English 11
Live Oak, With Moss
Walt Whitman?s Live Oak, With Moss , is an intricate portrayal of love, both physical and mental. Throughout the poem, Whitman incorporates an array of metaphors symbolic of love and the many characteristics associated with love. Dissimilar to mainstream poetry, Whitman introduces a friend-lover relationship between two men, describing the pain and happiness associated with their love.
Throughout Live Oak, With Moss, Whitman illustrates the great pleasure associated with love. Introducing his love as a consuming burning flame, Whitman affectively gains the complete attention of the reader. Once convenient, Whitman begins to describe the many sensations associated with his love. Using the wind, the water, fire and nature as his tools, Whitman encompasses the reader with a sense of warmth and love. Before venturing on to specifics, Whitman reveals the meaning of Live Oak, With Moss . Symbolic of himself, he describes the Live Oak, With Moss as a rude, unbending, and lusty creature, alone in a field, with only soft moss for comfort. The significance of the description is overwhelming. Whitman see?s himself as a rude, closed-minded, and lusty person, who spends a considerable amount of time alone. However, Whitman views himself as a different person when he is in the company of his companion. With the live Oak representing Whitman, and the tender green Moss representing Whitman?s companion, these two separate entities form one. Happy, loving, and open-minded, the love emanating from Whitman is a sign of true life.
As the poem progresses on, Whitman uncovers the sadness of his life. Viewing praise as a hollow feeling, Whitman expresses his constant sadness in life.
? When I heard at the close of the day how I had been praised in the Capitol
still it was not a happy night for me that followed;
Nor when I caroused-Nor when my favorite planes were accomlished-was
I really happy?
In these simple lines, Whitman is depicting the feelings of a life without love. Being uninhibited by love, Whitman was robbed of all the subtile feelings which are associated with love. Without diversion, Whitman moves directly to the happiness in his life. Unaccustomed to the characteristics associated with true love, Whitman stumbles through life, pursuing the most outstanding goals, always assuming that happiness lies at the end of the hardest journey. Looking back upon decades of sadness, Whitman informs the reader that the pursuit of happiness is not the pursuit of excellence, but the pursuit of love.
Over the remainder of the poem, Whitman discredits the life which he set out upon as a young man, claiming that it was foolish to rely on knowledge as the key to happiness. Further opposing his work, Whitman asks the reader not to know and love his poems, but to know and love the author. Additionally, Whitman suggests that in order to truly understand and appreciate poetry, one must both understand and appreciate the poet.
Towards completion of the poem, Whitman moves steadily closer to his goal of happiness. Disclosing a new and positive attitude, Whitman proceeds to establish himself as a teacher of love. One who didn?t learn early on, but through knowledge and time was blessed with the happiness that can only be attributed to love.
Другие работы по теме:
Poem Fading Away Essay Research Paper as
Poem: Fading Away Essay, Research Paper as i gaze at the falling rain trying to get away from all the pain som uch tension rising in the air dying inside does anyone care
Elk Island Essay Research Paper The field
Elk Island Essay, Research Paper The field trip to Elk Island Park taken by both biology twenty classes was an interesting and fun day. We learnt about many different types of plant and animal life in different ecosystems and how they contribute to their ecosystem. The two main ecosystems we looked at in detail were the marsh and the bog.
Reasons For Undertaking A Project On Land
Essay, Research Paper The reason that I decided to undertake this particular project was that I live on a farm and with doing so I had a rather broad spectrum of things I could do on the land, but nothing else interested me as
My Poetical Side Essay Research Paper I
My Poetical Side Essay, Research Paper I just thought I?d unleash My poetical side. ?Cause in everyday life I live to hide. Need something of freedom From time-to-time.
Hobbema Essay Research Paper In central Alberta
Hobbema Essay, Research Paper In central Alberta there is a little town called Hobbema. And there are four little Indian Reservations. They are Montana, Samson, Louis Bull, and Erimineskin. I live on the Ermineskin Reservation .It is a very interesting place to live and we also have many schools on the different reservations.
Life Essay Research Paper You have been
Life Essay, Research Paper You have been ready to move on for quite some time But maybe not so ready to let go Of all that you know (Your friends, your family, and all the sweet memories)
State Of Nature Essay Research Paper If
State Of Nature Essay, Research Paper If human beings lived in a state of nature they would be free. Free from any form of government. Free from people telling them how to live and how to do their job. These people would have no boss or parents to deal with. Ideally this would be the kind of environment that people would like to live in.
Living By The Water Essay Research Paper
LIVING BY THE WATER If I could chose to live by the mountains or by the water, I would chose to live by the water. Almost all of my life, I have wanted to live by the water. To be able to live by the water would be the greatest gift to me. I just love to be around water.
Crucible 2 Essay Research Paper It is
Crucible 2 Essay, Research Paper It is more noble to die with integrity than it is to compromise one s principle in order to live. —– Danforth: I say, will you confess yourself, Goody Nurse? Rebecca: Why it is a lie, it is a lie;; how may I damn myself? I cannot, I cannot. —–Arthur Miller s, The Crucible, was a play with many themes.
