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CHAPTER 3
ANALYSIS OF SYMBOLS IN WALT WHITMAN’S
WHEN LILACS LAST IN THE DOORYARD BLOOM’D
This chapter will describe the analysis of symbols in Walt Whitman’s poem
When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d based on Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic. As the
poem consists of sixteen parts, the analysis of symbol and its interpretation will be
divided into two parts, they are the analysis of symbol in each part based on cosmic,
oneiric, and poetic dimensions and the interpretation of the symbol based on three layers
of meaning, arché, telos, and eskaton.
3.1
The Symbolical Analysis
3.1.1
The First Part
The first part is the beginning of Whitman’s mourning. It talks about the
two major symbols in this poem; the lilac and the star. It has the entire three
dimensions of symbol, which are cosmic, oneiric and poetic.
1.
(1) When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom'd,
(2) And the great star early droop'd in the western sky in
the night,
(3) I mourn'd, and yet shall mourn with ever-returning
spring.
(4) Ever-returning spring, trinity sure to me you bring,
(5) Lilac blooming perennial and drooping star in the
west,
(6) And thought of him I love.
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3.1.1.1 Cosmic Dimension
As the title suggest, the poem is talking about lilac, although it is not the
only main thing used in the poem. Lilac appears repeatedly from the beginning
until the end of the poem. Lilac is the symbol of love. In Eastern symbolism, it
has a connection with manly love (Bradley, et al, 1962: 94). It can also be
connected with its leaves which are heart-shaped.
The lilacs here seems to be the one that grows and blooms in Whitman’s
dooryard (line 1), and appears in front of him when he hears the news about
Abraham Lincoln’s death. In line 5, when the poet is talking about the long
lasting lilac, it shows that the flower blooms all year long, even though it has a
time, which is spring, when it blooms fully and beautifully. The word perennial
supports the idea that the lilac is a long lasting plant as perennial means living
for two years or more. (Hornby, 2003: 939) It also means continuing for a very
long time; happening again and again. Therefore, it suggests that lilac will bloom
again and again, and so does Lincoln that will always be remembered.
The great star in line 2, which is the great star in the western sky, means
Venus. Venus is the evening star that shines brightly in the western sky before,
during and after Lincoln’s assassination. This great star symbolizes Lincoln. As
the leader of the country and a great-war leader, Whitman identified him as a
great star in this elegy. Besides that, Whitman adores Lincoln for his attitude and
for what he has done for the people of America. Meanwhile, the western sky is
the place where Whitman saw the great star dropped the night the President was
shot. Lincoln was born in Kentucky and hailed from Illinois, while Whitman was
born in New York.
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Lilac that blooms in spring symbolizes resurrection. The flower that
blooms beautifully in spring will die as the season changes. When summer
comes, it turns yellow and becomes dry; when autumn comes, the leaves fall off
the branches; and in winter the whole three is bare. Yet, it will bloom again in
the next spring, …ever-returning spring…
appears in line 3 and emphasized
again in line 4. This phrase means resurrection, just like what the spring season
suggests. It emphasizes that the spring will always return, just like the idea of
resurrection. Spring will always come every year, it is never absent and will
always be remembered. This means, as long as the lilac keeps on blooming every
spring, Whitman will never forget what happens at that time.
Spring season that symbolizes resurrection is connected to Christ’s
resurrection. Lincoln’s death is in April, in the same month as Easter. Lincoln’s
assassination was on Friday, April 14th, 1865, exactly on Good Friday, when the
Christians celebrate the death of Jesus Christ. Easter Sunday is the day of Jesus
Christ’s resurrection after His death on the Friday before, which is called the
Good Friday.
3.1.1.2 Oneiric Dimension
Meanwhile, the word night in line 2 is related to death. The darkness of
the night is often connected to death, as the colour of the night is black, and
black is often used as the symbol of sadness, mourning and death. Whitman is
indeed in the situation of mourning and feels sad, but besides that, he uses the
word night because the happening that he wants to present is at night. Even
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though Lincoln dies in the morning of the next day, he has been shot the night
before.
In line 4, there is a hope when Whitman uses the word trinity. In
Christian theology, trinity refers to Christ as He is one in a form of three persons;
Father, Son and Holy Spirit. As a father, Christ does a lot of things for His
creations, such as protecting and fulfilling their needs. As a son, Christ helps us
to make peace with God, and obeys what His father asks Him to do, even to
sacrifice and die in order to wash our sins. As a holy spirit, Christ is still here
with us, just like at the time when He came to the world, even though He has
died and now is in heaven.
Whitman is relating the word trinity as if Lincoln is an analogy to Christ.
There are some similar things, but not the same, between Lincoln and Christ.
First, just like Christ as a father, Lincoln was the father of democracy in the
United States. He tries his best to fulfill his people’s needs and he protects his
people from the injustice. Second, like Christ as a son, Lincoln sacrifices his life
to do the best he can do. In his life, he has done many things for his people and
country. He helps end slavery in the United States and helps keep the American
Union from splitting apart during the American Civil War. Then, like Christ as a
holy spirit, Whitman hoped that Lincoln’s spirit will always be with us even he is
now in heaven.
3.1.1.3 Poetic Dimension
When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d is basically a metaphor. It
personifies Abraham Lincoln who became a successful person and regarded as
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the greatest person in United States history near the end of his life. He was
elected as the president of the United States on November 6th 1860 and reelected
on November 8th 1864. Although he was elected as the president, the people of
America did not know much about him and was not really sure that he could do
much for the States. It can be seen from the result of the presidential election in
1860 when he received less than 40 percent of popular vote. (Boritt, 2006: 310311). However, the people of America started to realize and turned their eyes
upon Abraham Lincoln in 1865 when he won the American Civil War. That is
why Whitman said that when Lincoln was dead, he was in bloomed in the United
States.
Next, the sentence And the great star early droop’d in the western sky in
the night is also a metaphor that refers to Abraham Lincoln. This line has a
similar meaning with the previous one. As he was the president of the United
States at that time, he was one of the most important leaders in America. The
people of America have regarded him as one of the greatest person in the United
States history. Since he was elected as the president of the United States, he did
many things for his country. He led the United States during the American Civil
War and gave his best effort in leading America to a better future, but he did not
have much time to experience his achievement. The American Civil War ended
in April 9th 1865, six days before he died in April 15th 1865. He only had less
than a week to savor the victory.
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3.1.2
The Second Part
In this part, Whitman moans and complains about the death of Lincoln.
He moans about the death of the powerful person he adores. In this part, the word
star refers to the cosmic dimension, and the words night and black refer to
oneiric dimension.
2
(7) O powerful western fallen star!
(8) O shades of night -- O moody, tearful night!
(9) O great star disappear'd -- O the black murk that
hides the star!
