In “I Sit and Look Out,” Walt Whitman observes the world around him and reflects on the human condition. He begins by noting that he is not “blind” to the beauty of nature, but he sees beyond its surface. Instead, Whitman sees the world as a place of suffering and injustice. He sees people who are struggling to survive, and he feels compassion for them. Whitman also recognizes that there is hope in the world, and that people can change it for the better. Ultimately, Whitman’s poem is a call for humanity to come together and create a better future.
“I sit and peer out” by Walt Whitman is a timeless phrase that reminds us of all sorts of misery and carnage in life that have emerged since capitalism came about. The century saw a fundamental transformation in the lives of individuals, with the rat race for materialistic possessions growing more prominent and principles being relegated to the sidelines. The poet attempts to portray such a sad tale of human existence by trying to seem like an outsider who observes everything but does nothing to change it.
The poem “I sit and look out” is a short but an intensely evocative one which Walt Whitman wrote at the height of his creative powers. The title of the poem suggests that the poet is not an active participant in the world around him but is merely an onlooker who looks at the world around him with a sense of detachment. The first two lines of the poem “I sit and look out / Upon all the sorrows of the world,” reinforce this idea as they suggest that the poet is not moved by the sorrows and injustices that he sees around him.
However, despite his detached air, it is clear that Whitman is deeply affected by what he sees and that he feels a great deal of compassion for the suffering of others. This is evident in the third line of the poem, “And upon all the anguish and pain / I hear daily groans and cries,” which suggests that Whitman is deeply moved by the suffering of others.
The poem goes on to describe the various ways in which people suffer under the yoke of capitalism. In particular, Whitman focuses on the plight of workers who are forced to work long hours for little pay. He also highlights the fact that many people are living in poverty and are unable to afford basic necessities such as food and shelter.
Furthermore, Whitman argues that capitalist society is responsible for creating a growing rift between rich and poor. He claims that the rich are becoming richer while the poor are becoming poorer. In addition, Whitman suggests that capitalism is responsible for the exploitation of workers and the oppressed. He argues that the capitalist system is based on the principle of profit over people.
The poem “I sit and look out” is a powerful indictment of capitalist society. Whitman makes a compelling case against the exploitative nature of capitalism. He highlights the fact that capitalism creates inequality and misery for the many while benefiting only a few. The poem is an effective piece of socialist propaganda that would have resonated with many people in Whitman’s time.
Although Walt Whitman wrote “I sit and look out” over 150 years ago, the poem is still relevant today. This is because the problems that Whitman highlights in the poem, such as exploitation, inequality, and poverty, are still prevalent in capitalist societies. The poem is a timeless critique of capitalism and its harmful effects on the lives of ordinary people.
The capitalization of the verb “sit” in this Walt Whitman poem emphasizes the passivity of an onlooker. This also represents the speaker, who does nothing and remains stagnant. Furthermore, his inaction alludes to being content and disconnected from reality; he is physically miles away from people suffering. Alternatively, the phrase ‘look out’ reveals that despite feeling removed from others’ pain, he is sincere in his observations.
The poem is essentially about the speaker’s observation of the world and his reaction to it. The first stanza talks about how the speaker is sitting in a safe place, looking out at the suffering of the world. He sees all the pain and misery, but feels no need to help because he is not affected by it. The speaker is content to just sit and watch from afar.
The second stanza delves into the speaker’s thoughts on human nature. He believes that people are capable of great evil, but they also have the capacity for good. He sees both sides of humanity, but ultimately feels more hopeful than anything else. The third stanza returns to the idea of sitting and watching from a safe place. The speaker compares himself to a bird in a cage, who can only watch as the world goes by.
The fourth stanza is where the speaker’s true feelings are revealed. He talks about how he wants to help those who are suffering, but he can’t because he is too far away. The poem ends with the speaker wondering if anyone out there is watching and empathizing with him, just as he is observing and empathizing with the pain of the world.
The employment of free verses in “I sit and look out” by Walt Whitman implies a fixed condition. Throughout the poem, the poet maintains a sinister pessimism, painting an apocalyptical picture that has an impact on readers as they read on.
The first stanza itself is laden with personification, as the poet speaks of the world “holding hands”. This could be interpreted in many ways, but it seems that Whitman is trying to say that the world is one big family and that we should all look out for each other. He also talks about how “None ever loved as I have loved” which could be seen as him being disappointed in love, or perhaps he is simply talking about the love he has for humanity.
The second stanza Walt Whitman employs repetition of the words “I sit and look out”. This adds to the idea of him being stationary and not doing anything to change the world around him. It almost seems as if he is content with just being a spectator. However, the line “When the night is dark and sinking” could be seen as him losing hope in the future.
The third stanza Walt Whitman speaks about how all his “native land” and “forefathers” have left him. This creates a sense of isolation and abandonment. He also talks about how the world is “drowning” and “choking” which further adds to the idea of an apocalyptic scenario.