2.1. SONG OF THE OPEN ROAD.pdf

2.1 Song of the Open Road Poet – Walt Whitman ABOUT POET – Walt Whitman Born-31 May 1819, West Hills,NewYork,U.S. Died-26 March 1892, Camden,New Jersey,U.S. An American poet, essayist & journ...

2.1 Song of the Open Road Poet – Walt Whitman ABOUT POET – Walt Whitman Born-31 May 1819, West Hills,NewYork,U.S. Died-26 March 1892, Camden,New Jersey,U.S. An American poet, essayist & journalist. Whitman is one of the most influential poets in American literature. Known as`The Father of free verse He was a part of the transition between transcendentalism &realism, By Bejoy Sir incorporating both views in his work. Walt Whitman Some Great Literary Works (poems):-Leaves of grass Song of MyselfCalamusSong of the Open RoadO Captain!My Captain { Is an extended metaphor poem written in 1865, about the death of American President Abraham Lincoln.}  ABOUT POEM-2.1 Song of the Open Road ‘Song of the Open Road’ is taken from the volume ‘Leaves of Grass’. It is a beautiful blend of self – awareness, free will & tenderness of heart. This poem is an ode to one’s self. Whitman reveals in it, his own independence & ability to control his life & this idea of self – determinism has continued to influence readers since the publication of ‘Leaves of Grass’ in 1855. The road in the poem does not mean only the road to travel. The poet wants to suggest the road of life. New Words New words and their meaning 1. Afoot- going on foot, walking, in motion 2. brown path- bare land 3. postpone- to stop for few days 4. suffice- enough, adequate, sufficient 5. deliciuos burdens(here)- sweet memories of the past 6. whimper - low voice of cry or agony, unhappiness, sadness 7. querulous - argumentative, complaining 8. constellations - Here it means group, collection, gathering of people 9. light-hearted – cheerful, care-free 10.take to – begin Stanza -1 “Afoot and light-hearted I take to the openroad, Healthy, free, the world beforeme, The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose.” From this stanza, the reader is able to glean several important points: first, the speaker is setting out on the open road on foot. Secondly, he is light-hearted and open to all he is about to experience. Additionally, the speaker recognizes that it is he who is in control of his journey. He will choose where the path will take him on his journey.  Stanza-2 “Henceforth I ask not good-fortune, I myself am good-fortune, Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms, Strong and content, I travel the open road.” The speaker says that he does not have to pray for good luck because he is the maker of his own luck. He will no longer cry or hesitate to do what he wants because he is in need of nothing. He is no longer content with being walled inside; he is strong and happy to be on the open road. In line six, Whitman writes of “querulous criticisms.” The use of alliteration here emphasizes the speaker’s carefree tone, which is continued throughout the course of Song of the Open Road. Stanza-3 “The earth, that is sufficient, I do not want the constellations any nearer, I know they are very well where they are, I know they suffice for those who belong tothem.” Here, the speaker seems to separate himself from others. He says the earth is fine the way it is; he does not desire to be any closer to the stars than he already is. He knows they are fine where they are, and he knows they are good enough for those who belong to them. This last line is in strong contrast to the rest of the poem, where the speaker emphasizes his free will and independence, which means he probably does not include himself in the group of people who belong to the constellations. He does not belong to them because he does not need them.  Stanza-4 “(Still I carry my old delicious burdens, I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go, I swear it is impossible for me to get rid of them, I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return.)” Whitman’s use of parentheses here makes the stanza more of an aside than its own separate being; it is almost an afterthought that the speaker decides to throw in, but it is still important to Song of the Open Road. Here, the speaker admits that he is not without his own problems, but instead of fretting, he relishes them. The reader can see this through Whitman’s diction. His use of the word delicious is no accident; through that word, Whitman conveys the sense of relish the speaker feels for his burden. In the second line of the final stanza, the speaker admits to all that he carries them with him wherever he goes; this thought is continued in the final two lines of the poem. The speaker declares that he cannot rid himself of them; instead, he and his burdens share a symbiotic relationship of sorts: he is filled with his burdens, and in return, he fills them. The speaker is stating here that his burdens do not define him; rather, he accepts them and carries them with him wherever he goes.  