Poem Analysis - What Place Is Besieged

A Call to Action: Introduction

Walt Whitman's "What Place is Besieged?" is a short, powerful declaration of support and resilience. The poem offers a sense of immediate action and unwavering confidence, promising aid to an unnamed location under duress. The tone is assertive and encouraging, brimming with the assurance of victory. There are no major shifts in mood; the poem maintains a consistently optimistic and determined outlook, projecting an image of strength and hope.

Echoes of Civil War? Understanding Context (Optional)

While not explicitly stated, it is tempting to interpret the poem in the light of Whitman's experiences during the American Civil War. Whitman volunteered as a nurse in army hospitals and witnessed the suffering of wounded soldiers firsthand. While "What Place is Besieged?" doesn't describe the horrors of war directly, its offer of assistance and unwavering support could be seen as reflecting Whitman's commitment to healing and unifying a divided nation.

The Triumph of the Human Spirit: Main Themes

The dominant theme is resilience: the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties. The besieged place, whatever it represents, has not yet fallen. The poem emphasizes the power of human spirit to overcome adversity. Additionally, there's a theme of solidarity and aid. The speaker readily offers assistance, deploying a "commander, swift, brave, immortal" and extensive military resources. This embodies a sense of collective responsibility and willingness to fight for those in need. Finally, a subtle theme of hope and faith is present. The speaker's absolute certainty of success in raising the siege conveys unwavering faith in the power of their assistance.

"Immortal Commander": Symbolism and Imagery

The poem’s imagery is striking. The "commander, swift, brave, immortal" is a particularly potent symbol. This figure is not just a military leader but represents something greater, perhaps an unyielding spirit, an ideal, or even divine intervention. The mention of "horse and foot—and parks of artillery, / And artillery-men, the deadliest that ever fired gun" creates an overwhelming image of military might. This is not subtle support; it's a forceful intervention intended to shatter the siege definitively. Is this commander a literal military figure, or a symbolic embodiment of courage and determination?

A Song of unwavering support: Conclusion

"What Place is Besieged?" is ultimately a short, impassioned promise of assistance and a testament to the strength of the human spirit. It captures a moment of crisis and responds with decisive action and unwavering confidence. The poem’s power lies in its simplicity and directness, offering a message of hope and solidarity to anyone facing seemingly insurmountable odds. The poem is timeless and universal in its appeal to the indomitable nature of the human spirit.