'As I Ponder'd In Silence' by Walt Whitman
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AS I ponder'd in silence,
Returning upon my poems, considering, lingering long,
A Phantom arose before me, with distrustful aspect,
Terrible in beauty, age, and power,
The genius of poets of old lands,
As to me directing like flame its eyes,
With finger pointing to many immortal songs,
And menacing voice, What singest thou? it said;
Know'st thou not, there is but one theme for ever-enduring bards?
And that is the theme of War, the fortune of battles,10
The making of perfect soldiers?
Be it so, then I answer'd,
I too, haughty Shade, also sing war--and a longer and greater one
than any,
Waged in my book with varying fortune--with flight, advance, and
retreat--Victory deferr'd and wavering,
(Yet, methinks, certain, or as good as certain, at the last,)--The
field the world;
For life and death--for the Body, and for the eternal Soul,
Lo! too am come, chanting the chant of battles,
I, above all, promote brave soldiers.
Editor 1 Interpretation
Poetry, As I Ponder'd In Silence: An Analysis of Walt Whitman's Classic
Poetry, As I Ponder'd In Silence is a remarkable expression of Walt Whitman's poetic style. In this poem, he explores the themes of nature, self-discovery, and spirituality. The poem is a reflection of Whitman’s thoughts and contemplations on the meaning of life and the role of poetry in his life. As a literary work, it has fascinated scholars and readers alike for generations.
Form and Structure
The poem is structured in two parts, each with 15 lines, and is written in free verse. The first part describes Whitman’s surroundings in nature, while the second part explores the speaker's inner thoughts and feelings. The poem has eight stanzas, each with two lines, and it has no rhyme scheme.
Whitman's use of free verse is a key element of this poem. By not adhering to the traditional rules of poetry, he is able to give his words a sense of fluidity and freedom. The absence of a rhyme scheme also contributes to the poem's sense of openness, allowing Whitman to explore complex ideas in a way that would be difficult to achieve with a more structured form.
Themes
One of the primary themes of Poetry, As I Ponder'd In Silence is the connection between nature and spirituality. Throughout the poem, Whitman describes the natural world in vivid detail, using his observations of the world around him to reflect on the nature of existence. He sees the natural world as a source of wisdom and insight, and the poem suggests that by engaging with nature, one can gain a greater understanding of the self and the world.
Another key theme of the poem is the role of poetry itself. Whitman sees poetry as a powerful tool for self-discovery and self-expression, and he believes that it has the power to connect people to each other and to the world around them. He sees poetry as a means of exploring the mysteries of human existence, and as a way of achieving a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.
Interpretation
One of the most striking aspects of this poem is its sense of intimacy. Whitman's use of first-person perspective gives the poem a sense of personal reflection, as if he is sharing his innermost thoughts and feelings with the reader. This creates a sense of closeness between the speaker and the reader, drawing the reader into the poem’s world.
The poem is also notable for its vivid imagery. Whitman describes the natural world in detail, using sensory details to create a rich, evocative picture of the world around him. This technique allows the reader to experience the natural world in a visceral way, and it helps to convey the sense of wonder and awe that the speaker feels when contemplating the world around him.
One of the most interesting aspects of the poem is the way that Whitman uses language to explore complex ideas. He often uses metaphor and symbolism to convey his ideas, and he frequently uses repetition to emphasize key themes and ideas. For example, in the second part of the poem, he repeats the phrase "I am silent," emphasizing the idea of introspection and self-examination.
Conclusion
Poetry, As I Ponder'd In Silence is a powerful example of Walt Whitman's poetic style. Through his use of free verse, vivid imagery, and personal reflection, he creates a world that is both intimate and expansive, exploring themes of nature, self-discovery, and spirituality. The poem is a testament to the power of poetry as a means of exploring the mysteries of human existence, and it continues to captivate readers and scholars to this day.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
As I Ponder'd In Silence: A Masterpiece of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman, the father of free verse poetry, is known for his unconventional style of writing. His poem "As I Ponder'd in Silence" is a masterpiece that captures the essence of his unique style. The poem is a reflection of Whitman's thoughts on life, death, and the universe. In this article, we will analyze and explain the poem in detail.
The poem begins with the speaker pondering in silence. The silence represents the stillness of the mind, where one can reflect on the deeper meaning of life. The speaker is not just thinking about his own life but is contemplating the universe as a whole. He is trying to understand the purpose of existence and the meaning of life.
