Songs of Parting and Whitman’s poetry from later years is particularly poignant in its acceptance of the oncoming specter of death. It seems that the atrocities of the Civil War made the poet all too familiar with scenes of passing, and his poetry is calm and accepting of death’s shadow. Whitman is sure of his survival through his works of poetry and prose, but the mentions of his fading health are touching and deeply saddening.
I shall go forth,
I shall traverse the States awhile, but I cannot tell wither or how long,
Perhaps soon some day or night while I am singing my voice will suddenly cease.
(As the Time Draws Nigh, 3-5)
Whitman realizes that he soon may not be able to continue writing poetry, that his weak health may prevent him from continuing his work as America’s poet. But he continues to press on, looking ahead to the future of an America that wholly embraces equality. Whitman looks forward to an America that realizes the civil rights of citizens of all races. He stands against the divisions of caste and the classical hierarchy of European monarchical rule. Through technology, such as the steamship, the telegraph and the newspaper, Whitman looks forward to a global, integrated world, much like our modern world today.
It is interesting to think of Whitman’s embrace of technology and the great push in advancements that have happened in the last twenty years, not to mention the last century. Today’s world is dependent on global communication, trade and business, and political negotiation. We cook international foods in our own kitchens, we instantly chat with men and women from around the globe. The internet is a force that spreads democracies in autocratic nations in a way that war and troops never could. Our cultural borders are constantly expanding and while the world grows smaller, our own lives grow richer because of it.
It is hard to imagine what poetry Whitman would pen in response to this globalization, but I am sure that he would be in the forefront of it all, bringing us into awareness of the changes in America occurring around us.
Would Whitman be one of the men walking down the streets of Philadelphia with his blackberry? Even so, I am sure he would be among the few of us to put his phone away to take a real look around.
“It is interesting to think of Whitman’s embrace of technology and the great push in advancements that have happened in the last twenty years, not to mention the last century.”
It makes me think of later poets such as Ginsburg who thought of the city as the new forest, the concrete jungle, and not necessarily in a bad way. I’m sure Ezra Pound would somehow fall in there, too.
I agree with your conclusion: Whitman would certainly appreciate the way the world has connected through technology, but would still want the “real world” to be experienced and felt – not just known about.
I believe you gave us something to think about. I too think he would be one of few people who would put their phone away and take a good look around, but what would he see except the people who did not put their phones away. And I do think that his poetry is very much alive and true today, but I must wonder, would he be thinking the same (and writing the same poetry) if he was to see the world today? I would really like to hear your oppinion on this.