Non-fiction / Leaves of Grass - Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman has become a favorite of mine for the very purpose of me writing this assignment. Whitman was a very liberal gentleman for his day. At a time when political and social stature seemed to define the nation, along comes a man that defies the norm, and settled into his own beliefs of equality and human kindness.
More so than any other writer, I believe Walt Whitman rallied for what could be considered a pre-woman’s lib campaign. He was well aware of a woman’s place in society – a place in the forefront of humanity, with just as much acclaim for life, if not more, than any man; however, Whitman was a wise individual. The mystery of life; with all that it entailed, and absorbed, was a credit to both man, and woman – two souls, one spirit, to whom a multitude of races were born.
Throughout Walt Whitman’s work in Leaves of Grass, we catch glimpses of his interpretation of life, and how he is representative of “all men and all women.” In Song of Myself (v.1, pg. 23), Whitman immediately pays homage to those that are credited to his existence,
“Born here of parents born from parents the same, and their parents the same…”
From one line, Whitman has traced his lineage to past generations of forefathers, and foremothers; he is but a mere compilation within the circle of life.
A few verses later (v.6, pg. 27), Whitman admits further to his connection of man and woman,
“And that all the men ever born are also my brothers, and the women my sisters and lovers…”
There is a harmonious synch in these words, as the respect for each gender is of heartfelt love and genuine desire to respect the relationship of each that he has encountered or will forthcoming.
In Song of the Open Road, we envisage a man [Walt Whitman], to whom the path of self-righteousness and “good fortune” has clearly made it possible to embrace and appreciate all that is around him. His existence is an animation of a life led with few worries, and even fewer complications. The good is sought in every being, just as it is within him,
“All seems beautiful to me, and I can repeat over to men and women You have done such good to me I would do the same for you, I will recruit for you, and myself as I go, I will scatter myself among men and women as I go…..”
“…whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me…”
(v. 5, pg. 126)
Whitman understands the importance of equality. He is light years ahead of his time, yet well within the realm of honesty, character, and integrity. He will defend the honor of humanity; not because of the roles persons may hold in society, or the restraint of those held captive, but for a people that he tolerates with little, if any, anxiety or burden. He “chooses” to intercept the lives of man and woman as separate, but of an equal and deserving happenstance.
Verse eight (pg. 127), can be interpreted in several ways; however, the formula of intimacy is the first thing that comes to mind. The “fluid”, in this case, is the eternalizing effect of man and woman – without end. The love that is shared is passed from birth, on through to death; however, Whitman uses one word, “attaching”, to describe the fact that not one person born is ever lost, or left behind in the grand scheme of things, per say
Walt Whitman reveals that even as a young boy, he sought clarity and reason for life in the grand scope of existence. In Out of the Cradle Rocking Endlessly, he prevails behind curious eyes at the unity between two birds, male and female,
“Two feathered guests from Alabama, two together, And their nest, and four light-green eggs spotted with brown, and every day the he-bird to and fro near at hand, And every day the she-bird crouch’d on her nest, silent with bright eyes….”
(pg. 209)
The perception of such a child reveals the man, behind the boy, in Whitman’s youth. The birds, although not human, are a self-portrait depicting the natural order of occurrences and circumstances originating from the power of two – male and female.
The power of two, between man and woman, is not a replete contribution to a relationship amongst humans. Passage to India, reveals a natural mystic of convictions and declarations that summarize Whitman’s existence in accordance with earth, and nature. His will is revealed through God’s plan,
“Lo, soul, seest thou not God’s purpose from the first? The earth to be spann’d, connected by network…” (vs. 2, pg. 341)
Here, Whitman implies that the masses are a result of the joining of two or more. He isn’t afraid to admit that as a vestibule of life on earth, he is a product of;
“The races, neighbors, to marry and be given in marriage, The oceans to be cross’d, the distant brought near, the lands to be welded together.”
(vs. 2, pg. 341)
Eternity is a blessed union of one, and all that becomes enveloped in the circle of life. In the continuous scope of reality, and without obvious human gender specification, Whitman has implied;
“Nature and Man shall be disjoin’d and diffused no more, The true son of God shall absolutely fuse them together.”
(vs. 5, pg. 344)
Isn’t it true, that nature is referred to as “mother” – a female, indirectly? Again, it is revealed that the act of merging, or cohesiveness of all men and all women implies ALL is one…and one, is ALL – thus, the fundamentals, essentials, and origins of Walt Whitman; and you and I, alike.
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Many people are jealous of their essays, I was curious that you were open to publishing yours on the net. Now I see why: your writing is lucid and seems heartfelt. If I was doubtful that it would be published in a literary magazine it is only because it doesn’t seem as complicated and incomprehensible as I have found those articles to be. I would like to see you attempt a longer work, would it be as perceptive as this?
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The first sentence can be taken the wrong way: it comes off as Walt Whitman is your favorite because you were forced to do an assignment. Watch tense shift: in the second sentence, you switch from past tense to present tense. The point of your thesis is a good one, but I believe it would have benefited from being a bit more direct: as it is, it seems theoretical. You need to relate each of your quotes back to the thesis, and I don’t see this relation for the first one. Try relating it in the same way as you related the second one.
A helpful technique in using quotes is to refer to phrases in the quote in your explantion. This would have helped the third quote in its power: using “men and women” in quotes would reinforce Whitman’s point. After this, I begin to doubt if these quotes are truly the best for supporting your thesis. You don’t even refer to the gender issue for the “Lo, soul…” quote. I do like the allusion you use to explain the last quote, but I would have liked to see more explanation.
Your paper glushes. This might be ok in a class where the teacher is trying to expose you to “the first American author” but it does not work with a wider audience or higher level collage classes. Unless the person has just died and you are writing an ode, you should have some criticism since they are human.
In an academic paper you should never use the word I. Let your paper stand on the ideas and facts it presents as your opinion has no more weight then anybody else’s. If you do present an opinion that person must have authority that lends his opinion weight.
Avoid clichés, “He is light years ahead of his time.”
You should use “Walt Whitman” once in the first reference to his name. There after just use his last name.
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