Of the two poem's of Whitman's that we chose, I Sing The Body Electric caught my attention more. Whitman seems to be writing about the physical human body in this 9 stanza poem. He views it as the perfect vessel for the soul. And although it is a tool for the soul, as the soul cannot exist in the physical world alone, the body is just as sacred and flawless as the soul. He also implies that sex is the most sacred of activities, as it makes spiritual bonds between our souls, and it is the way to breed more bodies. This is interesting, because Christianity would strongly disagree with Whitman in this aspect.
For Adieu to a Soldier I am wondering is he talking about an actual soldier or just somebody that died. I think that it is about just someone who dies because a lot of those things that he says can be related to the challenges of life.
As for I Sing the Body Electric, wow Oliver, props on the analysis. I found it to be a rather sexual poem with him discussing the details of men and women which perfectly relates to romanticism. Was it really necessary for him to name every part of the body though? He probably could have stopped at nipples and breast milk.
"I Sing the Body Electric" translates into a 9 stanza poem about the body. And the hidden beauty in every part of the body no matter if it is a man or a woman. Also that such a thing of beauty should be respected and treated with grace.
Matt!! hahaha ok well I think that you're right about Adieu to a soldier being either for just someone who died or to an actual soldier. When I read it I thought that it was about someone who has overcome a lot in life, not neccessarily and actual soldier but definetly someone with a fighting personality.
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Of the two poem's of Whitman's that we chose, I Sing The Body Electric caught my attention more. Whitman seems to be writing about the physical human body in this 9 stanza poem. He views it as the perfect vessel for the soul. And although it is a tool for the soul, as the soul cannot exist in the physical world alone, the body is just as sacred and flawless as the soul. He also implies that sex is the most sacred of activities, as it makes spiritual bonds between our souls, and it is the way to breed more bodies. This is interesting, because Christianity would strongly disagree with Whitman in this aspect.
This has the emotional aspect of romanticism. Very good analysis and summary Oliver!
For Adieu to a Soldier I am wondering is he talking about an actual soldier or just somebody that died. I think that it is about just someone who dies because a lot of those things that he says can be related to the challenges of life.
As for I Sing the Body Electric, wow Oliver, props on the analysis. I found it to be a rather sexual poem with him discussing the details of men and women which perfectly relates to romanticism. Was it really necessary for him to name every part of the body though? He probably could have stopped at nipples and breast milk.
"I Sing the Body Electric" translates into a 9 stanza poem about the body. And the hidden beauty in every part of the body no matter if it is a man or a woman. Also that such a thing of beauty should be respected and treated with grace.
Matt!! hahaha
ok well I think that you're right about Adieu to a soldier being either for just someone who died or to an actual soldier. When I read it I thought that it was about someone who has overcome a lot in life, not neccessarily and actual soldier but definetly someone with a fighting personality.
I also believe that the soldier is more symbolic than literal. In that case, it is a powerful poem which embodies the challenges of life very well.
I Sing the Body Electric also emphasizes on beauty, in Whitman's opinion of course, an important aspect of romanticism.
What is white... and black... but only knows half the alphabet???
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