Poet Walt Whitman was born in Westhills, Long Island on May 31, 1819. Despite a difficult and dull childhood in Brooklyn, Whitman completed his education at the age of eleven and took up various jobs for extra income. As a poet, he fearlessly tackled subjects and individuals in his works. In poems like “O Captain! My Captain!” and “To You,” Whitman skillfully uses punctuation and depicts dramatic elements to convey profound insights about life. This fearlessness and freedom to write anything he desired ultimately contributed to Whitman’s brilliance as a poet.
I believe that many poets sadly cannot afford the luxury of expressing themselves freely. In the poem “O Captain! My Captain!” the initial impression I had from its title was that a mate was informing the captain about an attack. However, upon reading it, I realized that the main idea of the poem was the mate expressing to the captain how their home is alive and prosperous, while the captain is deceased. The phrase “O Captain! My Captain” holds a deeper meaning beyond its literal interpretation, possibly suggesting that the captain may not be on a ship but instead in the army. The author conveys in this poem that no matter what actions or efforts are made, one cannot bring someone back to life. Another poem by Walt Whitman is entitled “To You.” Initially, based on the title alone, I thought the poem was about the poet writing to someone. However, it turns out that Whitman was actually upset with someone for looking at him without saying anything. I perceive the poet’s attitude in this poem to be annoyed or angry. After examining the poem, I now understand that the title implies a call for direct communication – if you have something to say, then say it. The theme of this poem encourages courage over fear.
In summary, Walt Whitman is a bold poet who fearlessly discusses various subjects. He employs dramatic elements such as death and confrontations to effectively convey his messages. Additionally, he incorporates phrases and words that carry profound literal significance, stimulating thought and encouraging learning.
