Background information
Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist of the 19th century. He was widely considered to be the “father of free verse” and was mainly responsible for the success of the American poetry movement at the time. One of his most celebrated poems is ‘A Song of Joy’, an eloquent reflection of the joy of exploring nature and celebrating its greatness. It is also a poem that is widely deemed to be very influential in setting the foundation of escapism and free-thinking.
The poem was first published in the collection Leaves of Grass, which Whitman considered to be the ultimate culmination of his life’s work. He wrote it in 1856, the same year that saw the publication of his most beloved and most widely-read edition of Leaves of Grass. It consists of five quatrains in iambic trimeter. While the poem sounds relatively simple and light-hearted, it was really Whitman’s way of urging Americans to reconnect with nature and to appreciate its beauty.
Musical setting
The poem ‘A Song of Joy’ has been musically set by numerous different composers. Some of the most popular settings have been by composers such as Samuel Coleridge-Taylor and the modern composer, Matthew Harris. Coleridge-Taylor wrote a setting of the poem for piano and voice, which was premiered by the composer’s pupil, soprano Florence Beatrice Smith Price, in 1909. The piece has become a classic American standard, with many renowned artists from both classical and popular music performing the work.
The modern composer Matthew Harris wrote a setting for mixed chorus and orchestra of the poem for performance by the San Francisco Symphony Orchestra in 2011. It is particularly notable for its use of counterpoint and the harmonic richness and color of the accompaniment. The work has been performed, recorded and broadcasted multiple times around the world.
Influence on Modern Poetry
Walt Whitman’s ‘A Song of Joy’ was instrumental in establishing a certain style of poetry that is still very much in vogue today. Its usage of the ‘free-verse’ techniques, which uses neither a rhyme scheme nor meter, has become the dominant form of poetry in the United States. In fact, ‘A Song of Joy’ can be seen as the first successful poem to incorporate this technique. The poem has had a lasting influence and continues to be an inspiration for contemporary poets.
The poem’s influence was highlighted by American poet Robert Frost, who wrote: “Whitman’s ‘A Song of Joy’ is the first and last word in an entirely new rhythm in literature, and I do not see what civilised poems can be written without it”. The poem’s ability to touch on spiritual matters and its penchant for exploring nature and its beauty, is something that has resonated with readers over the years, and continues to do so to this day.
Political Implications
The poem ‘A Song of Joy’ can also be seen as a political poem in some respects. Whitman wrote the poem at a time of great tumult in America and was concerned about the rise of industrialisation and the rapid transformation of the country’s landscape and communities. The idea of connecting with nature and celebrating its beauty and greatness, was, for him, a way for Americans to reconnect with the country’s pastoral roots, even as it was becoming increasingly urbanised and industrialised.
The poem was Whitman’s way of encouraging Americans to push back against the forces of industrialisation and to value nature and its beauty. In this respect, the poem ‘A Song of Joy’ can be seen as a statement of political resistance, urging readers to appreciate and enjoy the simplicity and magnificence of nature.
Analysis
In ‘A Song of Joy’, Walt Whitman uses vivid imagery and language to capture the essence of nature and its beauty. He also utilises certain elements of metre and rhythm to create a sense of movement and flow in the poem. In many respects, the poem demonstrates Whitman’s ability to capture the identity of a nation, as well as its changing environment and its spiritual and political implications.
The poem is also significant in its impact on modern poetry. Whitman’s use of free-verse sparked a significant shift in American poetry and has become the go-to technique for many modern-day poets. By capturing the spirit of nature and its beauty and exploring its political implications, ‘A Song of Joy’ remains an important and influential piece of literature.
Stylistical Approach
The style in which Whitman wrote ‘A Song of Joy’ was very much the same as his usual work. He used simple words and a diverse range of language to create a balanced, lyrical result. The poem also follows a loose iambic metre and follows his basis approach to relying on imagery and symbolism to convey ideas and to create vivid mental images for the reader. The simplicity and interpretive nature of the poem makes it particularly accessible and enjoyable to read.
Whitman’s style of writing has been widely appreciated and has remained influential in contemporary poetry. In fact, his work has served as an inspiration to many poets, who have used a similar approach in their own works. The timelessness of the poem and its ability to capture the beauty of nature, makes ‘A Song of Joy’ a landmark piece of poetry.
Real-Life Connections
The poem ‘A Song of Joy’ has had a lasting impact on the way people relate to nature and on the way they appreciate its beauty. The poem is often quoted and its influence is widely evident in the way people approach nature and value its importance. In many respects, the poem has become a modern classic and its themes of reconnecting with nature, of appreciating its power and great beauty, still resonate with people today.
Its influence has also been seen in the work of contemporary artists, who have put a modern spin on the poem. For instance, the artist and poet Ai Weiwei created an installation out of thousands of sheets of abacus paper in 2017, referencing ‘A Song of Joy’. The installation was a powerful visual representation of the poem’s themes of nature and beauty.
Educational Impact
The poem ‘A Song of Joy’ has become a staple in American literature and educational circles and is widely featured in literature courses, as well as discussed in book and poetry clubs. Its lasting impact and its importance in setting the framework for modern-day poetry and in capturing a particular moment in time, make it a relevant topic in the classroom.
The poem can be used to help students and readers understand the concept of free-verse, as well as explore its implications for the relationship between people and nature. It can also be used to discuss the impact of Whitman’s work on modern-day poetry, as well as its influence on other artists and writers.
Criticism
Although ‘A Song of Joy’ has been generally well-received and praised, it has also been subject to criticism in some cases. For instance, some critics have argued that the poem is overly sentimental and lacks genuine depth. Other critics have questioned Whitman’s shift towards free-verse, suggesting it has detracts from the poem’s impact and makes it suffer from a lack of meaning.
The poem has also been criticised for its lack of political analysis. For instance, some have suggested that the poem does not sufficiently address the issues of the time, such as the plight of Native Americans, the rise of industrialisation and the issues surrounding slavery. On the other hand, others have argued that the poem’s use of nature as a vehicle for political resistance is significant and still relevant to contemporary discussions.
