The poems “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman and “Circles” by Ralph Waldo Emerson exemplify the broad character of American transcendentalism by embracing a wide range of ideas, interactions, and interconnectivity. By providing intellectual hospitality, these works encourage tolerance, challenge old standards, and embrace a broader viewpoint beyond socioeconomic divisions. Whitman’s poetic manifesto and Emerson’s search for new realities exhibit transcendentalist principles, such as the soul’s eternal evolution, the divine essence of nature, and all living creatures’ interconnection. This paper explores Walt Whitman’s poetry “Song of Myself” and Ralph Waldo Emerson’s poem “Circles,” highlighting their shared ideas of inclusiveness, defiance of limits, and interconnectivity.
Keeping Open House and Intellectual Hospitality in Whitman and Emerson
Robert Ingersoll’s words about “keeping an open house” and “being intellectually hospitable” in response to Walt Whitman and Emerson’s works demonstrate an openness to accept new ideas, viewpoints, and experiences. Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” praises the interconnectivity of all species by suggesting that they share common characteristics. This radical inclusivity, which embraces diversity, categorically rejects the idea of borders. Whitman’s poetry creates a pleasant and empathic environment by weaving together numerous identities and ideas.
In his work, “Nature,” Emerson calls for intellectual openness, claiming that nature is a reflection of God and a source of inspiration for human knowledge. Emerson believed people might freely interact with various forms of nature without preconceived notions or limitations. Intellectual hospitality is a more profound and inclusive viewpoint that goes beyond conventional ideas and acknowledges the spiritual interdependence of humanity and the natural environment. Whitman and Emerson’s worldviews are differentiated by their acknowledgment of the planet’s diversity and emphasis on free expression.
Walt Whitman’s Poetic Manifesto of American Democracy and Human Universality
Many scholars see Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” as the prototype poetry of American democracy since it captures the spirit of the democratic body politic and extols humanity’s universality in the universe. Whitman’s democratic ideal of interconnectedness and equality sparked this idea. The poem’s narrator, usually compared to Walt Whitman, pushes for democracy by saying that each particle in his possession is as valuable as others. This worldview emphasizes the equality of all people, regardless of social background.
The poem’s narrator represents the human experience by emphasizing that our common humanity unites us. This concept supports democratic principles of equality and shared humanity by highlighting that everyone has the same human experience. Whitman uses strong imagery and references to universalize. Grass is a common metaphor used in poetry to signify democratic equality. He urges people to join him in self-celebration, emphasizing the importance of doing so.
Kylan Rice’s extensive research of nineteenth-century female poets, inspired by Walt Whitman’s democratic aspirations in “Song of Myself,” sheds light on the significant hurdles female authors encountered to overcome gender norms. Rice emphasizes how these poets actively defied established conceptions of recall and forsaking attention by adopting literary gift economies. The article uses Letitia Elizabeth Landon’s poem “Medallion Wafers” to highlight humanity’s interconnectivity. Whitman’s focus on human nature is comparable to Landon’s criticism of society’s expectation of women’s reputations to include memorability. The confluence of an awareness of the shared human experience and respect for the diversity of experiences emphasizes human existence’s interdependence.
Grasses symbolize togetherness. She describes how grass arises from the earth and interacts with nearby blades. This piece of art embodies the philosophy that each person is essential and the interconnection of human experiences. The poem’s narrator uses a cataloging approach to recount many distinct identities and experiences, highlighting how these elements form the vivid fabric of human life. Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” explores the relationship between people and the environment. By embracing its natural surroundings, Hong, Soon-min, et al. emphasize Whitman’s democratic ideal that each individual, like the palace’s construction, is an intrinsic part of the organic whole. Like how Whitman’s poetry celebrates grass, the symbolism and location of the palace mimicking trees promote equality and shared experiences.
The poem uses cosmic imagery to underscore the universality of human emotions. Whitman’s evocative representations of the world, constellations, and interconnectedness indicate that each person is necessary for its functioning. This broad perspective on the world promotes the democratic notion that all persons, regardless of circumstance, are essential and equitable components of the human tale. “Song of Myself” employs literature to promote democracy, equality, shared experiences, and the universality of humanity.
Transcendental Threads: Emerson’s “Circles” and Whitman’s Poetic Exploration
Emerson’s “Circles” and Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” are transcendentalist works highlighting all things’ divine unity and interdependence. In nineteenth-century America, transcendentalism emphasized intuition, the religious character of nature, and the spiritual link. In “Circles,” Emerson explores the growth of reality in concentric rings, with each circle representing a discovery or understanding. This is congruent with transcendentalist concepts about the evolution of the mind and the interconnection of all living things.
The transcendentalist narrator of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” seeks divinity in all things and calls for democracy and human dignity. Emerson and Whitman advocate for a holistic and dynamic understanding of humanity and the universe. In “Circles,” Emerson describes how each ultimate reality is a new series constantly expanding and exposing new facts. Whitman extols the ever-expanding human experience by portraying a narrator open to the great variety of life and urges readers to embrace the possibilities inside themselves and others.
Both pieces show a transcendentalist belief in the divine essence of nature. Emerson believes everything includes the holy; thus, nature inspires and discloses. Whitman’s fondness for grass as a symbol of democracy and interdependence lends credibility to this claim. According to both writers, nature enables a connection with the divine and knowledge of humanity’s underlying truths. Emerson’s “Song of Myself” and Whitman’s “Circles” emphasize the interconnection of all beings, the soul’s perpetual evolution, and the divine quality of human experience and the natural universe.
Work Cited
Hong, Soon-min, et al. “Changdeokgung Palace Embraces Its Natural Surroundings.” Koreana: Korean Culture & Arts, vol. 18, no. 3, 2004, pp. 66-75. The Korea Foundation.
Rice, Kylan. “‘Bird, Jewel, or Flower?’: On the Tokenization of Nineteenth-Century Women’s Poetry.” ELH, vol. 90, no. 3, Fall 2023, pp. 767-798. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2023. https://doi.org/10.1353/elh.2023.a907208
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