This poem could easily be interpreted as regret associated to loss of youth and old age:
And else when I carous'd, or when my plans were accomplish'd, still I was not happy,
But the day when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health, refresh'd, singing, inhaling the ripe breath of autumn,
It begins by stating though famous and now everyone, including, politicians accept him because of many achievements he is unhappy when going to the beach at night. After announcing he is "not happy" twice, the next line reads, "when I rose at dawn from the bed of perfect health." This remark begins the story composing the majority of the poem.
The idea of people making personal sacrifices for life achievement is cliche in modern society. Many people claim they could have gotten married or they could have done this or that, yet the challenges related to success kept them alone.
Reminiscing over his life, as a younger man, the story unfolds. He remembers happily inhaling autumn, symbolizing effortlessly experiencing every moment. "And the next came with equal joy, and with the next at evening came my friend." The story becomes less symbolic when describing his relationship with another man. "In the stillness in the autumn moonbeams his face was inclined toward me."
Beyond being too busy or critical to find a wife, his life as a homosexual or bisexual man was hidden; therefore, dismissing a chance at true love in order to belong. From a Quaker family, the thought of being gay might be inconceivable, yet he was openly gay and people still adore his poetic contributions and life philosophies. Only one thing is missing, companionship.
The sharp comparison of the opening stanza and last line, "And his arm lay lightly around my breast-and that night I was happy," infers this is not a poem of regret. Whitman does not regret his life; instead, it is an epiphany realizing what made him happy is companionship and companionship will make him happy again, even though an old man.
Quirky Books
Walt Whitman on Death and Dying by Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman wasn't openly gay.
ReplyDeleteMost, yet not all biographies mention he was either gay or bisexual and know for having relationships with men. You can even look it up with a quick internet search. :) (Probably the only classes without a mention are for teens under the age of 18 years old.)
ReplyDeleteThis is so interesting. Does this poem argue against Whitman's "O me! O Life!" or does it simply specify what he means by it? At first glace the two seem to contradict one another.
ReplyDeleteOn the beach at night alone final two lines summary
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