(10) O cruel hands that hold me powerless -- O helpless
soul of me!
(11) O harsh surrounding cloud that will not free my soul.
3.1.2.1 Cosmic Dimension
The symbol of star has already appeared in the first part, and the star in
this part is exactly the same with the previous one. It is Venus, which represents
Lincoln. In line 7, Whitman regrets that the powerful western star has fallen. He
seems to be very disappointed with the death and regrets that a great person like
Lincoln must die so early. In line 9, the great star is said to be disappeared
because of the black murk. As the great star, Lincoln has disappeared from this
world as death has taken him away.
3.1.2.2 Oneiric Dimension
The word night has already appeared also in the first part, and also has a
relation with death and sadness, but the night in this part takes a broader
perception. In line 8, he moans the night that brings something bad, the night that
17
causes him to loose his loved one. That night, Whitman is so sad and full of tears
as he knows that Lincoln has just gotten a shot.
In line 9, Whitman seems angry with the black murk that hides the star.
Similar with the idea of night, black is also related to death. According to Stone
(2006: 30), black is associated with night and death. It is also related to mystery,
evil and mourning. In this part, black symbolizes death that hides Lincoln; death
that has taken Lincoln away from this world. Whitman is sad and angry because
the death takes Lincoln from him. He complains that he feels powerless and
helpless when the death comes and takes Lincoln away, because he can do
nothing to stop the death.
3.1.2.3 Poetic Dimension
The phrase O powerful western fallen star! In line 7 is a metaphor. The
powerful western fallen star is the powerful president Abraham Lincoln. As a
president of the United States, he is a powerful person. Boritt (2006: 310) said
that “Lincoln became a remarkable war leader. Some historians believe he was
the chief architect of the Union’s victorious military strategy”. He was said to be
the western star because he lived in the United States, which is located at the
west part of the world. Besides that, Kentucky, Illinois and Washington, the
states where Lincoln was born, grew up and died, are seen as in the west from
New York, the state where Whitman lived in.
Furthermore, the phrase O the black murk that hides the star! (line 9)
shows also a metaphor. The star is Abraham Lincoln, and the black murk is John
Wilkes Booth, the assassin of Abraham Lincoln. The black murk hides the star
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and makes it unseen, just like Booth’s action in shooting Lincoln to death and
made him unseen again in this world.
3.1.3
The Third Part
The third part of the poem reflects a poetic dimension, which is imagery,
in most of the lines. Besides that, there are also cosmic and oneiric dimensions.
This part describes the lilac with its shape, form, colour, smell, and the location
where it is grow.
3
(12) In the dooryard fronting an old farm-house near the
white-wash'd palings,
(13) Stands the lilac-bush tall-growing with heart-shaped
leaves of rich green,
(14) With many a pointed blossom rising delicate, with
the perfume strong I love,
(15) With every leaf a miracle -- and from this bush in the
dooryard,
(16) With delicate-color'd blossoms and heart-shaped
leaves of rich green,
(17) A sprig with its flower I break.
3.1.3.1 Cosmic Dimension
Line 13 talks about the lilac which is tall-growing and has heart-shaped
green leaves. The shape of a lilac plant is like a cone that filled with flowers. The
sprigs are in piles and make it looks like a bush. It is growing and becomes tall,
so it means that there are lots of lilac sprigs and leaves. The word bush
symbolizes the abundance of the lilac sprigs and leaves. The leaves of the lilac
coloured green and shaped like hearts. The love that Whitman has for Lincoln is
identified by the heart-shaped leaves, and he has a great love, as the plant is in
19
the form of bush, so it means there are many leaves forming it. Therefore, the
leaves of the lilac symbolize the love that Whitman dedicates to Lincoln.
In Eastern symbolism, lilac is related to manly love (Bradley, et al, 1962:
94). It might be also because of the leaves that shaped like hearts. The green
colour of the leaves symbolizes healing. However, losing someone will put the
live ones in sadness and grief. The colour of green is believed has a power to
heal, calm, and refresh. The adjective rich before the colour green emphasizes
that the healing is deep and has strength to help the living ones, as Hornby (2003:
1098) stated that the rich of colour means “strong or deep; very beautiful or
pleasing”. While the shape is intended for the dead, the colour is intended for the
left ones.
The lilac has many a pointed blossom rising delicate, with the perfume
strong I love. The persona likes the lilac as it is blooming delicately and has a
nice strong smell that he likes. Lilac is a nice flower with delicate blossoms in its
every sprig. The scent of the lilac flower is very strong and can be smelled even
from a distance. As it is a very strong smell, it remains for a quite long time.
Therefore, this smell will always be remembered and connected with Lincoln’s
death. Whitman likes the lovely smell, but he also hates it as it reminds him of
the death.
3.1.3.2 Oneiric Dimension
There is one symbol of oneiric dimension in this part, which is the word
miracle in line 15. In the sadness of losing someone he adores, Whitman has a
hope and believes that this happening has its own good. It is identified by the
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miracle that he believes exists in every leaf of the lilac. The people left by the
dead, especially the close ones, must be sad. Death brings sadness to those
people, but Whitman believes that there is something good behind it that God has
prepared and people do not know yet.
It is also related to the resurrection of Christ. When Jesus Christ died on
the Good Friday, the people who love him were in grief, no exception the Father.
Jesus Christ died in a cruel way, as He was crucified. Jesus Christ was crucified
and died to fulfill God’s word and to redeem our sins, which would become the
bridge in the relationship between the people and the God, and the people who
believe in God will have everlasting life. As stated in St. John 3: 16, “For God so
loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in
him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. Therefore, the crucifixion of
Jesus Christ is a miracle; it brings something good behind the sadness and
suffers. Whitman hopes and believes that the assassination of Lincoln will also
be a miracle, which brings something good behind the sadness.
3.1.3.3 Poetic Dimension
In line 12, the dooryard, old farm-house, and white-wash’d palings are
visual imagery. This line is the image of the location where the lilac grows,
which is in the dooryard in an old farm house. It represents the place where
Lincoln lived in as a president of the United States, which is the white house.
Meanwhile, the phrase Stands the lilac-bush tall-growing with heartshaped leaves of rich green (line 13) personifies the figure of the tall President
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Abraham Lincoln, who was the president of the United States and a great
charismatic leader. He was loved by his people, including Whitman.
Furthermore, With many a pointed blossom rising delicate, with the
perfume strong I love (line 14) refers to Abraham Lincoln who was like a flower
that blooms. With the many successful things he did for the United States, such
as ended the slavery and won the American Civil War, he was like a blooming
flower, as at that time, people had just recognized how great he was. Even
though he was in bloom, he was weak. He can be a powerful and successful
person, but as a human, a God’s creature, he could not avoid the death, as death
is in God’s hand. The strong perfume refers to Lincoln’s good characters that are
liked by the persona, and his people. Lincoln was a peace-loving man, a great
war leader, and a great president who did such effort for his people until the end
of his life.
