What kind of imagery/symbolism/style is used in Whitman's poems "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd"?

Above is Walt Whitman, the man responsible for these two creative works. He uses imagery and many examples of symbolism to create his unique poem "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking". The most important symbolic relation in this poem is nature and how it compares to the human soul. He believes that nature has a way of answering questions of the mind or soul, and writing in this perspective allows him to incorporate this in his work and share it with his readers.

In this specific poem, a boy watches two mockingbirds nesting. This doesn't sound too interesting, but Whitman has a way of teaching the boy a lesson through this experience. He sits and admires the relationship between the two birds. The she-bird leaves one day and never returns. This leaves the he-bird in a frenzy, calling for his mate. The boy is touched by this as he starts to translate and understand what the bird is probably feeling. Once the female bird leaves, the male bird becomes a "solitary singer". This symbolizes a daemon, or a spirit. The video below does not directly relate to Whitman's poem; however, it shows the act of a singing mockingbird: what they sound like and what the boy in the poem was probably experiencing.

The sea is symbolic of the spiritual world of poetry, and the whispers of the ocean symbolize death. Just as any young person would, the boy seeks the meaning of suffering and death. He asks for a clue, or sign, about what fate has in store for him. The answer comes from the sea, which also symbolizes the principle of birth and life.

Death is a lesson important for a child to learn. It can be learned from an elder or through nature, and in this case, it was nature. The realization of death is the only true way to maturity in an artistic and/or emotional state.

The style of Whitman's writing is unique but effective. The translation of the bird's thoughts, feelings, and language are italicized. This helps the reader distinguish the difference between the speaker and the bird, but also puts emphasis on the importance of these parts.

Whitman focuses a lot on symbolic mourning in "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd". Lilacs somehow relate to death, and since this poem is about the death of Lincoln, they seem to fit. Lilacs bloom in April, which is the same month Lincoln was assassinated. This poem seems to look at Lincoln's assassination, not only as a tragedy itself, but a small part in the midst of a sad and confused world.

 

A sense of grieving and mourning occurs in this poem as the death of Lincoln (left) is discussed, but a state of peace or relief can also be found. Pain and hurt only surrounds those who are living. There is no pain or misery brought to one who is dead, so Whitman finds comfort in this.

Both of these poems would not have had a purpose without the symbolic meanings behind them. Walt Whitman's character and own thoughts and beliefs can be determined through some of his works, including these.



Works Cited:
http://www.english.illinois.edu/maps/poets/s_z/whitman/cradle.htm
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O123-OutoftheCradlndlsslyRckng.html
http://anglistika.files.wordpress.com/2008/11/sg-whitman-out-of-the-cradle.pdf
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/435518/Out-of-the-Cradle-Endlessly-Rocking