Poem Belong Essay Research Paper Where I
Poem: Belong Essay, Research Paper Where I belong I am weak, I am strong I will fit where I belong don’t know where it is for now but it will come, if I allow tomorrow, I start a brand new day
Changes In Life Essay Research Paper Today
Changes In Life Essay, Research Paper Today we live in a society that is always changing. This is because of technology. New technology allows us to work faster and better than before. Unfortunately, people have not learned to live together in peace. If I ruled the world, I would try to bring all people together.
Argument Essay Essay Research Paper In today
Argument Essay Essay, Research Paper In today s society there are many couples that live together. Why let unmarried couples live together? There isn t a specific problem with unmarried couples that live out in the American Society. People are getting divorced left and right in today s age. More than 50% of marriages broke up during the decade of the 90 s.
Leaving You Essay Research Paper i must
Leaving You Essay, Research Paper i must leave you for a short while please do not grieve and shed wild tears and hug your sorrows to you through the years but start out bravely with a gallant
Who I Am Essay Research Paper Hi
Who I Am Essay, Research Paper Hi there. What?s going on? To answer a few of your questions, I live in Valley Stream in Nassau County. I will travel anywhere to be with the one I love. I am a very sensitive and caring guy. I love to go to the movies, I love to dance and no I do not smoke. Lol. I have perfect teeth and I want to keep it that way.
Your Parents Raise You To Live Their
Lives Essay, Research Paper Your Parents Raise You To Live Their Lives Well, I don’t think that, that is true but there are always exceptions. For the most part I just think that one’s parents raise them according to the mistakes which they have made through out the course of their life. The only answer for my reasoning is that through out my life I have made graver mistakes more often than most.
Rose Circle Essay Research Paper Rose oh
Rose Circle Essay, Research Paper Rose, oh how you lie there, Lifeless and withered, Deprived of water and of food, You struggle to survive, You catch the odd droplet of life,
Green Moss Essay Research Paper In the
Green Moss Essay, Research Paper In the essay entitled “The Decline of Fatherhood” the author David Popenoe discuses the problem of children growing up without their fathers. The subject of fatherless homes hits right at home for me. I was raised in a single parent home, but unlike the cases that Popenoe discuses, my father stayed in my life.
Contrast Of Richard
’s Homes Essay, Research Paper This diorama is a contrast between Richard?s original home, at his grandma?s house, and where he moves to later, with Mr. and Mrs. Moss and their daughter Bess.
Oak Ridges Moraine Essay Research Paper TO
Oak Ridges Moraine Essay, Research Paper TO SAVE OR NOT TO SAVE, THAT IS THE QUESTION A P P E N D I X 1 1.1 If current development proposals before York and Durham Regions are approved, 56 000 more people will live on the Moraine, 47 000 of whom will live outside existing settlements.
Setting Essay Essay Research Paper Setting EssayThere
Setting Essay Essay, Research Paper Setting Essay There is a place high in the limestone bluffs of Southern Illinois, where Daniel loves to spend his time. He perches on fallen tree trunks and watches flowers bloom in the springtime. He inhales their fragrant smell and daydreams until evening. This green haven of luscious moss and feathery ferns is peaceful year round.
Life Essay Research Paper LifeWhat is it
Life Essay, Research Paper Life What is it that makes life interesting? Better yet, does life even have a purpose? Right away most people would have answered yes to this question, but how sure are we if yes is the right answer. I too question myself if everyone on Earth or this whole universe has a meaning to live.
Plato Essay Research Paper There are many
Plato Essay, Research Paper There are many ways in which the philosophy of Plato and Aristotle have reached that of that of Saint Thomas Aquinas, due to the fact that Aristotle thought the world that we live in today is the ultimate reality. While Plato thought the world that we see every day is real but is not the ultimate reality.
Why I Live Where I Live Essay
, Research Paper Why I live where I live I think that it would be much less time consuming to write about why I shouldn’t live here. I find something special in where I live now that I have never experienced anywhere else. Even though I have only lived here for under two weeks I have never been so happy with another living environment, or felt so much unending freedom.
Poem Objects Essay Research Paper Max E
Poem: Objects Essay, Research Paper Max E. Gaytan 4-5-00 One object can unlock All secrets of the world. It can create happiness And endless piece in the World. It can cure diseases
Effects Of Advertising Essay Research Paper Effects
Effects Of Advertising Essay, Research Paper Effects of advertising Advertising promotes more than mere products in our popular culture. Because images used in advertising are often idealized, they eventually set the standard which we in turn feel we must live up to. Advertisements serve to show us what the ideal image is, and further tell us how to obtain it.
Dreams And Ambition Essay Research Paper I
Dreams And Ambition Essay, Research Paper I am sure everybody that still live in this world had their own ambition .For example, what is the dream of a fat ladies or men? Of
Chris Moss Vs Dr Terry Preece Essay
, Research Paper Chris Moss vs. Dr. Terry Preece and the Edgewoord Unified School District May it please the court, counsel: My name is Zach Keeton and along