Visual imagery in line 16 is the colour of the lilac, which is said to be
delicate. Lilac is “a bush or small tree with purple or white flowers with a sweet
smell that grow closely together in the shape of a cone” (Hornby, 2003: 746).
The colour of the blooming lilac in spring is usually purple, although the poet
does not mention it in his poem. Purple colour is associated with royalty and
spirituality, and also can be connected to madness and cruelty (Stone, 2006: 28,
29). The delicate purple colour of the blooming lilac (line 16) refers to the
royalty of Lincoln. As the president of the United States, his degree is just the
same as a king in a kingdom country. Purple colour of the lilac also refers to the
madness and cruelty of the assassination of Lincoln, which is done by John
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Wilkes Booth by shooting him in the head. Besides that, in Latin America,
purple colour indicates death
3.1.4
The Fourth Part
In the fourth part, there is a new symbol, which is hermit thrush the bird.
This part is talking about the bird, which belongs to the symbol of cosmic
dimension. It also has some symbols of poetic dimension.
4
(18) In the swamp in secluded recesses,
(19) A shy and hidden bird is warbling a song.
(20) Solitary the thrush,
(21) The hermit withdrawn to himself, avoiding the
settlements,
(22) Sings by himself a song.
(23) Song of the bleeding throat,
(24) Death's outlet song of life, (for well dear brother I
know,
(25) If thou wast not granted to sing, thou would'st surely
die.)
3.1.4.1 Cosmic Dimension
The phrase hermit thrush bird symbolizes the expressions of Whitman’s
deep grief and a companion of him. This kind of bird likes to live in a swamp, in
secluded and dark recesses (www.50states.com/bird). “A shy and hidden bird” in
line 19 and “Solitary the thrush” in line 20 talks about the loneliness of him. The
death of Lincoln makes him want to be alone for a while. Whitman hides himself
from people to concern on the death. “…swamp in secluded recesses” (line 18)
represents the place where he is in loneliness and the situation when he is
thinking about the death, which is so quiet and no disturbance.
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Hermit thrush is a kind of bird that has an unforgettable voice. They like
to
sing
an
ethereal
flute-like
song,
and
they
sing
it
beautifully
(http://birdweb.org/birdweb/index.aspx). Line 22-25 is talking about the bird
singing and its song. The bird expresses Whitman’s grief through a song. It sings
a “Song of the bleeding throat” to express the sadness.
3.1.4.2 Poetic Dimension
This part shows a metaphor of Lincoln with and his effort and loneliness
in fighting for his people. In line 18-19, In the swamp in secluded recesses / A
shy and hidden bird is warbling a song, refers to Lincoln in his own mind,
himself, wanted to end the slavery. The next lines of this part show that Lincoln
seemed to be alone in fighting for the freedom, as he fought for slavery with very
little support. It is like he has this ideal of abolishing slavery, but a lot of
American people, especially in the Southern America who practiced slavery,
were against it.
In line 23, the bird sings a Song of the bleeding throat. This phrase is an
overstatement of figurative language. It means that the song is so sad that it feels
like its throat is bleeding. One’s throat can never be bleeding unless it is gotten
an illness, but not just because of sadness and singing. It expresses its grief
through the sad song, because it can not stand anymore to hold the sadness
inside. Even though he has to pay it with his blood, Lincoln fought for the
freedom from slavery because he could not stand anymore to see the slavery in
his country.
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The other symbol is the sentence in line 25, If thou wast not granted to
sing, thou would’st surely die. It is also an overstatement of figurative language.
It seems that if it does not express it, it will suffer so much that it feels like want
to die. Hence, if Lincoln did not fight for the slavery, he will also die in seeing
his beloved country practicing slavery and seeing the unfair situation, where they
who practiced slavery had the joy while the slaves suffered.
3.1.5
The Fifth Part
The fifth part is talking about the journey of Lincoln’s coffin. Lincoln’s
body is buried in his home town, Springfield, Illinois. As he died in Washington
D.C., the coffin of Lincoln’s body is carried by train from there through the night
and day to be buried in Oak Ridge Cemetery in Springfield, Illinois.
5
(26) Over the breast of the spring, the land, amid cities,
(27) Amid lanes and through old woods, where lately the
violets peep'd from the ground, spotting the gray
debris,
(28) Amid the grass in the fields each side of the lanes,
passing the endless grass,
(29) Passing the yellow-spear'd wheat, every grain from
its shroud in the dark-brown fields uprisen,
(30) Passing the apple-tree blows of white and pink in the
orchards,
(31) Carrying a corpse to where it shall rest in the grave,
(32) Night and day journeys a coffin.
3.1.5.1 Oneiric Dimension
The word Coffin (line 32) is a symbol of oneiric dimension as it is related
to death. Coffin is “a box in which a dead body is buried or cremated” (Hornby,
2003: 229). On his journey back to his hometown, Lincoln’s body passed
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through many things. That moment was spring, where plants were in bloom, and
the blooming plants welcomed and saluted him for the last time until he arrived
in the burial.
3.1.5.2 Poetic Dimension
Violets that lately peeped from the ground (line 27) refer to the madness
and cruelty of the Civil War that caused so much pain. Violet or purple colour
here is related to madness and cruelty (Stone, 2006:28). The grass in the fields
(line 28) refers to American people, while each side of the lanes (line 28) refers
to the Northern and Southern America that fought against each other in the
American Civil War. Before he went to the final rest, Lincoln had passed all of
them.
3.1.6
The Sixth Part
The journey of the coffin is continued to the sixth part. While the fifth
part talks about the journey through the land with the scenery of the nature, this
part talks about the journey through the cities and the people who were
mourning, singing dirges while waiting for the coffin to passed by.
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(33) Coffin that passes through lanes and streets,
(34) Through day and night with the great cloud
darkening the land,
(35) With the pomp of the inloop'd flags with the cities
draped in black,
(36) With the show of the States themselves as of crepeveil'd women standing,
(37) With processions long and winding and the
flambeaus of the night,
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(38) With the countless torches lit, with the silent sea of
faces and the unbared heads,
(39) With the waiting depot, the arriving coffin, and the
sombre faces,
(40) With dirges through the night, with the thousand
voices rising strong and solemn,
(41) With all the mournful voices of the dirges pour'd
around the coffin,
(42) The dim-lit churches and the shuddering organs -where amid these you journey,
(43) With the tolling bells' perpetual clang,
(44) Here, coffin that slowly passes,
(45) I give you a sprig of lilac.
