Poem Analysis - I Was Looking A Long While

Introduction: A Celebration of the Present

Walt Whitman's "I Was Looking a Long While" is a declarative poem that champions the significance of the present moment as the key to understanding history and human existence. The poem possesses a confident, affirmative tone, moving away from a search for meaning in traditional sources like books and legends, and instead embracing the tangible realities of contemporary life. It's a poem of discovery, shifting from a quest to a resounding declaration of having found the answer. There's a sense of exhilaration as the speaker realizes that the answers lie within reach.

Democracy as the Culmination of History

One of the central themes is Democracy. Whitman explicitly states, "It is in Democracy—(the purport and aim of all the past;)." He presents democracy not merely as a political system but as the natural and intended outcome of all historical events. The poem suggests that the struggles and developments of the past have all been leading towards a society that values the average person. This theme is strengthened by the repeated emphasis on "the average man of to-day," suggesting that the individual citizen is the ultimate beneficiary and embodiment of historical progress.

The Value of the Everyday

Another prominent theme is the significance of the ordinary and commonplace. The poem actively rejects the notion that history or truth is confined to "paged fables in the libraries" or "legends." Instead, it finds meaning in the everyday aspects of life: "the life of one man or one woman to-day," "languages, social customs, literatures, arts," and even "artificial things, ships, machinery, politics, creeds, modern improvements, and the interchange of nations." By elevating the mundane to the level of historical significance, Whitman underscores the idea that value and meaning are not restricted to grand narratives but are present in every facet of contemporary existence.

Embracing the Tangible: Imagery of the Present

The poem constructs its meaning through a series of vivid images rooted in the tangible aspects of the modern world. There are no allusions to ancient myths or distant lands. The poem speaks of "ships, machinery, politics, creeds, modern improvements, and the interchange of nations". These images paint a picture of a dynamic, interconnected world driven by progress and innovation. The breadth of these images suggests a comprehensive understanding of history is found not in singular events but in the totality of human experience and material culture. It is an active, evolving, and vibrant source of meaning.

A Concluding Celebration of the Now

In conclusion, "I Was Looking a Long While" is a powerful affirmation of the present moment as the key to understanding history and the human condition. Whitman shifts the focus from traditional historical sources to the lived experiences of ordinary people and the material realities of the modern world. By celebrating democracy and the value of the everyday, the poem encourages readers to find meaning and significance in their own lives and the world around them. The poem implies that each individual and their interactions constitute a vital piece of the ongoing historical narrative, a narrative that’s being actively shaped by the "average man of to-day."