Question

Q.3.B) Appreciation: Read the given extract and write the appreciation of the given poem based on the following aspects. A foot and light hearted I take to the open road. Healthy, free, the world before me. The long brown path before me leading wherever I choose. Henceforth I ask not good - fortune, I myself am good-fortune, Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing, Done with indoor complaints, libraries, querulous criticisms, Strong and content I travel the open road. The earth, that is sufficient, I do not want the constellations any nearer, I know they are very well where they are, I know they suffice for those who belong to them. Write with following points: 1) About the poem, significance of the title. 2) Form of the poem, theme and its significance. 3) Poetic style, language features, poetic devices. 4) Inspirational message, values, morals reflected. 5) Your opinion and critical evaluation of the poem. 12.51 1201 English 34​

Answer 1

Answer:

Walt Whitman's 'Song of the Open Road' is taken from the poets collection of poems 'Leaves of Grass'. The poem reflects the speaker's confidence when starting out on life's journey. He has been inactive earlier, but is now eager to set off.

The 'road' ahead is a metaphor for 'life'. there are opportunities to be seized. There is nothing to stop a person who is willing to work hard. Life is 'open' for all to make use of. Optimism makes the heart sing with hope. So the title 'Song of the Open Road' reflects the optimism and energy of someone ready to face life, overcome the challanges and succeed.

Whitman is often referred to as the 'father of tree verse'. The poem does not have any regular metre. There is no rhyme scheme and the length of the lines is irregular. Yet Whitman uses many poetic devices. The poem is a monologue. The poet uses the figures of speech like alliteration and repetition. Thr absence of a rhyme scheme is an indication of 'freedom' as a theme in the poem.

The poet does not need any favour from the stars; nor does he need the patronage of influential people. [Towards the end of the poem, the poet separates earth and stars, each in its place. The 'constellations' may refer to stars changing a person's destiny. It also may refer to powerful people patronizing the supplicants.]

Th least four lines in parenthesis are the inner feelings. He has problems but he feels he can resolve them. He calls the past as 'delicious burdens'. They are pleasant to remember but they can be burdensome as they can drag one back from moving on. He says he will carry them yet move ahead.

The poem is uplifting and inspires one to look forward to a promising future. Whitman's style is direct - it is as straight as his philosophy of life. The poets positivity along with willingness to work hard helps the reader to become resolute and cheerful. Mostly it reminds us that problems exist but we must move ahead, and there will be challenges in future too. We must have the confidence that we can overcome those problems and move ahead towards our goal.