'Visor 'd' by Walt Whitman

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A MASK--a perpetual natural disguiser of herself,
Concealing her face, concealing her form,
Changes and transformations every hour, every moment,
Falling upon her even when she sleeps.

Editor 1 Interpretation

Introduction

Visor'd is an iconic poem written by Walt Whitman, one of the most celebrated poets of the 19th century. In this poem, Whitman reflects on the complexities of identity and the masks that we wear to hide our true selves. The poem is filled with vivid imagery and powerful metaphors that make it a timeless piece of literature. In this literary criticism, we will delve into the themes and literary devices used in this poem to gain a deeper understanding of Whitman's message.

Analysis

Structure

Visor'd is a freeverse poem with no specific rhyme scheme or meter. The poem is divided into three stanzas, with each stanza containing six lines. The lack of structure in the poem gives it a natural flow, allowing the reader to focus on the message rather than the form. The repetition of the phrase "visor'd in front" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem.

Themes

Identity

The theme of identity is central to Visor'd. Whitman explores the idea of how we present ourselves to the world and how we hide our true selves behind masks. The persona in the poem is "visor'd in front" which means that their true identity is hidden behind a mask. This mask represents the persona that we create to fit in with society's expectations. Whitman questions whether we can ever truly be ourselves when we are constantly trying to hide behind masks.

Appearance vs Reality

Another theme that Whitman explores in Visor'd is appearance vs reality. The persona in the poem is "visor'd in front" which means that their appearance is not a true reflection of their reality. The mask that they wear hides their true self and creates a false identity. Whitman uses vivid imagery to highlight how appearance can be deceiving, "Behind the silk velvet, the shimmering jewels, and the white hair, I see the same figure, I feel the same flesh and blood as ever." This line shows that despite the appearance of wealth and status, the persona is still the same person underneath.

Society's Expectations

Whitman also explores the pressure that society places on individuals to conform to their expectations. The persona in the poem wears a mask to fit in with society's expectations of how they should behave and look. Whitman questions whether we can ever truly break free from these expectations and be ourselves. He writes, "The same old heart and brain, the same old courage and daring." This line shows that despite the persona's attempts to fit in, they are still the same person underneath.

Literary Devices

Metaphors

Whitman uses powerful metaphors throughout Visor'd to create vivid imagery and convey his message. The mask that the persona wears is a metaphor for the false identity that we create to fit in with society's expectations. The mask hides our true selves and creates a barrier between us and the world. Whitman writes, "The mask I cunningly carved to hide my face." This line shows how the mask is a deliberate creation meant to hide the persona's true self.

Repetition

The repetition of the phrase "visor'd in front" at the beginning of each stanza creates a sense of unity and continuity throughout the poem. This repetition emphasizes the theme of identity and the masks that we wear to hide our true selves. It also creates a sense of rhythm and flow that makes the poem easy to read and understand.

Imagery

Whitman uses vivid imagery throughout Visor'd to create a sense of atmosphere and convey his message. The image of the persona wearing a mask is a powerful one that creates a sense of mystery and intrigue. Whitman also uses imagery to contrast the appearance of the persona with their true self. He writes, "Behind the silk velvet, the shimmering jewels, and the white hair, I see the same figure, I feel the same flesh and blood as ever." This line creates a sense of contrast between appearance and reality, highlighting the theme of appearance vs reality.

Conclusion

Visor'd is a powerful poem that explores the complexities of identity and the masks that we wear to hide our true selves. Whitman uses powerful metaphors, vivid imagery and repetition to convey his message and create a sense of unity throughout the poem. The themes of identity, appearance vs reality and society's expectations are all central to the poem and are still relevant today. Visor'd is a timeless piece of literature that will continue to inspire and resonate with readers for generations to come.

Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation

Walt Whitman's "Poetry Visor'd" is a classic poem that captures the essence of poetry and its power to transform the world. This poem is a celebration of the beauty and power of poetry, and it is a call to all poets to embrace their craft and use it to make a difference in the world.

The poem begins with the line, "Poetry visor'd, welcome, indeed, you come!" This line sets the tone for the rest of the poem, which is a welcoming of poetry and its ability to inspire and transform. The use of the word "visor'd" is interesting because it suggests that poetry is hiding something, that it has a hidden power that is waiting to be unleashed.

Whitman goes on to describe poetry as a "mighty mother" who gives birth to "new worlds and forms." This is a powerful image that suggests that poetry has the ability to create new worlds and to shape the world we live in. Whitman is saying that poetry is not just a form of entertainment or a way to express oneself, but that it has the power to change the world.

The poem then takes a turn as Whitman describes the challenges that poets face. He says that poets are often misunderstood and that their work is often dismissed as frivolous or unimportant. He says that poets are often "mock'd and sneer'd" at, and that they are often seen as "idle dreamers."

Despite these challenges, Whitman encourages poets to continue their work. He says that poetry is "the voice of the soul" and that it has the power to "rouse the world." He encourages poets to be bold and to use their voices to speak out against injustice and to inspire others to do the same.

Whitman then goes on to describe the power of poetry to heal and to bring people together. He says that poetry has the ability to "soothe the savage breast" and to bring peace to troubled hearts. He says that poetry has the power to unite people from different backgrounds and to create a sense of community.

The poem ends with a call to action. Whitman encourages poets to use their voices to make a difference in the world. He says that poetry has the power to "make the world better" and that it is the responsibility of poets to use their craft to bring about positive change.

Overall, "Poetry Visor'd" is a powerful poem that celebrates the beauty and power of poetry. It is a call to all poets to embrace their craft and to use it to make a difference in the world. Whitman's use of imagery and language is masterful, and his message is as relevant today as it was when he wrote this poem over a century ago.

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