Critical Appreciation
(i) With the help of the following points, write a poetic appreciation of the poem
'Song of the Open Road'.
About the poem / poet and the title
The theme
Poetic style
The language/ poetic devices used in the poem
Special features
Message, values, morals in the poem
Your opinion about the poem
Poetic Appreciation
'Song of the Open Road' is an inspirational poem of the American poet, Walt
Whitman which is included in his collection of poems, 'Leaves of Grass'.
The speaker of the poem is on a journey on an open road. He feels light-hearted,
healthy and free because he can choose wherever he wants to. He is done with
routines of life and is in a Cheerful mood to be open to new experiences. Right from
the beginning of the journey, he separates himself from all the worldly stress and
pressures of the society. But he is not an escapist. He admits that he and his burden
share a meaningful relationship. He has his own obligations and troubles, but he
carries them along and is prepared to handle them as and when it is needed. He is
sufficiently contented and so he does not wish for good luck while walking on the
road. He is carefree and capable enough to create his own luck.
The title of the poem is appropriate. The poet initially had decided to call it a
'poem'. But since he is celebrating his journey and is talking about the joys of travelling
on the open road, the poem is justified to be called a 'song'. He is cheerful and is
selling his joy to the readers, presenting his experience as music to the ears of the
readers. The road is open to all, propagating democratic values and also it is the symbol
of progress and mobility for everybody, the rich and the poor.
The theme of the poem is freedom, relaxation, optimization and above all joy.
The words match the tone and mood of the poem. Being free means being able to do
anything. One wishes to do the wants to influence the readers to be untroubled and
find peace within themselves. His exemplary account of relaxed experience of the
journey has the purpose of motivating readers to be stress free about the worldly
burdens which can be handled even while travelling in a cheerful mood.
The poem is a dramatic monologue. The poet has used free verse so that he does not
have to worry about rhyming or any metrical patterns. His style of writing is as free as
his attitude towards life. Free verse also gives an opportunity to talk to his readers in an
informal conversational tone.
The poet uses repetition to make his readers understand the importance of travelling on
an open road which gives him an opportunity to choose his direction. The road also
represents equality to all and this is what the poet wants the readers to realise. He is not
greedy for 'good fortune' and is very clearly saying again and again about his confidence
to make his own luck. He is also not shy of carrying his burdens and is definite to take
them along as sweet memories as well as strong enough to solve them, whenever
necessary.
The use of the personal pronoun 'I' is very prominent in this poem as this poem
basically talks about self-motivation, awareness, freedom from stresses in life and
practical attitude towards life. The poet talks about his first-hand knowledge about such
a travel where there is no obligation but he has absolute freedom to take his own
decisions. This is his story, his experience, his feelings and so the personal pronoun
dominates.
One special feature of the poem that immediately catches attention is the addition of
last four lines as parentheses, that is, putting them in brackets as if they have suddenly
come to his mind and he is telling the readers as an aside, taking them into confidence.
The poem conveys a subtle message on the lessons of life. It was written in the mid-19th
century, but is very much relevant today also. The readers feel encouraged to enjoy
travelling, to be bold and satisfied. In spite of having worldly worries, it is possible to be
cheerful if they are dealt with when they come rather than worrying about them
beforehand.
Personally, I feel that the poem is an inspirational one and apt for everyone young and
old.
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