3.1.6.1 Poetic Dimension
Everybody seemed to be sad on the death of Lincoln. The cities draped in
black (line 35) suggest that the people of America were mourning on the death,
as black colour is related to death. Along the journey, the whole America
mourns. Not only the people, but also the natures and the cities mourn for him.
All of them sing the dirges while waiting for the coffin. As the coffin passes
them, they give their last salutation to Lincoln, and so does Whitman. He shows
his love and gives his honour and respect to Lincoln’s coffin in the form of the
sprig of lilac that he has broken from its bush in his dooryard.
3.1.7
The Seventh Part
In this part, the word coffin, the symbol of oneiric dimension appears
again. The other symbol of oneiric dimension is death, which is appeared three
times. Other symbols are roses and lilies, which belong to symbols of cosmic
dimension.
27
Here, Whitman explains that the offering of the blossoms of lilac and the
leaves is not only for Lincoln, but for all of the dead, especially for them who
died in the Civil War in America that has just ended a few days before the
assassination. It is identified by the phrase “Nor for you, for one alone” (line 46).
This phrase is not only for the offering of flowers, but also the song that
Whitman sings through the hermit thrush. Although at first he seems only offer
the gift for the person he loves, but in this part, Whitman explains that he
dedicates these offerings for many people.
7
(46) (Nor for you, for one alone,
(47) Blossoms and branches green to coffins all I bring,
(48) For fresh as the morning, thus would I chant a song
for you O sane and sacred death.
(49) All over bouquets of roses,
(50) O death, I cover you with roses and early lilies,
(51) But mostly and now the lilac that blooms the first,
(52) Copious I break, I break the sprigs from the bushes,
(53) With loaded arms I come, pouring for you,
(54) For you and the coffins all of you, O death.)
3.1.7.1 Cosmic Dimension
Whitman adds the offering, which at first is only a sprig of lilac, now he
covers the dead also with roses and lilies (line 50). The flower rose symbolizes
love and friendship, while lily symbolizes majesty and purity. He gives roses
which represent the love that he feels for Lincoln and a friendship to him. Even
though he is not truly has a friendship with Lincoln, but he adores him and
consider him as a friend, even more than friend. Yet, many people want to have a
friendship with him as they know his nice attitudes. Lilies that he gives represent
the majesty of Lincoln. As the leader of America at that time, he is a powerful
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person. The purity that identified by the lilies represent Whitman’s heart in
considering Lincoln as the leader of the country, the one he adores and as his
friend, and also represent the purity of love that he feels to Lincoln.
Besides that, Whitman also emphasizes the sprigs of lilac that he breaks.
The sprigs of lilac that symbolize the love, honour and respect are abundantly, as
he states that it is copious (line 52) and his arms are loaded with those sprigs
(line 53). At first, he only breaks a sprig for a symbol, but now he breaks so
many sprigs to cover the coffin. He wants to cover the sadness that causes by the
death and tries to accept it, because it is something that nobody can avoid.
3.1.8
The Eighth Part
This part talks about the star that visits Whitman before the assassination
of Lincoln. It explains why the star droops, which is told before in the beginning
of the poem. There are some symbols of cosmic dimension, which are orb,
heaven, and sky.
8
(55) O western orb sailing the heaven,
(56) Now I know what you must have meant as a month
since I walk'd,
(57) As I walk'd in silence the transparent shadowy night,
(58) As I saw you had something to tell as you bent to me
night after night,
(59) As you droop'd from the sky low down as if to my
side, (while the other stars all look'd on,)
(60) As we wander'd together the solemn night, (for
something I know not what kept me from sleep,)
(61) As the night advanced, and I saw on the rim of the
west how full you were of woe,
(62) As I stood on the rising ground in the breeze in the
cool transparent night,
(63) As I watch'd where you pass'd and was lost in the
netherward black of the night,
29
(64) As my soul in its trouble dissatisfied sank, as where
you sad orb,
(65) Concluded, dropt in the night, and was gone.
3.1.8.1 Cosmic Dimension
In this part, the star is described as an orb (line 55), which is strengthen
the impression on “powerful” that refers to the star at the beginning of the poem.
Orb is “an object shaped like a ball, especially the sun or moon” (Hornby, 2003:
892). Green (2006: 840) said that “the sun is a star”. The sun is so powerful that
it gives energy to the Earth. Besides that, as stated in the Oxford Advanced
Learner’s Dictionary (2003: 892), the thing that king or queen bring in a formal
ceremonies is called an orb, and it symbolizes the power that the king or queen
have. Therefore, the word orb symbolizes power that the star has, which means
the power of Lincoln as a leader.
3.1.8.2 Oneiric Dimension
A month before Lincoln’s assassination, Whitman dreams about the death
but he does not understand what the meaning of his dream is yet. In the dream,
Lincoln, which is represent by the orb, is on the edge of the world and looks so
sad (line 61). In line 63, “black of the night” suggests death. Black colour is
often connected with darkness and death, as Stone (2006:30) stated that black is
associated with night and death. That night when Whitman sees the star, he sees
that it disappears from the sky because the night that is so dark covers it. Lincoln
disappears from the world because the death takes him away.
30
3.1.8.3 Poetic Dimension
The poetic dimension in this part shown in the phrase The western orb
sailing the heaven (line 55) is a metaphor. The western orb is Lincoln. Line 5658 is talking about the nights when the persona met Lincoln. Now I know what
you must have meant as a month since I walk’d (line 56) refers to the night on the
day of Lincoln’s second inauguration, March 4th 2865, which was a month before
his assassination. Whitman wrote: “I saw him on his return, at three o’clock,
after the performance was over. He was in his plain two-horse barouche, and
look’d very much worn and tired; ….yet all the goodness, tenderness, sadness,
and canny shrewdness, underneath the furrows….By his side sad his little boy, of
then years. There were no soldiers.” (Foerster and Falk, 1962: 624)
Furthermore, the sentences As I walk'd in silence the transparent
shadowy night, / As I saw you had something to tell as you bent to me night after
night (line 57-58) refer to Whitman’s meeting to Lincoln on some of the nights
when the president passed the place Whitman lived. Foerster and Falk (1962:
624) stated Whitman’s writing about Lincoln in the year of Gettysburg. Whitman
wrote: “I see the President almost every day, as I happen to live where he passes
to or from his lodgings out of town….the deep-cut lines, the eyes, always to me
with a deep latent sadness in the expression. We have got so that we exchange
bows.” That night after night when they met, they exchanged bows. There,
Whitman just realized that on those nights when they met, there was something
strange. It seemed like there were something that Lincoln wanted to tell the
world, but had not enough time to do so. On that night, Whitman could not sleep,
and the month after, he just knew that that was a sign of Lincoln’s death.
