Section+10

Section 10 again describes the peacefulness of nature, and when mentioning death is a natural thing, “Alone, far in the wilds and mountains” (177) the speaker is “amazed at [his] own lightness and glee” (168) from the beauty that surrounds him. Nature brings a feeling of calmness that the city cannot. The speaker’s “eyes settle the land” and visually explore the vast expanse of territory in which the speaker feels excited because he can finally be at a place where there are no disruptions to disturb his thoughts such as in a bustling city. The “Yankee clipper” clues in to the speaker’s location, and also to his political standings, supporting the freedom of all and the northern territory (179). A trapper in the area married “a red girl” meaning a Native American (177). Native Americans are traditionally thought of being in touch with nature, and their marriage symbolizes forming a bond or commitment to nature. Furthermore, it demonstrates that individuality can lead to a brotherhood between persons.This concept of brotherhood is then applied by the speaker to dramatize the treatment of a “runaway slave” and the way he “assured him”(189.192). The speaker shows no preexisting discrimination towards the slave and accepts him into his care as his own. Therefore, the speaker applies his inner freedom to another and allows them to discover the same freedom through brotherhood. Likewise, the author shows no preference as he washes the slave’s “sweated body and bruised feet” (193). This humble action creates an atmosphere of thoughfulness rather than submission, which leads to more thoughtful conclusions about a parallelism to religion. Just as someone considered being higher than him serves the slave, so does the religious icon Jesus Christ represent an equal humility, creating a duality that reinforces the author’s message of brotherhood.

Section 10 also displays Whitman's idea that society is taking over Nature. At first, being alone in the woods, the speaker is at one with nature and without society's influence. Society has not entered Nature yet, and everything is in balance. The "Yankee Clipper" is a tiny part of society that has entered Nature and "cuts the sparkle and scud" of the water, just as society will cut through Nature (179). By depicting the marriage of a trapper and a Native American it demonstrates that society has come even deeper into Nature. Native Americans are very in tune with Nature and the spiritual side to it, while trappers use nature for money. The trapper will dominate the relationship because he is the husband, as society eventually does to Nature. The "runaway slave" with the "sweated body and bruised feet" depicts that society has come so low as to own other humans, and therefore destroy the capability of any individual thought.

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 also symbolizes the individuality and freedom he believes is key of acquiring happiness. Although the speaker’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)

In a technical sense, the disciples viewed themselves as inferior to Jesus and were surprised to see what he was doing. Likewise, Whitman shows no preference or prejudice between races and serves the slave by 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 filthiest and lowliest body part identifies his beliefs that all men are equal. Whitman’s act of kindness not only displays his views on equality, but also reveals a hidden theme in Whitman’s work.

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 somewhat agrees with the theology of God and his power by saying “our glorious head, immortal life to bring.”

Symbolically, a butterfly has often been used to depict Jesus Christ becausue of the stages of development including birth, death, and resurrection that he went through. Some references to this symbolism have not only been recorded orally, but are evident throughout Christian culture. References to butterfly:

> that takes place through Christ's redemption and regeneration. When 'born again,' we become 'a new creation.' (2 Cor. 5:17)"
 * "the Divine Being [Jesus] develops within itself so that it is continually identifying itself with the beings it evolves, or that come forth from it, just as the grub maintains its [|substantial] identity throughout its transformation into chrysalis and butterfly"
 * http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04413a.htm
 * "shoots forth, even as caterpillars in the fields, when they are fastened by a thread to a stone, are wont to be changed into a butterfly"
 * http://www.newadvent.org/fathers/0707.htm
 * "[Butterflies remind] Christians of the amazing transformation that takes place through Christ's redemption and regeneration. When 'born again,' we become 'a new creation.' (2 Cor. 5:17)"
 * http://www.crossroad.to/Books/symbols1.html

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 that he appreciated God’s word. Unlike many, Whitman identified 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, 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 entity.

Listen to "Imagine" --> media type="file" key="John Lennon - Imagine.mp3"

Lyrics for "Imagine":

Imagine there's no Heaven It's easy if you try No hell below us Above us only sky Imagine all the people Living for today

Imagine there's no countries It isn't hard to do Nothing to kill or die for And no religion too Imagine all the people Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions I wonder if you can No need for greed or hunger A brotherhood of man Imagine all the people Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer But I'm not the only one I hope someday you'll join us And the world will live as one

(Lyrics from: http://www.lyrics007.com/John%20Lennon%20Lyrics/Imagine%20Lyrics.html Song from iTunes)

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 recognizes the controlling aspects that religion, a man-made philosophy, can have on people. Today, Whitman’s text socially references his views on religion. He was able to write freely because he was open-minded and had an original and individualistic personality, yet his work is still referenced today due to its ability to be relative in any time period, or topic. In this way, Whitman is characterized as an All-American Writer.

Unfortunately, other Transcendentalists, such as William Cullen Bryant, do not make this distinction, and therefore are not open to viewing God’s word or to use it effectively in their text.


 * Other Biblical References:**

//Thanatopsis// by William Cullen Bryant (1794-1878) “Communion” (line 3) “Shalt thou retire alone” (line 32)

This section is composed of snapshots of his life in order to explicate the presence of civilization competing with nature. Gradually, the serene scene of nature is disrupted by civilization’s marks on it. In stanza one, the hunter is in complete bliss, since he is “at my own lightness and glee,” (169). Nothing makes the character more at ease that being out in the natural world with man’s best friend at his side and eating the spoils of his hard work. At the same time he has both his “dog and his gun by” his side (171), representing the two sides of his life, nature being the dog and humanity’s corruption displayed through the gun. In stanza two and three, Whitman recounts a Yankee clipper ship as “she cuts the sparkle and scud,” (173). In essence the vessel is plainly splitting the water and therefore disturbing nature. In the third stanza, he witnesses a marriage to an Indian girl “in the far west,” (176). The west for the Americas is the last frontier and last untouched piece of Earth set apart from human interaction besides the Native Americans. They took such an incredible care of their surroundings that their effect was hardly noticeable. There becomes a merge of the two cultures since nature and society are directly clashing. Now the white men have penetrated this haven to impress their ideas on the natives who love nature so much. In the last stanza, society shows its malevolent side through their depiction of slavery. Society is finally cut off from nature through the result of the sale of human beings, instead of realizing that man was never given that right.