Use of Symbol in Whitman’s Poem “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”
A symbol is anything that signifies or
stands for something else. In this sense all words are symbol. Symbol may be
public or conventional or private. “The cross”, “the red” etc are public or conventional
symbols they signify objects of which the further significance is fixed and
traditional in a particular culture. Private symbol are those whose
significance the writers generate for themselves, and the readers are in
difficulty in understanding them.
Whiteman’s symbols are mostly private or
personal. In “when Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” we find symbol which
are mostly of that natural. The poem belongs to Drum-Taps volume. The very title indicates or symbolizes all that
are connected with war-the drum-call, bombs, clatter of weapons, etc. lilac is
of Persian origin, and symbolize manly love. In the poem “When Lilac Last in
the Dooryard Bloom’d” Lilac symbolizes his love for the great leader (Lincoln)
whom he loves most. Lilac also symbolizes the recurrence of the memory of
Lincoln. The heart-shaped green leaves stands for the lush, unadulterated
feelings that come out from the heart of man.
In the beginning of the poem “Spring”
has been addressed as a deity which will bring the trinity to him. Spring
symbolizes recurrence of every existence after its temporary extinction. In the
context of the poem, it symbolizes the recurrence of the memory of thee great
leader, Lincoln, and consequent to the recurrence, is the immortality of the
great soul.
The symbol in the poem is the Western Star, Venus. It is a complex symbol. Sometimes it symbolizes Lincoln himself
who, in the eyes of the poet, is very lofty as a leader, and far brighter and
larger than any other leader of America up to the time of Whitman. But
sometimes it symbolizes a heavenly body having mystic relationship with the
terrestrial beings. Sometimes it symbolizes the recurrence of the memory of
Lincoln.
The next symbol is the “hermit-thrush”’
which is shy, withdrawn, from other birds or animals, and pours out melodious
song from the recesses of the swamp. The thrush is identified with the bird is
the threw of the poet himself. The bird’s song tallies the voice of the poet’s
spirit.
The funeral procession of Lincoln’s
corpse symbolizes a spiritual journey towards understanding death. It begins in
sorrow and gloom, but ends in joy and serenity of spirit, an acceptance of
death as the happy ending of life.
Grass is a recurrent symbol in Whitman’s poetry. It symbolizes democracy, and also the miracle of the universe, the
mystery of life and nature.
“I” in Whitman’s poetry symbolizes the
whole of the humanity at large, human beings of all places and times.
Besides the above-mentioned symbols,
many other symbols occur. Whitman’s symbols are unique- they are for all people
of all times, and they evoke emotions and feelings essential for the
understanding of the significance of his poetry.
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