Poem 2.1 Song of the Open Road

Analysis of the Poem

About Poet:-

               Walt Whitman was an American poet, Journalist and teacher by trade, Whitman is most known as Poet and Essayist. He is the among the most influential poets in American Canon. He took jobs in print shop, taught in school and worked in several newspaper. On July 1855 , he published his first volume of 12 poems named 'Leaves of Grass'. His another poem 'O Captain !My Captain ! was written on the death of Abraham Lincoln.

Analysis of the Poem:- 

First Stanza :- 

                      From the first stanza reader understands that the poet is setting out his journey on open road on foot. We also understand that poet is light hearted person and free to get experience. We also understand that it is he who control his journey. He will choose his own path where the path will take him on his journey

Second Stanza :- 

                      The speaker says that he does not need to pray to get best luck because he is the creator of good fortune himself. He is no longer cry. He is no longer hesitate to do what he wants. He is no longer contented with being walled inside because he is strong and happy to be on the open road.

Third Stanza :- 

                      In the third stanza Whitman used the reference of geographical imagery for e.g Earth and stars. Here the speaker seems to separate himself from other. He says Earth is fine the way it is; he does not desire to be go close to the stars than he already is. He also knows that they are fine where they are and he knows they are good enough for those who belong to them. Poet Whitman does not want to include himself in the group of those people who always try to influence on others.
Fourth Stanza :-
            The fourth stanza is physically separated form the rest of the poem by Whitman's use of parenthesis (bracket).Here the speaker admits that he is not without his problems, difficulties. Each and every person has its own problem so instead of fretting we have to relishes them (enjoy them).Speaker declares that it is impossible to get rid of them. He lives with his own delicious burden everywhere he goes or stays. No one can separate it form each other.

-: Summary :-

          The speaker of the poem is describing a trip on which he is embarking. He describes himself as being 'healthy and free' and he realizes he is the only person who is in complete control of his life. He chooses his own destiny. He also said he does not have wish to pray for good fortune because he is the creator of his good fortune himself. He will reach his destination on his own. and the earth will provide him with anything extra that is necessary. It does not mean the road ,he is taking is not paved with imperfection and burdens. He advises us rather than worry about it we take those burdens with us and deal with them as they occur.

-: Poetic Devices :-

Figure of speech

1) Alliteration

(In Alliteration the sound is repeated)

i) 'The long brown path before me leading wherever i choose

Exp:- The sound / l / is repeated

ii)Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms.

Exp:- The sound / k / is repeated

iii)I know they suffice for those who belong to them

Exp:- The sound / th / is repeated

iv) I carry them ,men and women, I carry them with me ..

Exp:- The sound / m / is repeated

2) Repetition

( In Repetition the whole world is repeated)

i)Henceforth I ask not good fortune, I myself am good fortune.

ii)Henceforth I whimper no more ,postpone no more need nothing.

iii)I know they are very well where they are

iv) I carry them ,men and women m I carry them with me..

v) I am fill'd with them, and i will fill them in return.

3) Inversion

( In it the correct word prose order is not used)

i) Afoot and light hearted I take to the open road.

Exp-  I take to the open road afoot and light hearted.

ii)Strong and content I travel the open road

Exp:- I travel the open road  strong and content.

4) Transferred Epithet:-

( In it epithet is transferred from the thing it actually describes to something else)

i) I carry my old delicious burdens

Exp:-The epithet 'delicious' is transferred from 'sweets' to 'burden'

                -: Poetic style:-

 Walt Whitman composed this poem in four stanzas. With the exception of first stanza which contains three lines, the other stanzas contain four line. Poem is composed in Free verse. The lines are unrhymed and varying lengths. 'Song of the Open Road' is written in first person point of view. Speaker of the poem is Whitman himself.

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