Speaker’s Representation of the Power of Nature through His Supporting Vision of American Democracy in Song of Myself by Walt Whitman
Poetry collection Leaves of Grass composed by Walt Whitman reveals the idea of man`s purging closeness to nature and other human beings as its inseparable part. Through different imagery and diverse topics author, in a simple way, represents complicated philosophical notions and external connection of everything and everyone. Throughout the whole poetry collection every verse of every poem turns into illuminating cosmic and mysterious way of man`s living, rather than highly romanticized vision of nature or world. This realistic and enchanting cosmic connection can be clearly seen in Song of Myself, where Whitman touches fragile notions of spiritual existence along with inner turmoil. Moreover, it is only the supporting theme that is present in this diverse and complicated yet simple poem. Besides unique free verse style and stylistic devices that build strong ground for power of nature Whitman uses speaker in the unusual way. Through speaker Whitman conveys his own vision of American Democracy. The subtle unity of man with nature reveals author`s democratic perception of life. Only with further analyses of Song of Myself and the significant role of the speaker one can see the unity of contradicting notions like individual independence and people`s unity, city life and nature. All these contradicting and diverse notions build up democratic vision of the world`s development.
The first and the most prominent feature of Song of Myself can be found in its lacking or even absence of skeleton story. The main idea that unite and interweave all author`s thoughts and intentions is build up from smaller ones, thus creating strong background for theme of nature and American Democracy. Due to the constant movement and velocity of thoughts and emotions of the speaker reader may see the firm and unique lyrical center of this poem. This constant stir reflects not only speaker`s muses and emotional states but also American mentality as well as democratic development of country. Due to the constant repetition of “me”, “I”, “myself”, etc. author shifts speaker-reader roles and involves reader into living and feeling every emotion and thought through, as if it belongs to the reader. Also, in this poem Whitman presents contradicting notions of individualism and self-independence together with notion of unity and cohesion which can be seen in these lines
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” (Whitman)
It can be justified and explained by his democratic vision of the world as well as America. Additionally, in these lines can be seen his mentality of an American that manifests freedom of individuality accompanied with equality of everyone. This theme of American Democracy suddenly arises at the first lines of the poem but later, as poem continues to unfold, it gives way to celebrating speaker`s birth and eternal connection with his ancestors and people in general. This cohesion makes claim that everyone is connected by nature and is from the beginning united which creates hidden interaction and in some way dependence of these two notions and themes of Democracy and Nature. It can be seen in these lines
“My tongue, every atom of my blood, form'd from this soil, this air,Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,” (Whitman)
Furthermore, speaker does not concentrate his attention on one subject of unity between people. He shifts accents on other main theme of people`s connection with nature and its sacred and vital position in man`s world as well as in soul. In lines
Houses and rooms are full of perfumes, the shelves are crowded with perfumes,The distillation would intoxicate me also, but I shall not let it. (Whitman)
Also, constant shifting of main themes and imagery illuminates different aspects and angles of democracy. Thus, beautiful description of nature suggests the common sense of aesthetic which reflects their treatment of nature, as well as, their agreement in it.
There is the other trick that is aimed at engaging reader not only into presence and observation of unbreakable connection of everything and everyone but also into its direct participation which can be clearly seen in these lines
I am there, I help, I came stretch'd atop of the load,I felt its soft jolts, one leg reclined on the other,I jump from the cross-beams and seize the clover and timothy, (Whitman)
Constant usage of “I” along with transfiguration into different people from various spheres of work gives reader clearer understanding of the American ‘face’. This diversity of image in its turn once more highlights the main notions and unwritten rules of democratic vision which reveal the interaction and interlacement of different people regardless their financial, racial or social status. For example
The negro holds firmly the reins of his four horses, The negro that drives the long dray of the stone-yard, steady and tall he stands pois'd on one leg on the string-piece, (Whitman)
All things considered, author uses not only unusual free verse style but also mixes cosmic notions of existence, beauty of nature and democratic vision of the world`s development. This mixture, connection and interaction of all things together at the same time creates truly believable and true-to-life image of not only American society but also poet`s perception of this society. Through contradicting notions like man vs. nature and crowd vs. individual Whitman reveals the essence of democratic life style where everything can be united. It is clearly seen that all are united but at the same time independent.
References
Whitman, Walt. "Whitman's "Song of Myself"". English.illinois.edu. N.p., 2016. Web. 1 Feb. 2016.
