Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

In "Language of New York (8) Whitman: April 19, 1864," George Oppen evokes the voice of Walt Whitman to meditate on the enduring power of symbols and the ways in which they become embedded in the fabric of a city over time. The poem draws upon Whitman’s perspective as he contemplates the "great bronze figure," likely referencing the statue of Freedom that crowns the U.S. Capitol building, a powerful symbol of liberty and the nation's ideals during the turbulent period of the Civil War.

The poem begins with an acknowledgment of the gradual process through which the "capital grows upon one in time." This line suggests that the significance of a place, especially one as symbolically loaded as the nation’s capital, deepens with prolonged exposure. Oppen, through Whitman’s voice, captures the way in which the city, with its monumental architecture and historical weight, slowly impresses itself upon the observer. The phrase "the capital grows upon one" implies an evolving relationship between the individual and the city, where initial impressions give way to a more profound appreciation and understanding.

The central image of the poem is the "great bronze figure" on top of the Capitol. This statue, described as the "Genius of Liberty," represents the abstract ideals of freedom and democracy. Oppen, channeling Whitman, emphasizes the visual impact of the statue, particularly at sunset: "The sun when it is nearly down shines on the headpiece and it dazzles and glistens like a big star." This description captures a moment of almost mystical beauty, where the statue becomes more than just a representation of liberty—it transforms into a beacon, a "big star" that embodies hope, inspiration, and the enduring spirit of the nation.

The use of light in this image is significant. The setting sun, with its warm, golden rays, highlights the statue's headpiece, making it "dazzle and glisten." This interplay of light and bronze creates a sense of both permanence and ephemerality. The statue, solid and unchanging, is made to sparkle and shine by the fleeting light of the sun, suggesting the ways in which symbols can take on new meanings depending on the context in which they are viewed. The statue's radiance at sunset becomes a metaphor for the enduring power of ideals like liberty, which can be revitalized and reinterpreted over time.

The poem also touches on the idea of curiosity and wonder. Whitman expresses a love for looking at the statue, finding it "quite curious." This curiosity reflects a broader theme in Oppen’s work: the idea that symbols and monuments, though fixed in place, continue to invite contemplation and reinterpretation. The statue, a static object, becomes dynamic in the way it engages the observer's imagination and emotions. The act of looking at the statue, especially as it catches the last light of the day, becomes a ritual of sorts, a moment of connection with the broader ideals it represents.

Oppen’s use of Whitman’s voice is particularly poignant in this poem, as Whitman himself was deeply invested in the idea of America as a place of boundless potential and democratic ideals. By evoking Whitman, Oppen situates the poem within a larger tradition of American poetry that seeks to grapple with the nation’s identity and the symbols that define it. The date "April 19, 1864," places the poem in the context of the Civil War, a time when the nation was literally and figuratively divided. The statue of Liberty, gleaming in the sunset, stands as a reminder of the ideals that were at stake during that conflict and the hope for a unified future.

"Language of New York (8) Whitman: April 19, 1864" is a meditation on the power of symbols to inspire, endure, and adapt over time. Through the image of the "great bronze figure," Oppen explores how places and monuments become woven into the identity of a city and a nation. The poem invites readers to reflect on the ways in which these symbols are not static but are continually reinterpreted and re-energized by those who engage with them. In channeling Whitman, Oppen connects the past with the present, reminding us that the ideals symbolized by the statue—liberty, democracy, and hope—remain relevant and vital, even in the face of change and adversity.

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