Poem Analysis - Long I Thought That Knowledge

Introduction: A Journey to Love's Embrace

Walt Whitman's "Long I Thought that Knowledge" is a poem about shifting priorities and the ultimate surrender to love. It begins with a tone of ambition and purpose, outlining various passions the speaker once held dear, but it transitions into a declaration of renunciation. The mood evolves from one of outward engagement with the world to one of inward focus on personal connection. The poem ultimately celebrates the transformative power of love and its ability to eclipse all other aspirations.

The Eclipse of Ambition: Love as the Ultimate Goal

One of the central themes is the rejection of traditional ambitions in favor of love. The speaker initially pursues knowledge, patriotic engagement with the American landscape, and heroic ideals. He even embraces the role of a national poet. However, each of these pursuits is eventually dismissed as insufficient. "Long I thought that knowledge alone would suffice me—O if I could but obtain knowledge!" he exclaims, indicating the initial allure of intellectual pursuit. But later, he states, "I heed knowledge, and the grandeur of The States, and the example of heroes, no more," clearly showing that love has superseded all of these former desires. The poem contrasts the transient satisfaction of worldly achievements with the enduring fulfillment of love.

The Land as a Metaphor for Abandoned Purposes

The poem uses the American landscape as a symbol of the speaker's discarded ambitions. The prairies, savannas, mountains, and lakes are all directly addressed and then dismissed: "Take notice, you Kanuck woods—and you Lake Huron—and all that with you roll toward Niagara—and you Niagara also, / And you, Californian mountains—That you each and all find somebody else to be your singer of songs." This personification and subsequent dismissal suggests that the speaker is not merely changing careers but fundamentally altering his relationship with his national identity. The land, previously a source of inspiration and purpose, now requires a new bard, as the speaker's heart is elsewhere.

Jealousy and Withdrawal: The Demands of Love

The concept of jealous love is crucial to understanding the speaker's transformation. The line "One who loves me is jealous of me, and withdraws me from all but love" highlights the possessive nature of this relationship. This jealousy, however, is not portrayed negatively. Instead, it is presented as a force that clarifies priorities and leads the speaker to a deeper understanding of his own desires. The use of "withdraws me" suggests a gentle but firm redirection, emphasizing the power of love to reshape one's life. Is this jealousy a testament to the depth of the loved one's feelings, or a subtle critique of the restrictive nature of romantic relationships?

A Final Embrace: Love's All-Encompassing Nature

In conclusion, "Long I Thought that Knowledge" is a testament to the overwhelming power of love. It charts a journey from ambition and outward engagement to a state of complete surrender to a personal relationship. The poem's significance lies in its depiction of love as a force capable of eclipsing even the most deeply held passions and patriotic ideals. Whitman suggests that true fulfillment is not found in worldly achievements or national identity but in the intimate bond between two people, a bond so complete that separation is unthinkable: "It is to be enough for us that we are together—We never separate again."