Walt Whitman

Abby's FUN Findings: Source

Walt Whitman's Notebook Cover

Note: The wear and tear of the book cover. This book is made of leather, a durable material that lasts long. The immense weathering of this material came from frequent handling and usage of the notebook. The caption said he kept this journal in his coat pocket at most times. It can be inferenced that this journal was extremely important to him (because he held it close to his chest near his heart) and helped Walt Whitman interpret life.

Note: Walt writes here that the journal holds a "dialogue" between Abe Lincoln and himself. The pace and slant of his writing show that he is jotting down thoughts as they come rather than spending significant time planning his journal. The letters and sentences include a lot of space and are informal. Thus showing how this journal is a representation of his mind and feelings rather than anything else. The idea of an imaginary dialogue between him and Lincoln is odd and draws to question his state of mind during this time. The comments show that Walt Whitman never actually met Lincoln but did see him speak-- they wonder if he perhaps had the journal that day or not. 

Note: The commentary states that these two religions he notes, or platforms, are likely the divide going on in the country at the time. Whitman is using this to show the "political and philosophical divide." It also gave background to his views on slavery that align similarly with Lincoln's. Is the use of Lincoln in his journal because of this similarity? Does Walt Whitman feel a connection to him in these ways or see himself as important as Lincoln? I also think the choice of religious mention as a descriptor here is interesting because it indicates how often political views fully enveloped religious ones too-- it also describes the severity of the way people supported their own beliefs/platform. Is Whitman drawing religion here because he is religious himself? Is he questioning religion at all? 

Note: I completely and absolutely love everything about this line Whitman wrote. He originally has a more pessimistic view from his original thoughts. He is probably naturally a cynical person or immediately inclined to that line of thought. However, what is so interesting is that it is evident that Whitman read through his journal again and added the simple word-- "perhaps." The addition of the line perhaps uplifts the line and allows for possibility. It shows Whitman to be reflective and hopeful at heart rather than mind. The desire for him to add the word speaks multitudes to his mindset at the time and the uncertainty of the times themselves.

 Note: The sudden change to many pages of sketches caught me off guard. Firstly, I noted that he was a good artist. In his pieces you can feel the observation from the angles of his art as well. This overtly shows how observational he is as an individual-- taking in the details of the world around him easily-- and having the gift to show them on paper. I like the rushed nature of the sketches-- they have detail and skill but the type of skill that comes from natural talent. You can see the parts he scribbled all are on the outside parts of his faces. However, the detail and shading centers on the face-- as if he wanted to for sure capture each's features and essence. Furthermore, it is odd he regressed to sketches rather than starting with them. It is not typical to start in words and change to sketches. I may have missed it but I don't recall many words being written at this time. Did Whitman lack words for a reason? Why the change? What do the different mediums of expression say about his mindset and the times?

Note: I adored this sketch. I also adored the commentary on it. It is mysterious and elusive. It draws me in. I think his arms suggest the same feeling as the perhaps in the line above. The background seems to be a sunset which would be more negative but if it is a rise instead-- does that mean Whitman still has hope? The skull having hair and a headpiece make me question if it was based on someone he knew himself. The body being a heart is also bizarre-- is it his heart? Why is it pierced? This sketch leaves me with more questions than anything else. It inspires lots of interpretations. I think that speaks to Whitman and his purpose.

 Note: I like the notice in tone shift and what Whitman's words could be implying. This annotator rocks. I also wanted to point this out because I loved the phrase "is all then lost?" It truly shows how Whitman is unsure himself and is thinking through the many outcomes deeply. It reminded me of something I might write myself when overwhelmed by all the chaos and bad in the world.

 Note: "And you" really stood out to me. I love how the commentary ends in a question up for interpretation. I love how Whitman does not write that directly. Everything he says has to be interpreted and can be taken many ways-- even his sketches.

Note: Lastly-- why is this? Does it show age regression in a sense of a turn in the times. Does it show deterioration of his mind? Does it show a change in perspective? WHY?