In this paper the author concentrates on one of Walt Whitman's most important poems: "Song of Myself" ,which is an exploration of the author himself, nature and his surroundings ,especially the symbolism of "grass" in it.
The author starts by classifying Leaves of Grass in American Literature, and to put the title of the book in context with the usage of grass in the poem. In the main part of the paper she is of course going to focus on the grass, how it is used and what it means, spanning themes of individuality, knowability of nature and ecology, also using theoretical approaches by Greg Garrard, W.J.T. Mitchell and Lawrence Buell.
Whitman tries to abstractly answer those questions for himself, especially considering how frail Americans must’ve felt on the brink of the Civil War and over the controversy of the slave trade. The theory brought forward is that the grass in the poem symbolizes humanity and life, but also death and decay, which is in one way a stark contrast. But then again, it also makes total sense after having read the whole poem, because it all connects in the life span of a human being.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. Leaves of Grass as a ground-breaking American story
3. The role of grass in Song of myself
3.1 Individuality as a spear of grass
3.2 Knowability of Nature
3.3 Usage of symbols and ecology in the poem
5. Conclusion
6. References
Objectives and Topics
This paper examines the symbolism of "grass" in Walt Whitman's poem "Song of Myself," exploring how it serves as a central motif for life, death, and human individuality. By applying ecocritical perspectives, the research aims to demonstrate how Whitman uses nature not merely as a setting, but as a medium for philosophical inquiry into the human condition and the interconnectedness of all living things.
- Analysis of "grass" as a symbol for life, death, and the cycle of decay and rebirth.
- Examination of individuality and the role of the self within the broader social collective.
- Interpretation of the narrator's approach to the "knowability of nature."
- Evaluation of the poem as an "environmental text" using theories by Greg Garrard, W.J.T. Mitchell, and Lawrence Buell.
- Exploration of Whitman’s connection to nature and his revolutionary literary style.
Excerpt from the book
3.1 Individuality as a spear of grass
One first comes across the term “spear” in the fifth line of Song of Myself: “I lean and loafe at my ease….observing a spear of summer grass.” (Whitman 1). I argue he is observing the grass because it shows the parallels to the actions and thoughts of human beings. He is pondering the meaning of humans and especially his own purpose on earth. This expression is also used at the very beginning of the poem when the author could use a different expression for a single “piece” of grass. In my opinion the word spear is used deliberately – it could also mean the weapon spear. I think it means that the spear is fighting on his own against the “host” of the other spears of grass. This could be the parallel to society and to the individual Whitman is aiming for.
All the single spears of grass together make a meadow– meaning there is always a group of people you can depend on, like your close family and friends. But in the end of the day everybody fights their own fight in life. One can get help from them, but one must live their own life, no one can do it for another person.
If one thinks even more abstract, if a spear of grass gets mown down what happens with the other grass around it? Usually it’s torn down as well because it’s really hard to just cut down one specific piece of grass. In comparison confronted with the death of a best friend or relative a human being gets torn down as well. Usually there’s a grief period (longer or shorter, it usually depends on the relationship between the dead and the mourning person) but most often the person gets over it eventually and in many cases, comes out even stronger. So is the matter with grass, it grows again most times.
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter introduces the significance of Walt Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" and identifies "Song of Myself" as the primary object of analysis, outlining the research focus on the symbolism of grass and its connection to life and death.
2. Leaves of Grass as a ground-breaking American story: This section provides context for Whitman's work, discussing his rejection of traditional Transcendentalist labels and his revolutionary use of free verse and modern themes in nineteenth-century American literature.
3. The role of grass in Song of myself: This chapter forms the core analysis, dissecting how grass functions as a metaphor for individuality, the narrator's struggle to know nature, and the broader ecological connections between human existence and the environment.
3.1 Individuality as a spear of grass: This part analyzes the specific metaphor of the "spear of grass" to illustrate the relationship between the individual and society, drawing parallels to human growth, death, and resilience.
3.2 Knowability of Nature: This subchapter examines the sixth paragraph of the poem to highlight the narrator's lack of absolute knowledge about nature and his reliance on guessing and tropes to engage the reader's imagination.
3.3 Usage of symbols and ecology in the poem: This section synthesizes ecocritical theories by Garrard, Mitchell, and Buell to categorize the poem as an environmental text and explore Whitman's deep adoration of the natural world.
5. Conclusion: The conclusion summarizes the main findings, emphasizing that Whitman’s work serves as a hopeful vision for humanity, where grass remains a potent symbol for the cyclical nature of life and death.
6. References: This section lists the academic sources, including critical guides and literary theories, used to support the analysis of the poem.
Keywords
Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, Leaves of Grass, Symbolism, Grass, Nature, Individuality, Ecocriticism, Life and Death, Cycle of life, American Renaissance, Poetry, Transcendentalism, Environment, Human-nature relationship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper primarily explores the symbolism of "grass" in Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself," analyzing how it serves as a lens to discuss life, death, and human purpose.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The central themes include the interconnection between humans and nature, the individual's role in society, the cycle of life and death, and the philosophical search for meaning.
What is the primary goal of the author in this analysis?
The author aims to investigate how Whitman uses the symbol of grass to express his views on the human condition and to verify if the poem qualifies as an environmental text based on academic criteria.
Which scientific or literary methods are applied?
The paper utilizes close reading of the poem combined with ecocritical theory, incorporating perspectives from scholars such as Greg Garrard, W.J.T. Mitchell, and Lawrence Buell.
What does the main part of the analysis cover?
The main part covers the metaphorical significance of "spears of grass," the narrator's humble approach to nature's complexity, and the broader ecological implications of Whitman's landscape descriptions.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, symbolism, nature, ecocriticism, life and death, and individuality.
How does the author interpret the term "spear of grass"?
The author interprets "spear" as a deliberate choice, suggesting it reflects both the individual's struggle for survival and their parallel role within the collective meadow of society.
Why does the author classify Whitman as an environmental poet?
The author argues that Whitman meets Lawrence Buell's requirements for an environmental text because nature is central to his work and is used to express deep philosophical connections rather than serving as a mere background.
What does the paper conclude about Whitman’s view on death?
The paper concludes that Whitman viewed death not as an end, but as a necessary component of the life cycle that fertilizes new growth, ultimately reflecting an optimistic worldview.
- Citar trabajo
- Teresa Ruß (Autor), 2017, Grass As a Symbol For Life and Death in Walt Whitman's "Song of myself", Múnich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/459907