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3.1.9
The Ninth Part
In the ninth part, there are two symbols of cosmic dimension; singer,
which is the bird, and the star.
9
(66) Sing on there in the swamp,
(67) O singer bashful and tender, I hear your notes, I hear
your call,
(68) I hear, I come presently, I understand you,
(69) But a moment I linger, for the lustrous star has
detain'd me,
(70) The star my departing comrade holds and detains me.
3.1.9.1 Cosmic dimension
Even though the bird is not mentioned in this part, it can be determined
that the singer in line 66 and 67 is the bird, as in the fourth part, it is the one that
comes up with a song. Same as the bird in the fourth part, the singer in this part
is also a symbol of cosmic dimension. The singer that is said to be bashful and
tender (line 67) suggests the character of the bird which is easily get hurt. It
supports the description in the fourth part when it sings in a deep sadness
because of the death. The death of Lincoln hurt it so bad that makes it sings such
a sad song. In this part, Whitman is really with the bird. He listens and
understands his companion; he listens and understands the sad song because it
also expresses his deep grief. At the same time as he concern on his grief, the
memory of Lincoln, which is represented by the “lustrous star”, catches the
attention of him.
The word star, as the symbol of cosmic dimension comes up again in this
part. This time, Lincoln is said as a “lustrous star” (line 69). For Whitman,
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Lincoln is a shining star and he adores him so much. Although he is a shining
star, a leader of a country, he has a gentle heart. Even though he is a war leader,
he is a peace loving man. Besides symbolizes Lincoln himself, “the lustrous
star” here also symbolizes the memory of Lincoln. The memory catches the
attention of him while he is listening and pays attention to the song of the bird.
Whitman considers him as his friend with the same ideas and called him
“comrade” (line 70). Lincoln is in the Republican Party, and in 1864, together
with War Democrats, it formed the Union Party (Boritt, 2006: 324). Whitman
pro democracy, and as the parties are united, they are now at the same side. They
both have the same ideas about democracy. That is why Whitman called him
comrade, just like a friend in the same political party. Moreover, even Lincoln
does not know him, Whitman considers him as his friend, as he really likes him.
The word “comrade” supports the symbol of star, which is refers to Lincoln.
3.1.9.2 Poetic Dimension
The phrase Sing on there in the swamp (line 66) is a command that ask
Lincoln to keep on fighting whatever the situation is. In the next line, Lincoln is
said to be bashful and tender. As the president of the United States, he was
powerful. He had a charisma as a leader and looked very strong, just like a man
with no fear. However, deep inside him, he is a gentle person. It can be seen
from his fought for slavery, where he could not stand to see some people suffered
because of the others practiced slavery.
Meanwhile, the sentences I hear your notes, I hear your call, / I hear, I
come presently, I understand you (line 67-68) refers to the song that Lincoln
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sang, which was his speech. By that song, Lincoln called the people and told
them what was bad to keep on practicing slavery, but only some people
understood and realized, including the persona. Finally, the sentence … for the
lustrous star has detain’d me (line 69) means that Lincoln, the shining star, held
the persona with his effort, fought, success, and loving heart that made people
adore him.
3.1.10 The Tenth Part
In the tenth part, Whitman is wondering what great gift he should give to
the great Lincoln. There are three symbols of cosmic dimension; sea-winds,
Eastern sea and Western sea, and one symbol of poetic dimension; large sweet
soul.
10
(71) O how shall I warble myself for the dead one there I
loved?
(72) And how shall I deck my soul for the large sweet soul
that has gone?
(73) And what shall my perfume be for the grave of him I
love?
(74) Sea-winds blown from the east and west,
(75) Blown from the Eastern sea and blown from the
Western sea, till there on the prairies meeting,
(76) These and with these and the breath of my chant,
(77) I'll perfume the grave of him I love.
3.1.10.1 Symbols of Cosmic Dimension
The word Wind is “air that moves quickly as a result of natural forces”
(Hornby, 2003: 1482), and sea-winds are the wind that is found at and around
the sea. As the earth is covered with water, it has many seas and some of them
34
are huge. East and west are located oppositely. As the earth is round, it means
that from the east to the west is around the earth.
3.1.10.2 Poetic Dimension
The phrase large sweet soul is a personification of figurative language.
In line 72, Lincoln, which is represented by the star symbol, is considered as a
large sweet soul. It is not his appearance that is large, but suggests Lincoln’s
power. He is an outstanding and powerful person as he succeeded in doing
many of his tasks. The sweet soul suggests Lincoln’s nice personality. It can be
seen from his debates and fights against slavery to help his people out from it,
and he is said to be a peace loving man (Boritt, 2006: 310).
3.1.11 The Eleventh Part
The eleventh part is the continuation from the tenth part, which is
talking about the gift that Whitman wants to give to Lincoln on his burial house.
Most lines of this part are imagery, which belong to symbols of poetic
dimension, but there are also one symbol of cosmic dimension and one oneiric
dimension.
11
(78) O what shall I hang on the chamber walls?
(79) And what shall the pictures be that I hang on the
walls,
(80) To adorn the burial-house of him I love?
(81) Pictures of growing spring and farms and homes,
(82) With the Fourth-month eve at sundown, and the
gray smoke lucid and bright,
(83) With floods of the yellow gold of the gorgeous,
indolent, sinking sun, burning, expanding the air,
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(84) With the fresh sweet herbage under foot, and the
pale green leaves of the trees prolific,
(85) In the distance of the flowing glaze, the breast of the
river, with a wind-dapple here and there,
(86) With ranging hills on the banks, with many a line
against the sky, and shadows,
(87) And the city at hand with dwellings so dense, and
stacks of chimneys,
(88) And all the scenes of life and the workshops, and
the workmen homeward returning.
3.1.11.1 Cosmic Dimension
The symbol of cosmic dimension is found in line 82, the phrase With the
Fourth-month eve at sundown. This phrase refers to the time of Lincoln’s
assassination, which happens on April 14th, 1865, as April is the fourth month
of the year. The following eve means the night before an event, which refers to
the evening before Lincoln’s death. At sundown means at the end of the day,
this refers to the assassination that happens at the evening.
3.1.11.2 Oneiric Dimension
The symbol of oneiric dimension in this part is the gray smoke line 82.
Gray colour is associated with neutrality. As the happening at that night is a sad
event, which is Lincoln’s assassination, so the gray colour here means sadness.
The gray smoke is said to be lucid and bright, which means that the sadness is
clearly portrayed and really felt.
3.1.13 The Twelfth Part
In this part, Whitman talks about the land, America, from South to the
North, with the scene of the cities that shine.
