Section+10-Religion+vs.+God

From Christaline N. Block F Section 10: Jesus’ Presence in Whitman’s Text Read Text:
 * //The Yankee clipper is under// [|//her//] //sky-sails—she cuts the sparkle and scud;// ||
 * //My eyes settle the land—I bend at her prow, or shout joyously from the deck.// ||
 * //The boatmen and clam-diggers arose early and// [|//stopt//] //for me;// ||
 * //I tuck’d my trowser-ends in my boots, and went and had a good time:// ||
 * //(You should have been with us that day round the chowder-kettle.)// ||
 * //I saw the marriage of the trapper in the open air in the far west—the bride was a red girl;// ||
 * //Her father and his friends sat// [|//near//]//, cross-legged and dumbly smoking—they had moccasins to their feet, and large thick blankets hanging from their shoulders;// ||
 * //On a bank lounged the trapper—he was drest mostly in skins—his luxuriant beard and curls protected his// [|//neck//]//—he held his bride by the hand;// ||
 * //She had long eyelashes—her head was bare—her coarse straight locks descended upon her voluptuous limbs and reach’d to her feet.// ||
 * //The runaway slave came to my house and// [|//stopt//] //outside;// ||
 * //I heard his motions crackling the twigs of the woodpile;// ||
 * //Through the swung half-door of the kitchen I saw him limpsy and weak,// ||
 * //And went where he sat on a log, and led him in and assured him,// ||
 * //And brought water, and fill’d a tub for his sweated body and bruis’d feet,// ||
 * //And gave him a room that enter’d from my own, and gave him some coarse clean clothes,// ||
 * //And remember perfectly well his revolving eyes and his awkwardness,// ||
 * //And remember putting plasters on the galls of his neck and ankles;// ||
 * //He staid with me a week before he was recuperated and pass’d north;// ||
 * //(I had him sit next me at table—my fire-lock lean’d in the corner.)// ||
 * //She had long eyelashes—her head was bare—her coarse straight locks descended upon her voluptuous limbs and reach’d to her feet.// ||
 * //The runaway slave came to my house and// [|//stopt//] //outside;// ||
 * //I heard his motions crackling the twigs of the woodpile;// ||
 * //Through the swung half-door of the kitchen I saw him limpsy and weak,// ||
 * //And went where he sat on a log, and led him in and assured him,// ||
 * //And brought water, and fill’d a tub for his sweated body and bruis’d feet,// ||
 * //And gave him a room that enter’d from my own, and gave him some coarse clean clothes,// ||
 * //And remember perfectly well his revolving eyes and his awkwardness,// ||
 * //And remember putting plasters on the galls of his neck and ankles;// ||
 * //He staid with me a week before he was recuperated and pass’d north;// ||
 * //(I had him sit next me at table—my fire-lock lean’d in the corner.)// ||
 * //And went where he sat on a log, and led him in and assured him,// ||
 * //And brought water, and fill’d a tub for his sweated body and bruis’d feet,// ||
 * //And gave him a room that enter’d from my own, and gave him some coarse clean clothes,// ||
 * //And remember perfectly well his revolving eyes and his awkwardness,// ||
 * //And remember putting plasters on the galls of his neck and ankles;// ||
 * //He staid with me a week before he was recuperated and pass’d north;// ||
 * //(I had him sit next me at table—my fire-lock lean’d in the corner.)// ||
 * //And remember putting plasters on the galls of his neck and ankles;// ||
 * //He staid with me a week before he was recuperated and pass’d north;// ||
 * //(I had him sit next me at table—my fire-lock lean’d in the corner.)// ||
 * //He staid with me a week before he was recuperated and pass’d north;// ||
 * //(I had him sit next me at table—my fire-lock lean’d in the corner.)// ||
 * //(I had him sit next me at table—my fire-lock lean’d in the corner.)// ||

Analysis: We are immediately faced with Whitman’s familiar ideas on nature and the ideals he holds on freedom. Not only does the “Yankee clipper” clue in on his location and the possible beliefs he holds on the Civil war, but it symbolizes the individuality and freedom he believes is the key to happiness. Although Whitman’s life is faced with a teeming society of different races, white fur-trappers marrying Native American girls, and runaway slaves, he stands out amongst the Northern White American society in his service to the runaway slave. Jesus and Whitman: Washing of the Feet “Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God…he got up from the meal pour[ing] water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet. He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” (John 13: 3-7) Jesus washes one who is inferior to himself In a technical sense, the disciples viewed themselves as inferior to Jesus and were surprised in what he was doing. Likewise, Whitman shows no preference between races and serves the slave, washing his “bruis’d feet.” Although the Northern section of America primarily believed that slaves should be free, they were far from viewing them as equals. The fact that Whitman cleans the slave’s lowest, most filthy body part identifies his beliefs that all men are equal. Though this is true, this act of kindness does not only identify his views, but reveals a hidden theme in Whitman’s work. On Whitman’s Cardboard Butterfly reads, //“The first begotten of the dead, for use He rose, our glorious head, immortal life// //to bring. What though the saints like him shall die, they share their leaders// //victory, and triumph with their king.”// Not only does the quote make a direct reference to Jesus in the text, but the fact that Whitman writes it on a butterfly, further supports the fact that Whitman does somewhat agree with the theology of God. Symbolically, a butterfly has always been used to depict Jesus Christ because of the stages of development it goes through. Birth, death, and resurrection. While Whitman would not be characterized as religious due to the fact that he was a homosexual and did see Nature as the superior being in existence, there is no doubt some appreciation of God’s word. Unlike many, Whitman indentified religion and God as two separate beliefs and subjects. Religion is a set of beliefs concerning the cause, nature, and purpose of the universe, usually involving devotional and ritual observances, and often containing a moral code governing the conduct of human affairs. The Holy Trinity is a supreme soul who guides an individual into faith and trust, and promises eternal life for their faith. Most people unfortunately do not recognize this difference. A modern day connection would be, the all famous John Lennon! Lennon’s ever-popular song “Imagine” encourages the idea of “no Heaven” and “no religion too.” Although he did promote peace and cooperation between everyone, he thought of religion as a controlling force that denied freedom and certain values. Unfortunately he generalized organized religion with the belief in God. We forget that God is not religion. Religion is man-made, and God is himself, a separate antity. In this way, Whitman is characterized as an American writer. His use of controversial subjects on God, and identification does not bind itself to one era. He appreciates the philosophy that God had created, but recognized the controlling aspects that religion, a man-made philosophy, can have on people. Whitman’s text is socially referenced today and effective because of this. He was able to write freely and well due to his open mind and individual personality, yet his work still could be used and was not limited to one year, topic, or time. In this way, Whitman would be characterized as an All-American Writer. Unfortunately, other Transcendentalists, such as William Bryant, do not make this distinction and therefore are not open to viewing God’s word in their text. Other References to Biblical: //Thanatopsis// by William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) “Communion” (line 3) “Shalt thou retire alone” (line 32) Specifics: Religion or God? Whitman refers to God and Jesus Does this mean he is religious? Define Religion and God