Write a note on Whitman’s use of images and symbols.

Answer

Write a note on Whitman’s use of images and symbols. [NU: 2017, 20] ★★★

Walt Whitman (1819-1892) is a famous American poet. He uses images and symbols in his poetry to express deep feelings. In both “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” and “O Captain! My Captain!,” Whitman uses many symbols and images to show his grief about the death of Abraham Lincoln.

Images from Nature: In “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” (1865), Whitman takes three main images from nature—the lilac, the star, and the bird. The lilac stands for love and respect. The lilac leaves are heart-shaped and rich green. Whitman plucks a sprig of lilac and offers it to the coffin of Lincoln. This act makes the lilac a symbol of respect.

The star stands for Lincoln who has fallen. The bird sings a mournful song. These natural symbols help Whitman to express his sorrow and love for the dead leader.

The Funeral Images: Whitman also uses the images of the coffin and mourning crowds. He describes that a coffin has arrived. He draws the sad and silent crowd of mourners. Countless torches are also lit to show respect to Lincoln.

“…With the silent sea of faces

…the arriving coffin, and the sombre faces.”

These images perfectly show a grieving nation.

Ship and Captain: “O Captain! My Captain!” (1865) is a symbolic poem. In this poem, the captain is Abraham Lincoln and the ship is America. The captain dies just after returning his ship safely to the shore. The trip was stormy and fearful. This “fearful trip” is the symbol of the American Civil War (1861-1865). Lincoln died just after leading the nation to victory. So, in this symbolic poem, Whitman is expressing his deep sorrow and respect for Lincoln. He writes:

“Where on the deck my Captain lies,

Fallen cold and dead.”

To sum up, Whitman