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Definition and Presentation of Death by Walt Whitman
Poets in the romantic era sought to explain events such as death through their works. Walt Whitman used several poems to explore the issue. The poems, the wound-Dresser and Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking, describe death in four major ways. First of all, the event acts as a point of emotional development for most people. Another presentation denotes it as a normal aspect of human life together with the religious assumption of the separation of body and soul. The third and final depiction handles the issue as a sacred process which deserves respect from all humans.
Walt Whitman defines death as a source of emotional maturity for people. In his poem, Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking he demonstrates how the death of a mate or a beloved changed him. He states, “My own songs, awaked from that hour” (187). The author realizes that the death is nothing compared to the sea. The recognition of eternal life as well as the continuity of the world irrespective of human death is common. The same sentiments are explained by another poem, the wound-Dresser, by the conclusion made by the persona. He affirms that “the waves wash the imprints off the sand” (22). People are enjoying the benefits of a better economy and soldiers who fought for such freedom are forgotten with time. In both poems, Whitman suggests that the experience made him acknowledge the facts about life and death.
The inclusion of the weather, sea, the birds, and other geographical elements shows that the author wanted to depict death as a part of life on Earth.

Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking is a poem that reveals the author seeing death as a separation of two; the physical and spiritual aspect of a person. The poem talks about “he-bird and she-bird” (28-29) who are separated by death. The description of loss using the environment is demonstrated by the application of normal animals and earth represented by sea. Clearly, life on earth is an evitable process that leads to death. As such, Walt suggests that death is the separation of two entities. Figuratively, the birds would represent a body and a soul. The agony felt by the he-bird can represent the emotional burden experienced after death.
The wound-Dresser represents death as a phenomenon which deserves respect especially when it comes to human life. The author says that, “their priceless blood reddens the grass” (28). The implication being that he has a strong reverence for human life. It happens that he shows remorse that people are killing each other in wars instead of maintaining peace and harmony. He continues to refer to the overcrowded war hospitals and effects of murder on his conscience. The final stanza discusses how the image of death brought people together. He recalls a time when he would hug and receive kisses from soldiers who were grateful for his help. In fact, the whole poem stresses on the respect and dignity of human life.
Conclusively, Walt Whitman incorporates death into his poetic work by use of natural occurrences namely animals and the landscape. He then defines and presents death as the separation of two entities as observed on the Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking. Another definition or explanation offered for death is the connection with emotional maturity. He considers such moments of sorrow and meditation as sources of development despite the ordeal. Lastly, he shows a strong reverence to human life and questions why people seek to commit murder as demonstrated by the wound-Dresser. These two poems summarize the popular view of life and death in the 21st century.
Works Cited
BIBLIOGRAPHY l 1033 Whitman, Walt. “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking.” Bartleby.com. www.bartleby.com/142/212.html. 26 November 2016.
Whitman,Walt. “The Wound-Dresser.” Poetry Foundation . www.poetryfoundation.org/poems-and-poets/poems/detail/53027#poem. 26 November 2016.