Poem Analysis - I Will Take An Egg Out Of The Robins Nest

Introduction: A Humble Sermon

Walt Whitman's "I Will Take an Egg Out of the Robin’s Nest" is a short, declarative poem brimming with a quiet confidence. The poem establishes a tone of peaceful defiance, suggesting a speaker ready to challenge conventional wisdom. It promises a unique form of teaching, rooted in the natural world, and a certain triumph over established authority. There is a shift from the speaker's actions to the audience's reactions, creating a sense of anticipation and understated power.

Theme: Nature as Authority

One of the central themes is the power and authority of nature. The speaker doesn't turn to books or dogma, but to a robin's egg, gooseberries, a tomato, and a pebble. These seemingly simple objects become the basis for a new kind of sermon. The line "I will take an egg out of the robin’s nest in the orchard, / I will take a branch of gooseberries from the old bush in the garden, and go and preach to the world," immediately establishes this connection. The poem suggests that truth and wisdom can be found in observing and appreciating the natural world, and that this understanding is more profound than that of "clergymen." This suggests that nature itself provides a more authentic and accessible source of knowledge than traditional institutions.

Theme: Challenging Convention

The poem strongly critiques established religious and intellectual authority. The speaker’s intention to "stump clergymen, and confound them" reveals a desire to challenge the status quo and expose the limitations of traditional doctrines. This isn't an aggressive confrontation, but a gentle overturning using simple, undeniable truths. The use of the word "heretic" implies that the speaker sees the world from a different perspective and is willing to challenge the orthodox views. The speaker will not "meet a single heretic or scorner," which implies that the speaker's truth, derived from nature, is universal and unassailable.

Symbolism: The Objects of Truth

The objects mentioned in the poem – the robin's egg, gooseberries, scarlet tomato, and white pebble – are rich in symbolic potential. The robin's egg might represent new life, potential, and the simple beauty of creation. The gooseberries, taken from an "old bush," could symbolize the fruits of experience and the wisdom gained from time. The "scarlet tomato" represents vitality, abundance, and the vibrant colors of the natural world. The "white pebble from the beach" could symbolize purity, simplicity, and the enduring nature of truth. These objects, presented as evidence, invite the audience to see the world with fresh eyes and appreciate the inherent value of the natural world. These elements combine to form a sermon that is deeply experiential and profoundly simple.

Concluding Thoughts: A Quiet Revolution

"I Will Take an Egg Out of the Robin’s Nest" is a powerful statement about the authority of nature and the need to question conventional wisdom. The speaker's quiet confidence and reliance on simple, natural objects as tools for teaching suggest a profound respect for the world around us. The poem encourages us to find truth not in grand pronouncements, but in the small, beautiful details of everyday life. The poem's lasting significance lies in its subtle call for a revolution of perception, one that values direct experience and natural wisdom over dogma and tradition. The poem is a testament to Whitman's belief in the inherent goodness and instructive power of the natural world.