The first stanza of the poem sets the tone for the rest of the poem. The speaker says, "As I ponder'd in silence, / Returning upon my poems, considering, lingering long, / A Phantom arose before me with distrustful aspect." The speaker is revisiting his own poems and reflecting on his own thoughts. He is trying to understand the meaning behind his own words. The "Phantom" that arises before him represents doubt and uncertainty. The speaker is questioning the validity of his own thoughts and ideas.
In the second stanza, the speaker says, "Terrible in beauty, age, and power, / The old mother shrouded in white, / Deign'd me a token, / (As it came to me just then through the twigs of the budding lilac.)" Here, the speaker is referring to Mother Nature, who is both beautiful and powerful. The "old mother shrouded in white" represents the snow that covers the earth during winter. The speaker sees this as a token from Mother Nature, a sign that life is cyclical and that death is a natural part of the cycle.
The third stanza of the poem is where the speaker begins to contemplate the meaning of life. He says, "And yet if you should forget me, / What will you do with all your foolish traditions? / The land and sea, the animals, fishes, and birds, the sky of heaven and the orbs, / The forests, mountains, and rivers, are not these, O Soul, the Vision of Him who reigns?" The speaker is questioning the purpose of life. He wonders what the point of existence is if we are all forgotten in the end. He then goes on to say that everything in the world, including the land, sea, animals, and sky, are all part of a greater vision. This vision is that of a higher power, which the speaker refers to as "Him who reigns."
In the fourth stanza, the speaker says, "And of the rights of them the others are down upon, / Of the deform'd, trivial, flat, foolish, despised, / Fog in the air, beetles rolling balls of dung." Here, the speaker is referring to the marginalized members of society. He is saying that even those who are considered "deform'd, trivial, flat, foolish, despised" have a right to exist. The "fog in the air" and "beetles rolling balls of dung" represent the insignificant things in life that are often overlooked. The speaker is saying that even these things have a purpose and a right to exist.
In the fifth stanza, the speaker says, "Through me forbidden voices, / Voices of sexes and lusts, voices veil'd, and I remove the veil, / Voices indecent by me clarified and transfigur'd." Here, the speaker is referring to the taboo subjects of sex and lust. He is saying that these topics are often considered forbidden, but he is willing to explore them. The speaker believes that by exploring these topics, he can clarify and transfigure them.
In the sixth stanza, the speaker says, "I do not press my fingers across my mouth, / I keep as delicate around the bowels as around the head and heart, / Copulation is no more rank to me than death is." Here, the speaker is saying that he is not afraid to speak his mind. He is willing to explore all aspects of life, including sex and death. The speaker believes that these topics are not taboo and should be explored openly.
In the seventh stanza, the speaker says, "I believe in the flesh and the appetites, / Seeing, hearing, feeling, are miracles, and each part and tag of me is a miracle." Here, the speaker is celebrating the human body and its senses. He believes that the ability to see, hear, and feel are miracles. The speaker is saying that every part of the human body is a miracle in itself.
In the eighth stanza, the speaker says, "Divine am I inside and out, and I make holy whatever I touch or am touch'd from, / The scent of these arm-pits is aroma finer than prayer, / This head is more than churches or bibles or creeds." Here, the speaker is saying that he is divine both inside and out. He believes that everything he touches or is touched by is holy. The speaker is saying that his body is more sacred than any church, bible, or creed.
In the ninth stanza, the speaker says, "If I worship one thing more than another it shall be the spread of my own body, or any part of it, / Translucent mould of me it shall be you!" Here, the speaker is saying that he worships his own body. He believes that his body is a work of art and should be celebrated. The speaker is saying that his body is a reflection of his soul.
In the final stanza, the speaker says, "Swiftly arose and spread around me the peace and knowledge that pass all the argument of the earth, / And I know that the hand of God is the promise of my own, / And I know that the spirit of God is the brother of my own." Here, the speaker is saying that he has found peace and knowledge in his contemplation. He believes that the hand of God is a promise of his own existence. The speaker is saying that the spirit of God is his brother, meaning that he is connected to a higher power.
In conclusion, "As I Ponder'd in Silence" is a masterpiece of Walt Whitman. The poem captures the essence of his unique style and reflects his thoughts on life, death, and the universe. The poem celebrates the human body and its senses while exploring taboo subjects such as sex and lust. The speaker believes that everything in the world, including the marginalized members of society, has a purpose and a right to exist. The poem is a reflection of Whitman's philosophy of life, which celebrates the individual and the universe as a whole.
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