36
12
(89) Lo, body and soul -- this land,
(90) My own Manhattan with spires, and the sparkling
and hurrying tides, and the ships,
(91) The varied and ample land, the South and the North
in the light, Ohio's shores and flashing Missouri,
(92) And ever the far-spreading prairies cover'd with
grass and corn.
(93) Lo, the most excellent sun so calm and haughty,
(94) The violet and purple morn with just-felt breezes,
(95) The gentle soft-born measureless light,
(96) The miracle spreading bathing all, the fulfill'd noon,
(97) The coming eve delicious, the welcome night and
the stars,
(98) Over my cities shining all, enveloping man and
land.
3.1.12.1 Poetic Dimension
The gentle soft-born measureless light (line 95) refers to Lincoln. He
was born and rose from humble origin, but he became a light of the nation, a
leader that the people of America were longing for. His birth brings miracle (line
96) to America. To ever have him as the leader of the nation, America has
experienced a great moment, and perhaps the greatest moment. Lincoln has
fulfilled (line 96) the American dreams. If he did not end the slavery and united
the states, there will be no United States that is known as a prosperous and
important country (Boritt, 2006: 310)
3.1.13 The Thirteenth Part
In this part, Whitman asks the bird to keep on expressing the sadness
through the song, as he really likes the song and praise the bird for its beautiful
37
voice. There are two symbols of cosmic dimension, which are star and lilac,
and one symbol of oneiric dimension, which is gray colour.
13
(99) Sing on, sing on, you gray-brown bird,
(100) Sing from the swamps, the recesses, pour your
chant from the bushes,
(101) Limitless out of the dusk, out of the cedars and
pines.
(102) Sing on dearest brother, warble your reedy song,
(103) Loud human song, with voice of uttermost woe.
(104) O liquid and free and tender!
(105) O wild and loose to my soul -- O wondrous singer!
(106) You only I hear -- yet the star holds me, (but will
soon depart,)
(107) Yet the lilac with mastering odor holds me.
3.1.13.1Cosmic Dimension
The symbols of cosmic dimension in this part are the three major symbols
of this poem, which are the bird, the star and the lilac. The symbols are just
repeating from the previous parts that talks about these three symbols. All of
them are metaphor. The star symbolizes Lincoln as a great president, the lilac
symbolizes Lincoln as a great person, and the bird with its song symbolizes
Lincoln as a person who fought for the freedom from slavery and keeps the states
united.
3.1.13.2 Poetic Dimension
In line 99, the persona kept on supporting Lincoln in his fought for
slavery. He called He asked Lincoln not to keep his difficulties in abolishing
slavery himself but to speak up, to pour out his difficulties and worries to share,
in order to make him feel lighter.
38
The song of the bird which is liquid and free and tender (line 104) is a
connotation, which belongs to the symbol of poetic dimension. The word liquid
refers to the song that is sung by the bird, which is changing, sometimes in a
high and sometimes in a low pitch. The way that hermit thrush sings is indeed
changing between high and low pitch, but in this poem, it refers to the
indescribable feeling that is unstable. The feeling is still miserable that even it is
already calm down, the terrible feeling can rise again when it remembers the
death. The word free in the same line also refers to the song that is sung by the
bird, as the bird ‘says’ anything to express its sadness through the song. The
bird is freely to choose what words it wants to use in its song. It suggests that
Lincoln is free in expressing his grief and sadness through the song of the bird;
through this poem. Still in the same line, the word tender suggests that the song
is hurting. The people who listen to it will know how full of woe and sadness
the song is, and perhaps understand how hurt the feeling of the singer is. The
song is wild and loose (line 105) to the poet’s soul. The word Wild suggests a
strong feeling of the sadness, and loose suggests uncontrolled. Therefore, it
means that the sadness can not be controlled anymore and so it is poured into a
great expression to release some pain inside.
The lines You only I hear -- yet the star holds me, (but will soon depart)
/ Yet the lilac with mastering odor holds me (line 106 and 107) is a statement of
Whitman’s support for Lincoln. The persona adored Lincoln as a great
president of the United States with the things he fought for, and as a great
person with great character that will be remembered always, but at that
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moment, the persona only concerned on the thoughts of Lincoln’s ideal of
abolishing slavery.
3.1.14 The Fourteenth Part
The Fourteenth part is the longest part in this poem and it contains the
carol of death that is sung by the bird. At the beginning, it talks about the
situation in America at that time, with its scenery and its people’s activities.
There are so many symbols of poetic dimension in this part, which is imagery.
14
(108) Now while I sat in the day and look'd forth,
(109) In the close of the day with its light and the fields
of spring, and the farmers preparing their crops,
(110) In the large unconscious scenery of my land with
its lakes and forests,
(111) In the heavenly aerial beauty, (after the perturb'd
winds and storms,)
(112) Under the arching heavens of the afternoon swift
passing, and the voices of children and women,
(113) The many-moving sea-tides, and I saw the ships
how they sail'd,
(114) And the summer approaching with richness, and
the fields all busy with labor,
(115) And the infinite separate houses, how they all went
on, each with its meals and minutia of daily
usages,
(116) And the streets how their throbbings throbb'd, and
the cities pent -- lo, then and there,
(117) Falling upon them all and among them all,
enveloping me with the rest,
(118) Appear'd the cloud, appear'd the long black trail,
(119) And I knew death, its thought, and the sacred
knowledge of death.
(120) Then with the knowledge of death as walking one
side of me,
(121) And the thought of death close-walking the other
side of me,
(122) And I in the middle as with companions, and as
holding the hands of companions,
40
(123) I fled forth to the hiding receiving night that talks
not,
(124) Down to the shores of the water, the path by the
swamp in the dimness,
(125) To the solemn shadowy cedars and the ghostly
pines so still.
(126) And the singer so shy to the rest receiv'd me,
(127) The gray-brown bird I know received us comrades
three,
(128) And he sang the carol of death, and a verse for him
I love.
(129) From deep secluded recesses,
(130) From the fragrant cedars and the ghostly pines so
still,
(131) Came the carol of the bird.
(132) And the charm of the carol rapt me,
(133) As I held as if by their hands my comrades in the
night,
(134) And the voice of my spirit tallied the song of the
bird.
(135) Come lovely and soothing death,
(136) Undulate round the world, serenely arriving,
arriving,
(137) In the day, in the night, to all, to each,
(138) Sooner or later delicate death.
(139) Prais'd be the fathomless universe,
(140) For life and joy, and for objects and knowledge
curious,
(141) And for love, sweet love -- but praise! praise!
praise!
(142) For the sure-enwinding arms of cool-enfolding
death.
(143) Dark mother always gliding near with soft feet,
(144) Have none chanted for thee a chant of fullest
welcome?
(145) Then I chant it for thee, I glorify thee above all,
(146) I bring thee a song that when thou must indeed
come, come unfalteringly.
