I am finishing up "Passage to India" today.
These sections really reflect on the soul. Whitman says, "O Soul repressless, I with thee and thou with me / Thy circumnavigation of the world begin." I think this is interesting because clearly Whitman sees a separation of himself from his true soul, yet he wants to take the journey, which I imagine is the journey to explore his soul and find what makes him feel complete. I think if he could get to the point where he could unite his soul with himself - he would be so pleased. He continues on to say, "O Thou transcendent / Nameless, the fibre, and the breath" - Again, he wants to transcend his own boundaries. Here's an interesting line, "But that I, turning, call to thee O soul, thou actual Me." It's a strange notion for me to think my soul is separate from my person.
"Passage, immediate passage! the blood burns in my veins / Away O soul! hoist instantly the anchor!" Does he think that by traveling, exploring, and seeking out new places will help pacify his soul until he can transcend the earth and his true soul will be free? Sometimes Whitman's beliefs confuse me.
I like this poem. I enjoy the themes of unity, advancement, accomplishment, race equality, transcendentalism, religion, --it seems this poem has it all. I didn't get the "ego" that Whitman usually portrays, at least I didn't feel like he was "in my face" with it. Whitman is a man of many identities - I can understand why he felt in conflict with himself.
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