Sunday, January 24, 2010

Song of the Open Road by Walt Whitman

"The earth is rude, silent, incomprehensible at first, Nature is rude and incomprehensible at first, But not discouraged, keep on, there are divine things well envelop'd, I swear to you there are divine things more beautiful than words can tell."
"However welcome the hospitality that surrounds us we are permitted to receive it but a little while."

I think Witman's poem shows that travel is defined as an opportunity for a person to gain different perspective and personal growth. He promotes going out-doors as oppose to stay in-doors. The quote shows that he believes no matter what kind of obstacle a person would face on the open road such as from navigating the earth and nature, if the person preserves, then he or she would be rewarded with beautiful things in the nature.

1 comment:

  1. "All parts away for the progress of souls;
    All religion, all solid things, arts, governments,—all that was or is apparent upon this globe or any globe, falls into niches and corners before the procession of Souls along the grand roads of the universe.

    Of the progress of the souls of men and women along the grand roads of the universe, all other progress is the needed emblem and sustenance."

    I feel like Whitman defines travel as a process for the maturity of the soul. Not only will you gain different perspectives on life and personal growth, you will also gain "wisdom," "realization," and worldly experience that you can not learn just being inside a "lecture room." Furthermore, traveling brings you together with nature and everybody else. It does not matter if you are rich or poor, men or women, black or white, or what nationality you are. Everybody that are on the road are travelers and companions.

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