Poem Analysis - Savantism

Overview: A Pilgrimage to the Source

Walt Whitman's "Savantism" is a short but powerful poem about origin and dependence. It possesses a reverent, almost awestruck tone, as the speaker contemplates the ultimate source of all things. The poem avoids complex metaphors, instead opting for a direct and declarative style. The poem culminates in an image of hopeful return, suggesting a cyclical view of existence. It's a journey back to the beginning, a place of profound importance.

The Debt of Existence: Theme of Origin

A central theme is the dependence of everything on its source. Whitman uses the word "obligated" to illustrate how all "results and glory" are tied to something prior. The first two lines are critical. "Thither, as I look, I see each result and glory retracing itself and nestling close, always obligated." The repetition of "Thither" emphasizes the destination—the origin. Everything, from grand achievements to everyday objects and occurrences ("every-day life, speech, utensils, politics, persons, estates"), owes its existence to this primal point. The poem suggests a fundamental interconnectedness where progress and even individual identity rely on a foundational source.

The Cycle of Life and Return

The poem also explores the cyclical nature of life, presenting existence as a journey back to its origin. The image in the final lines, "As a father, to his father going, takes his children along with him," reinforces this. It's not simply a linear progression but a return, a pilgrimage. This suggests a sense of continuity and inheritance, where the past informs the present and guides the future. This image of familial progression also paints a picture of a hopeful journey, hinting that this origin is not something to be feared, but something to be embraced.

The Leaves and Songs: The Poet's Offering

The speaker, implicitly Whitman himself, includes himself and his work ("I with my leaves and songs") in this universal return. His "leaves and songs" can be interpreted as his poetry, his contribution to the world. By placing them alongside "trades, compacts, establishments," and "politics," the speaker elevates the role of art. He presents poetry as an essential part of the human experience, equally obligated to and returning to the source. This inclusion underlines the idea that creative expression is not separate from the world but deeply intertwined with it.

A Trustful Journey: Significance of the Poem

In conclusion, "Savantism" is a concise meditation on the interconnectedness of existence and the importance of origin. The poem emphasizes the debt that all things owe to their source, presenting a cyclical view of life as a journey back to that origin. The speaker's inclusion of his own work highlights the value of creative expression and its role in this ongoing return. The final image of a father leading his children suggests a trustful and hopeful approach to the past, hinting that the source is a place of connection and belonging.