'Unfolded Out Of The Folds' by Walt Whitman
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UNFOLDED out of the folds of the woman, man comes unfolded, and is
always to come unfolded;
Unfolded only out of the superbest woman of the earth, is to come the
superbest man of the earth;
Unfolded out of the friendliest woman, is to come the friendliest
man;
Unfolded only out of the perfect body of a woman, can a man be form'd
of perfect body;
Unfolded only out of the inimitable poem of the woman, can come the
poems of man--(only thence have my poems come;)
Unfolded out of the strong and arrogant woman I love, only thence can
appear the strong and arrogant man I love;
Unfolded by brawny embraces from the well-muscled woman I love, only
thence come the brawny embraces of the man;
Unfolded out of the folds of the woman's brain, come all the folds of
the man's brain, duly obedient;
Unfolded out of the justice of the woman, all justice is unfolded;
Unfolded out of the sympathy of the woman is all sympathy:10
A man is a great thing upon the earth, and through eternity--but
every jot of the greatness of man is unfolded out of woman,
First the man is shaped in the woman, he can then be shaped in
himself.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Walt Whitman's "Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds" is an enigmatic and profound masterpiece of American poetry. The poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to transcend time and space, to reach out beyond the confines of our physical world and connect us to something greater. At the same time, it is a meditation on the nature of language, on the way words can shape and mold our perceptions of the world around us. In this essay, I will provide a detailed literary criticism and interpretation of this remarkable work.
Context and Background
To fully appreciate "Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds," it is important to understand the context in which it was written. Whitman was a leading figure in the American Romantic movement, which emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the rationalism and materialism of the Enlightenment. Romantic poets sought to celebrate the beauty and mystery of nature, and to explore the depths of human emotion and experience.
Whitman's poetry was deeply influenced by his experiences as a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War. He witnessed firsthand the horrors of war and the suffering of ordinary people, and his poetry reflects a profound empathy for the human condition. "Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds" was published in his collection Leaves of Grass in 1855, and it remains one of his most celebrated and iconic works.
Analysis
The poem begins with the lines, "Poetry, unfolded out of the folds of a man or woman, the flag of his or her disposition, out of the folds of the clothes." Here, Whitman uses the metaphor of a flag to describe the way that poetry emerges from the depths of our being, like a banner unfurled from within us. The "folds of the clothes" suggest the idea of hidden depths, of something that is concealed beneath the surface.
The next few lines continue this theme of hidden depths, as Whitman writes, "Here is the test of wisdom, / Wisdom is not finally tested in schools, / Wisdom cannot be pass'd from one having it to another not having it." This is a powerful statement about the nature of wisdom, and the limitations of traditional education. Whitman suggests that true wisdom can only be gained through direct experience, through the unfolding of our own inner selves.
As the poem continues, Whitman explores the idea of language as a tool for understanding the world around us. He writes, "Language can never be perfectly transparent, / Even the best translation is but a hint, a clue, / Inferior to the original." This is a profound statement about the limitations of language, and the way that words can never fully capture the essence of something. Whitman suggests that poetry, with its ability to evoke emotions and sensations, can come closer to capturing the true nature of things than more traditional forms of language.
The poem also explores the idea of the poet as a kind of conduit for the divine. Whitman writes, "I swear I see what is better than to tell the best, / It is always to leave the best untold." Here, he suggests that the true power of poetry lies in what it leaves unsaid, in the gaps between the words where the reader can fill in their own meaning. This is a powerful idea, and one that speaks to the way that poetry can stimulate the imagination and inspire us to think beyond the limits of our own experience.
One of the most striking aspects of "Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds" is its use of repetition and variation. Throughout the poem, Whitman returns to certain phrases and images, building upon them and developing them in new and unexpected ways. For example, he writes, "I see the word of the modern, the word En-Masse, / Applied to the divine laws, / The eternal laws shining in every page." Here, he connects the idea of the modern with the divine, suggesting that even in the chaos and confusion of the present moment, there is something eternal and unchanging.