(147) Approach strong deliveress,
(148) When it is so, when you have taken them I joyously
sing the dead,
41
(149) Lost in the loving floating ocean of thee,
(150) Laved in the flood of thy bliss, O death.
(151) From me to thee glad serenades,
(152) Dances for thee I propose saluting thee,
adornments and feastings for thee,
(153) And the sights of the open landscape and the highspread sky are fitting,
(154) And life and the fields, and the huge and thoughtful
night.
(155) The night in silence under many a star,
(156) The ocean shore and the husky whispering wave
whose voice I know,
(157) And the soul turning to thee O vast and well-veil'd
death,
(158) And the body gratefully nestling close to thee.
(159) Over the treetops I float thee a song,
(160) Over the rising and sinking waves, over the myriad
fields and the prairies wide,
(161) Over the dense-packed cities and all the teeming
wharves and ways,
(162) I float this carol with joy, with joy to thee O death.
3.1.14.1 Cosmic Dimension
The gray-brown bird in line 127 also refers to Lincoln. While in the
previous parts his song was his ideal of abolishing slavery, in this part, it was his
reconciliation with death. Not only Lincoln who reconcile with death, but also
Whitman.
3.1.14.2 Oneiric Dimension
As has been analyzed in the previous part, death is a symbol of oneiric
dimension. In this part, the death comes up with its thought and the sacred
knowledge of death (line 119). It shows that now Whitman knows about the
death. While in the last half part of the fourteenth part he can understand and
42
accept death, in this first half part of the part, he begins to know and understand
it. It supports the symbol of the song in the fourteenth part, which is symbolizes
Whitman’s reconciliation with death. He knows and understands that death is
beyond human’s control and unavoidable, that is why human being can only
accept it. It is sacred, and only God can make it happens.
3.1.14.3 Poetic Dimension
Line 109-125 refers to all of the memory related to Lincoln. Those were
the last scenes of America that Lincoln could feel, the scenes that perhaps would
not be able to be seen if Lincoln was failed to win the war and unite the states.
His dreams and efforts to make America better were closed as the death had
taken him away. The death has come, and people just have to accept it however.
From the daily routine of America, the busyness, the tiring activities and efforts
that had been done, and the victory that had been achieved; now it was the time
to rest, as the death has come.
The carol of the bird (135-162) is the acceptance of death. Here, the
death is said to be lovely and soothing (line 135), and delicate (line 138). It
shows that Whitman really can accept the death and he understand that the death
is not only bring sadness but it also can be lovely, soothing and delicate as it
give the dead a rest after walking in a tough journey in the tough world. Live in
this world is hard and tough. People deal with problems everyday, whether they
are big or small. Therefore, death can be considered soothing as the dead will not
deal with his problem anymore. In his life, Lincoln experiences ups and downs.
He lives in a pretty hard world. He just gets back from the American Civil War,
43
which is considered as the “bloodiest war in U.S. history” (Boritt, 2006: 310).
During the war, he has a very hard time. He eats and sleeps a little and almost no
time to relax. He tries hard to prove that he is worthy, and just get the proof a
few months before he died. Thinking positively, his death really can be soothing.
In line 138, the death comes sooner or later. It suggests that Whitman knows
that every living thing must die; it is just a matter of time.
The death is called as a Dark mother (line 143), which means that the
death brings life. These two words have an opposite idea. Dark is usually
connected with something bad, but the word “mother” implies a good one. Dark
here represents death, and mother represents birth, as a mother gives birth to a
child. There is a positive thought in this phrase. It shows that even the death is
something bad, there is something good beyond it. In this world, it is just a cycle
that people come and go, born and dead.
3.1.15 The Fifteenth Part
This past is talking about Whitman’s sight of the past war. All the mess
caused by the war, many injured and died, and the living ones suffered.
15
(163) To the tally of my soul,
(164) Loud and strong kept up the gray-brown bird,
(165) With pure deliberate notes spreading filling the
night.
(166) Loud in the pines and cedars dim,
(167) Clear in the freshness moist and the swampperfume,
(168) And I with my comrades there in the night.
(169) While my sight that was bound in my eyes
unclosed,
44
(170) As to long panoramas of visions.
(171) And I saw askant the armies,
(172) I saw as in noiseless dreams hundreds of battleflags,
(173) Borne through the smoke of the battles and pierced
with missiles I saw them,
(174) And carried hither and yon through the smoke and
torn and bloody,
(175) And at last but a few shreds left on the staffs, (all
in silence,)
(176) And the staffs all splinter'd and broken.
(177) I saw battle-corpses, myriads of them,
(178) And the white skeletons of young men, I saw them,
(179) I saw the debris and debris of all the dead soldiers
of the war,
(180) But I saw they were not as was thought,
(181) They themselves were fully at rest, they suffer'd
not,
(182) The living remain'd and suffer'd, the mother
suffer'd,
(183) And the wife and the child and the musing
comrade suffer'd,
(184) And the armies that remain'd suffer'd.
3.1.15.1 Poetic dimension
Line 163-165 suggests that the song of the bird filled Whitman. He
agreed with the song, as it is the sound of his heart too. The ideal that Lincoln
fought for was to end the slavery and keep the nation united, and Whitman
wanted too. Even though Lincoln led the Civil War, actually he was a peaceloving man. He felt sorry for the war must be happened, as Boritt (2006) stated
that “Lincoln’s frequent visits to army hospitals tore his gentle heart” (p.322).
45
3.1.16 The Sixteenth Part
The conclusion can be seen in the last part of the poem. In this part, the
three major symbols appear together. Here, the poet remembers again from the
first time he knows the death of Lincoln until bid him goodbye.
16
(185) Passing the visions, passing the night,
(186) Passing, unloosing the hold of my comrades'
hands,
(187) Passing the song of the hermit bird and the tallying
song of my soul,
(188) Victorious song, death's outlet song, yet varying
ever-altering song,
(189) As low and wailing, yet clear the notes, rising and
falling, flooding the night,
(190) Sadly sinking and fainting, as warning and
warning, and yet again bursting with joy,
(191) Covering the earth and filling the spread of the
heaven,
(192) As that powerful psalm in the night I heard from
recesses,
(193) Passing, I leave thee lilac with heart-shaped leaves,
(194) I leave thee there in the door-yard, blooming,
returning with spring.
(195) I cease from my song for thee,
(196) From my gaze on thee in the west, fronting the
west, communing with thee,
(197) O comrade lustrous with silver face in the night.
