Literary Analysis of Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun by Whitman - Essay Example

Literary Analysis of “Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun” by Whitman

Walt Whitman wrote a letter to William O’Connor, a self-proclaimed radical in January 1865. The letter contains the utterances related to the Drum-Taps poetry collection, where he states in the line, “delivers my ambition…to address… the pending action of this time and land we swim in, with all despair…. The unprecedented anguish of the suffering of your beautiful young men, in wholesale death and agony.”

There is a complete differentiation with the views expressed with the declaration of the poetry collection, which comes to life “the blast of the trumpet and the undertones of…comradeship and human love, with the clear notes of faith and triumph”. (Bradley, 765).

Through the literary analysis of “Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun” by Whitman, which was part and parcel of the Drum-Taps in 1865, it portrays a vivid description of the emotional attachment with the experiences in New York City during the Civil War. There were various discussions and examinations taking place geared towards the efforts by the different citizens. The work on the American Renaissance shows a rooted perception with the description of suffering from the quest to become a volunteer nurse amid the Civil War.

It was through these acts that lead to the formation of the infamous poetry collection. Whitman’s stay in Manhattan introduces us to the “sounds of the trumpets and drums’ line 30, while line 39 shows “the rustle and clang of muskets.” It also showcases the witness as per line (31) with “the soldiers in companies and regiments” with “the dense brigade…with high piled military wagons’ (lines 34-35).

The line paints a picture to give the struggles that existed between the Union and the Confederacy in relation to the state of slavery and rights. The difference sound Whitman faces plays a role in shifting his overall inclination with the city.

The main theme, however, his collection does not center on military alone. There is a dedication concerning the military personnel captured under Beat! Beat! Drums! Two conflicting ideas are present in Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun by Whitman.

On the one hand, there is the portrayal of the war with peacekeeping missions with silent nature achieved with the indifferences that exist under the sun with the war. On the other hand, Whitman also showcases the other side of the war filled with vile, chanting sounds, and military supremacy marching down the streets of Manhattan in a show of an aggressive attitude. It becomes Whitmans goal in life to find a balance between the nature that comes with peace and the chaotic scenes filled with the military processions.

There are two instances in the poetry collection, where Whitman uses rhetorical speech to emphasize the message further. One instance is from “Song of Myself,” while the other instance is through “Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun.” His interpretation of the line covers nature’s commands such as (line 3) “Give me a field” and (line 4) “Give me fresh corn” and (line 6) “Give me nights perfectly quiet.”

The mixed reactions are shown in the lines “Keep your woods O Nature” (line 20), “Keep your fields of clover” (line 22) and “Keep the blossoming buckwheat fields” (line 24) are part and parcel of Whitmans quest to be in the jubilations in the Manhattan streets showcasing his love for the city life. The lines show the slow departure of Whitmans natural silent life to the adoration of the new life present in Manhattan where he seeks to explore.

The introductory line of “Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun” builds upon a musical theme that conveys the message of the poem while maintaining a sense of balance with the rhythm and tonal structure in nature. The dependence on music for existence by Whitman is shown through (line 8-9) “Give me to warble spontaneous songs recluse by myself, for my ears only.” The need to improvise is shown through the use of spontaneous songs.

He strives to maintain a splendid balance with nature, which Whitman finds with the chord that tunes to his spiritual self with the primal sanities that exist (line12). The new sounds Whitman comes into contact in silent nature shapes his overall take on the overall splendid experience in the new environment.

With the end of the stanza, there is a reversal of Whitmans role in (line, 17) still I adhere to my Day upon day and year upon year.” The lust for the street life overpowers the need to find balance in nature. The city slowly replaces the envisioned ‘splendid sun’ with the beginning of the second stanza “Give me faces and streets” Give me women give me comrades and lovers by the thousand (line28) and (line 29) “Give me Broadway.”

There is still a craving for nature despite the current adoration of street life. The revelation shows the delight in Whitmans words as they describe the use of music to vocalize the streets and broadway shows. The adoration which Whitman feels is with the dancing and singing that describe the core of Manhattan.

The start of the end of the second stanza carries forward the use of music to give rhythm throughout the poem. (Line, 29) shows the “soldiers matching,” the sound of trumpets and drums that take over the air in the streets. Such gestures give the epitome of Whitmans adoration with the military processions.

The end of the rhythm structure within the poem is meet with (line, 36) “People…with strong voices,” “Manhattan streets with their powerful throbs (line, 37) and the “endless chorus…the turbulent musical chorus” (line, 39) that describes New York City. The sounds and jubilations heard in the streets show a sign of victory. The victory which paves the way for the processions along the streets shows the falling of the Confederacy.

The last stanza of “Give Me the Splendid Silent Sun” shows the dilemma which Whitman has to face moving forward between nature and the city. The main aim he hopes to achieve is to be given “Manhattan faces and eyes forever.” The beginning of the poem presents a different attitude that shows his efforts in maintaining his love for nature with the peace that comes with it.

The mood remains the same as the profession of the poem as it builds up upon the theme. The influence of the Civil War alters the flow of the poem as a new world comes into play that depicts urban life. He then becomes part and parcel of New York City and all that comes with it. Without looking back, he sets his eyes on the new way of life marked with a chaotic and turbulent society that comes with Manhattan life.