FREE VERSE Free Verse:- Free Verse is a poetry that does not rhyme or have a regular rhythm.. Features of Free Verse It is free from limitations of regular metre or rhythm. Does not have rhyme with fixed forms,& still it provides an artistic expression. Poet can give his own shape to a poem as he desires. Poet can use various poetic devices to create the effect he considers suitable for the piece. Figures of speech: 1) The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose....... Alliteration – The consonant letter ‘l’ is repeated. 2) Henceforth I ask not good- fortune, I myself am good- fortune...... Repetition - Word ‘good –fortune’ is repeated. 3) I carry them, men and women, I carry them with me wherever I go.....Repetition - Words 'Carry them’ are repeated. 4) Still here I carry my old delicious burdens.....Paradox- Delicious and burden express opposite meaning.  5) Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticism..... Tautology- ‘Complaint and Querulous’ expresses same meanings. 6) Still here........burdens. Metaphor - Old sweet memories are indirectly compared to something delicious. 7) Henceforth I....need no more –Climax....Words are arranged in their ascending order of importance. 8) Querulous Criticism. Alliteration- Sound ‘k’ is repeated. 9) Strong and content I travel the open road. Inversion- The words are not in a correct prose order. The correct prose order is – I travel the open road strong and content.  10)I am fill’d with them, and I will fill them in return. Repetition- The word ‘fill’ is repeated. 11) Afoot and light-hearted I take to the open road. Inversion- The words are not in a correct prose order. The correct prose order is – I take to the open road afoot and lighthearted. 12) Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms.Climax- Ideas are arranged is ascending order. 13)Song of the open road – Personification Non-living object road is shown singing. 14) I carry my old delicious burdens. Paradox-Burdens are described as delicious. It is absurd.A burden cannot be delicious. The poet has used this combination of words to express that he has many sweet memories of the people and places which he would like to remember forever.  Appreciation of the Poem About the Poem/Poet/Title Title:- Song of the Open Road Poet:- Walt Whitman Poem :- This poem is taken from ‘Leaves of Grass’ published in 1855. Theme The theme of this poem is freedom. When a person takes the open road, you feel, "Healthy, free, the world before me." Being free means being able to do whatever one wants to do. It means having no troubles upon you and wants nothing except to relax. Which means this poem also exemplifies relaxation and enjoyment. This poem also inspires us to be self-reliant. Only hard work, commitment, self belief, strong belief, confidence and a sense of equality can lead us to success in life.  Poetic Style:- It is a Free Verse poem. The length of line & stanza is not equal. The Language, Poetic Devices in poem It is written in an easy & effective language. Figure of speech used in this poem are metaphor, alliteration, paradox, repetition, Personification and inversion. Special Features Common errors are shown about everyone’s life. Some interesting words like – constellations, delicious burden, make wonderful play of imagination. Message/ Values/Morals of the poem It encourages us to enjoy the life in a healthy and free world. We can fight & change the situation with the help of our knowledge, self reliance, hard work, self belief & experiences. Your opinion about the poem I like this poem because it is an inspirational poem. It motivates me to work hard and be self dependent to climb the ladder of success.  Solve the activities 1) Walt Whitman is an ---------- poet. a)Indian b)English c)American d)French 2) The Poem "Song Of the Open Road" is taken from Whitman`s great work--------. a) A Mocking Bird b) O Captain! My Captain !! c)Statue Of Liberty d) Leaves of Grass 3) In the poem"Song Of The Open Road" the `Road` signifies-------- a) Road of Life b) Airways c) brown road d) concrete road 4) "Old Delicious Burdens" means --------. a) the luggage b) the food he carries c) the stress he bears d) sweet memories of the past 5) The literary device used in the poem ---------. a) blank verse b) free verse c) open verse 6)The road is described as-----------. a) open b) light-hearted c) healthy d) good 7)" Hence forth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing " these lines focus the poet`s following trait: a) self confidence b) dependent c) responsible d) self sustainable 8) "Song Of The Open Road " Identify the figure of speech a) Metaphor b) Alliteration c) Climax d) Inversion 9) The word "constellations" stands for ------. a)Group of people who gossip b)Group of over confident persons c) Influential group of people d)Persons who want followers FOR ALL MY DEAR STUDENTS WITH LOVE & BLESSINGS,