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Political Poems: 'When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd' by Walt Whitman
Jul 28, 2024
This discussion delves into Walt Whitman's poignant elegy for Abraham Lincoln, focusing on how it intertwines personal grief with collective mourning. The speakers unpack Whitman's disdain for his famous work, 'O Captain! My Captain!', revealing deeper layers of emotion and symbolism in 'When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd.' They highlight Whitman's cosmic vision that connects the loss of Lincoln to the broader tragedy of the Civil War, featuring the redemptive voice of a thrush as a symbol of hope amidst sorrow.
10:35
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- Whitman's poem 'When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd' reframes Lincoln's assassination as a symbol of hope and healing for America post-Civil War.
- The poem's rich symbolism, including the lilac and hermit thrush, intertwines personal grief with a broader reflection on national loss and unity.
Deep dives
Walt Whitman's Admiration for Lincoln
Walt Whitman's admiration for President Abraham Lincoln is a central theme in his poetry. He viewed Lincoln as a savior figure for America, sharing a similar background of limited formal education and a rise from humble beginnings. Whitman's deep emotional investment in Lincoln’s presidency was evident even before Lincoln's assassination, as he frequented the White House and perceived Lincoln as a representation of hope for national unity. The assassination profoundly affected Whitman, leading him to channel his grief into poetry that memorializes Lincoln's legacy and contemplates the future of a reunited America.
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