(198) Yet each to keep and all, retrievements out of the
night,
(199) The song, the wondrous chant of the gray-brown
bird,
(200) And the tallying chant, the echo arous'd in my
soul,
(201) With the lustrous and drooping star with the
countenance full of woe,
(202) With the holders holding my hand nearing the call
of the bird,
(203) Comrades mine and I in the midst, and their
memory ever to keep for the dead I loved so well,
(204) For the sweetest, wisest soul of all my days and
lands -- and this for his dear sake,
46
(205) Lilac and star and bird twined with the chant of my
soul,
(206) There in the fragrant pines and the cedars dusk and
dim.
3.1.16.1 Poetic Dimension
Line 187 until 192 is the flashback of the hermit thrush. It talks about the
song of the hermit bird, the tallying song of the poet soul, victorious song,
death’s outlet song, and varying ever-altering song. It is said that the song is like
a powerful psalm, because the song that praises the death. Line 193 and 194 is
the flashback of the lilac. It talks about the lilac with the heart-shaped leaves in
the dooryard that is blooming in spring and will always bloom in the next
springs. Line 196 and 197 is the flashback of the star. It talks about the star that
is in the west, the meeting with the star, and the lustrous one.
The song of the bird, which is the expression of the poet’s grief, will
always be remembered (line 199 and 200). The memory of the drooping star,
which is the memory of Lincoln, the greatest person in the poet’s life and in
America, will also be remembered for always (line 201 until 204). Finally, the
poet, together with the lilac, star, and bird bid goodbye for the last time to
Lincoln.
Passing, I leave thee lilac with heart-shaped leaves, / I leave thee there
in the door-yard, blooming, returning with spring (line 193-194) refers to
Whitman’s hope. The lilac with heart-shaped leaves is Lincoln, and the spring is
Whitman’s hope. To have Lincoln as the leader of the country was what
Whitman and most of the American people wanted. They longed for a leader like
47
Lincoln. Therefore, Whitman hoped that there will be another Lincolns to lead
the country.
3.2
Interpretation of Symbol
The three dimensions of symbol, which are cosmic, oneiric, and poetic,
show three layers of meaning, they are: arché, telos, and eskaton. These three
layers of meaning will be discussed based on the symbolical analysis of the
poem.
3.2.1
Arché
This poem is full of the layer of arché, as the events in this poem
happened in the past and talking about a historical person. This poem is an elegy
that was written by Walt Whitman and dedicated to Abraham Lincoln. Both of
them lived in the past, at the same time, and were historical figures of America.
Walt Whitman was a well known American poet at his time, and Abraham
Lincoln was regarded as one of the greatest person in United States history.
There are some parts of the poem that show the layer of arché.
The first part of the poem shows the layer of arché in terms of a historical
figure in American history, President Abraham Lincoln. Based on the analysis of
the first part, the layer of arché is shown in line 1, which is a symbol of cosmic
and poetic dimension. When lilacs last in the dooryard bloom’d personify
Abraham Lincoln who became a successful person and regarded as the greatest
person in United States history near the end of his life.
48
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in the second line of the first
part shows the layer of arché in terms of a historical event in American history,
the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. And the great star early droop’d in the
western sky in the night refers to Abraham Lincoln who was assassinated at the
evening on April 14th 1865, just a few days after he achieved the victory he
fought for.
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in the second part shows the
layer of arché in terms of a historical figure and event in American history, the
President Abraham Lincoln and his death. O powerful western fallen star! (line
7) is a metaphor. The powerful western fallen star is the powerful president
Abraham Lincoln who lived in America, which is the western part of the world.
He was assassinated and died the day after.
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in line 9 of the second part
shows the layer of arché in terms of historical figures in American history,
President Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth. O great star disappear’d -O the black murk that hides the star! is a metaphor. It means that Booth
assassinated Lincoln and made him disappeared from this world. As has been
analyzed before, the star represents Lincoln and the black murk represents Booth.
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in the third part shows the
layer of arché in terms of historical figure in American history, Abraham
Lincoln, who had good characters. Stands the lilac-bush tall-growing with heartshaped leaves of rich green (line 13) personifies the figure of the tall President
Abraham Lincoln, who was the president of the United States and a great
charismatic leader. He was loved by his people, including Whitman. With many a
49
pointed blossom rising delicate, with the perfume strong I love (line 14) refers to
Abraham Lincoln who has good characters that are liked by the persona and his
people, and who was like a flower that blooms, with the successful things he did
for the United States, such as ended the slavery and won the American Civil
War.
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in the fourth part shows the
layer of arché in terms of historical figure in American history, Abraham
Lincoln, who fought for freedom from slavery. In the swamp in secluded
recesses / A shy and hidden bird is warbling a song, (In line 18-19) shows a
metaphor. The bird is Lincoln. Those lines refer to Lincoln in his own mind,
himself, wanted to end the slavery.
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in the eighth part shows the
layer of arché in terms of historical figure and event in American history. O
western orb sailing the heaven (line 55) refers to President Abraham Lincoln
who had power as a leader of the country. Now I know what you must have meant
as a month since I walk’d (line 56) refers to the night on the day of Lincoln’s
second inauguration, March 4th 2865, which was a month before his
assassination.
3.2.2
Telos
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in part four, nine, thirteen
show the layer of telos in terms of the ideal that was fought for by Abraham
Lincoln. The hermit withdrawn to himself, avoiding the settlements, / Sings by
himself a song. / Song of the bleeding throat (line 21-23) shows a metaphor.
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These lines portray how Lincoln fought for slavery with very little support; it is
like he has this ideal of abolishing slavery but a lot of American people,
especially in the South who practiced slavery, were against it.
By singing the song, Lincoln called the people and told them what was
bad to keep on practicing slavery, but only some people understood and realized,
including the persona. It can be seen from the sentences I hear your notes, I hear
your call, / I hear, I come presently, I understand you (line 67-68).
3.2.3
Eskaton
The symbol of cosmic and poetic dimension in the first part shows the
layer of eskaton in terms of Whitman’s hope for Lincoln that will not be able to
be fulfilled. In line 3 and 4, ever-returning spring is Whitman’s hope for
Lincoln’s resurrection after his death. Lincoln’s assassination is connected to the
death of Christ as it happened at the same time, spring. Spring symbolizes a
never ending hope as it always comes every year. Jesus Christ resurrected on the
third day after He was crucified. As he related Lincoln’s assassination to the
Christ’s crucifixion, Whitman hoped that Lincoln will also be resurrected.
The symbol of oneiric and poetic dimension in the first part shows the
layer of eskaton also in terms of Whitman’s hope for Lincoln that will not be
able to be fulfilled. In line 4, …trinity sure to me you bring is Whitman’s hope
for Lincoln to be like God the trinity. In Christian theology, trinity refers to
Christ as He is one in a form of three persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The
Holy Spirit is the form of God that always be with the humankind in the world to
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give what they need, even though Christ is in heaven. Whitman hoped that
Lincoln will also be with us in this world, even though he is now in heaven.