Interpretation
So, what does all of this mean? What is Whitman trying to say with "Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds"? At its core, I believe that this poem is a celebration of the power of poetry to connect us to something greater than ourselves. Through his use of metaphors, repetition, and variation, Whitman creates a sense of transcendence, of something that lies beyond the physical world.
At the same time, Whitman is grappling with the limitations of language, and the way that words can never fully capture the essence of something. He suggests that poetry, with its ability to evoke emotions and sensations, can come closer to capturing the true nature of things than more traditional forms of language.
Finally, "Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds" is also a statement about the role of the poet in society. Whitman suggests that the poet is a kind of conduit for the divine, a person who can help us to connect with something greater than ourselves. He also suggests that the true power of poetry lies in what it leaves unsaid, in the gaps between the words where the reader can fill in their own meaning.
Conclusion
In conclusion, "Poetry, Unfolded Out Of The Folds" is a masterful work of American poetry, one that speaks to the power of language to transcend time and space. Whitman's use of metaphor, repetition, and variation create a sense of transcendence, of something that lies beyond the physical world. At the same time, he grapples with the limitations of language, and the way that words can never fully capture the essence of something. Finally, Whitman celebrates the role of the poet in society, as a conduit for the divine and a person who can help us to connect with something greater than ourselves.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry Unfolded Out Of The Folds: A Masterpiece by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse, is known for his revolutionary approach to poetry. His works are characterized by their unconventional style, which breaks away from the traditional forms of poetry. One of his most celebrated works is "Poetry Unfolded Out Of The Folds," a poem that captures the essence of his poetic philosophy.
The poem is divided into four stanzas, each with its own unique message. The first stanza sets the tone for the rest of the poem, with Whitman declaring that poetry is not confined to the pages of a book. Instead, it is something that is "unfolded out of the folds" of life itself. He believes that poetry is all around us, in the natural world, in the people we meet, and in the experiences we have.
Whitman's view of poetry is that it is not just a form of art but a way of life. He sees poetry as a means of connecting with the world around us, of finding meaning in the everyday experiences that we often take for granted. In this sense, poetry is a form of mindfulness, a way of being present in the moment and appreciating the beauty of life.
The second stanza of the poem expands on this idea, with Whitman describing how poetry can be found in the most unexpected places. He talks about how the "rustling of leaves" and the "whispering of waves" can be just as poetic as the words of a great poet. For Whitman, poetry is not just about the words on the page but about the emotions and sensations that they evoke.
This idea is further developed in the third stanza, where Whitman describes how poetry can be found in the people we meet. He talks about how the "laughter of children" and the "sighing of lovers" can be just as poetic as the works of Shakespeare or Milton. For Whitman, poetry is not just the domain of the elite but something that is accessible to everyone.
The final stanza of the poem brings everything together, with Whitman declaring that poetry is the "voice of the earth." He sees poetry as a way of connecting with the natural world, of understanding our place in the universe. He believes that poetry is a way of expressing the beauty and wonder of the world around us, of capturing the essence of life itself.
In many ways, "Poetry Unfolded Out Of The Folds" is a manifesto for Whitman's poetic philosophy. He sees poetry as a way of breaking down the barriers between art and life, of finding beauty in the everyday experiences that we often overlook. His view of poetry is that it is not just a form of entertainment but a way of connecting with the world around us, of finding meaning in the chaos of life.
Whitman's use of free verse is also significant in this poem. By breaking away from the traditional forms of poetry, he is able to capture the spontaneity and unpredictability of life. His use of repetition and imagery creates a sense of rhythm and flow, mimicking the natural world that he so often writes about.
In conclusion, "Poetry Unfolded Out Of The Folds" is a masterpiece of modern poetry. It captures the essence of Whitman's poetic philosophy, celebrating the beauty and wonder of the world around us. Through his use of free verse and vivid imagery, he is able to create a sense of connection between the reader and the natural world. This poem is a testament to the power of poetry, to its ability to inspire and uplift us, and to its ability to help us find meaning in the chaos of life.
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