Now be witness again, paint the mightiest armies of earth,Of those armies so rapid so wondrous what saw you to tell us? Years hence of these scenes, of these furious passions, these chances, "The Wound-Dresser," by Walt Whitman, is a gruesome poem that brings his readers face to face with the cruel realities of war. There are many different angles you can take in analyzing it for an assignment. I wonder if anybody here can help me to understand two lines of this piece. 1947). Mishosha, or The Magician of the Lakes (1827), 104. Some suffer so much, I recall the experience sweet and sad. Already a member? The Condition of Women in the United States (1837) By Sarah Moore Grimke, 153. Introduction to Literature of Colonial America, 22. In fact, 'The Wound-Dresser' shows us just how powerful poetry can be when it directs our attention to pain, suffering, and the human experience. What does it mean to be an American? There are many different angles you can take in analyzing it for an assignment. Walt Whitman and the Body Beautiful. But yet, the authors faith in this style resulted in an American literary masterpiece. The poet describes with . Then he cannot maintain this facade and, disillusioned by war, thinks of the wounded soldiers. The poem also features several examples of another one of Whitman's favorite literary approaches, the catalog, or the list as a poetic device. The Wound Dresser. Virtual Event. There's A Certain Slant of Light (ca 1858-1865) By Emily Dickinson, 195. Wound Dresser. publication in traditional print. While the world of gain and appearance and mirth goes on. Moreover, in section one there are two to three voices interwoven together. The neck of the cavalry-man with the bullet through and through I examine, (Come sweet death! With hinged knees returning I enter the doors, (while for you up there, Whoever you are, follow without noise and be of strong heart.). I undo the clotted lint, remove the slough, wash off the matter and blood. Consider the parenthetical statements an interior monologue that interrupts the question . Many a soldier's kiss dwells on these bearded lips.). 13.91. O maidens and young men I love and that love me. On, on I go, (open doors of time! Whitman was born in 1819. The ways in which Whitman arrives at this depiction of equality, however, differ by poem. These two sections include the old man's recollections from his time as an army nurse, focusing on details about the wounded soldiers. Among the hospital poems, "The Wound-Dresser" by Walt Whitman is one of the best and finest. Academy of American Poets, 75 Maiden Lane, Suite 901, New York, NY 10038, Years looking backward resuming in answer to children. Throughout the plot, the narrator mention "I," and "myself," and for deeper self, he called "Me Myself" and the "Soul.". Thus in silence in dreams projections, Ones-Self I Sing (1867) By Walt Whitman, 183. The poem is specifically about the Civil War, so this should help too. This is My Letter (ca.1858-1865) By Emily Dickinson, 202. And has not yet lookd on it. Where they lie on the ground after the battle brought in, Exercise caution when debriding infected necrotic tissue as bleeding may occur; generally a few days of antibiotic therapy prior to debriding is ideal when performing in a community . In his memory or his dreams, he walks down the hospital halls again and comforts the wounded and dying. I am firm with each, the pangs are sharp yet unavoidable, Yet I think I could not refuse this moment to die for you, if that would save you. are very sophisticated for a poem written in the nineteenth century. Uncle Christopher (1852) By Alice Cary, 164. succeed. The poems in the Drum-Taps section, including 'The Wound-Dresser,' focus on human suffering related to the Civil War. (Many a soldiers loving arms about this neck have crossd and rested, The Wound Dresser is a series of letters written from the hospitals in Washington by Walt Whitman during the War of the Rebellion to The New York Times, the Brooklyn Eagle and his mother, edited by Richard Maurice Burke, M.D., one of Whitman's literary executors. This final section serves as a solemn reminder to the speaker and to the reader of the harsh realities of war. Lovecraft | Book Summary, Quotes & Analysis, Mulatto by Langston Hughes: Poem & Analysis, Chickamauga by Ambrose Bierce | Summary & Analysis, A Narrative of the Captivity by Mary Rowlandson | Summary, Analysis & Themes, The Wife of His Youth by Charles Chesnutt | Summary, Themes & Analysis, Babylon Revisited by F. Scott Fitzgerald | Summary, Characters & Analysis, The Goophered Grapevine by Charles Waddell Chesnutt | Summary & Analysis, Jean Anouilh's Antigone | Summary & Analysis, The Beast in the Jungle by Henry James | Summary & Analysis, Letters from an American Farmer by St. Jean de Crevecoeur | Summary & Themes, Of Plymouth Plantation by William Bradford | Summary & Importance, The Souls of Black Folk by W.E.B. Of hard-fought engagements or sieges tremendous what deepest remains? Drum-Taps by Walt Whitman. I. The crush'd head I dress, (poor crazed hand tear not the bandage away,). The Farewell (1838) By John Greenleaf Whittier, 158. I dress a wound in the side, deep, deep, Where they lie on the ground after the battle brought in. Of those armies so rapid so wondrous what saw you to tell us? His eyes are closed, his face is pale, he dares not look on the bloody stump. The Wound-Dresser (1865) By Walt Whitman, 180. While the attendant stands behind aside me holding the tray and pail. In the nick of time I come, plunge in the fight, loudly shout in the rush of successful charge. So soon what is over forgotten, and waves wash the imprints off the sand. Yet I think I could not refuse this moment to die for you, if that would save you. While the attendant stands behind aside me holding the tray and pail. Returning, resuming, I thread my way through the hospitals, This poem depicts the American civil war battlefield's intimate imagery with a remarkable lack of exaggerated portrayals of pain and suffering. If there are two dates, the date of publication and appearance Author Introduction-Hannah Webster Foster (1758-1840), 86. . Free shipping for many products! (1861) By Walt Whitman, 177. Back on his pillow the soldier bends with curvd neck and side falling head. Cummings: Poem Analysis, The Wound-Dresser by Walt Whitman: Summary & Quotes, The Hippopotamus by T.S. What you ask of my days those the strangest and sudden your talking recalls. But soon my fingers fail'd me, my face droop'd and I resign'd myself, To sit by the wounded and soothe them, or silently watch the dead;). You can talk about some of the form elements, for example. You can find quotes to help support ideas around the section where it says, I recall the experience sweet and sad., "The Wound-Dresser - Analysis" eNotes Publishing I Know That He Exists (ca. What stays with you latest and deepest? All rights reserved. Letter to Her Husband, Absent Upon Some Publick Employment, 35. This is a major theme in 'The Wound-Dresser:' the reality of war is suffering rather than glory or bravery. Bearing the bandages, water and sponge, Straight and swift to my wounded I go, Where they lie on the ground after the battle brought in, Where their priceless blood reddens the grass, the ground, Or to the rows of the hospital tent, or under the roof'd hospital, To the long rows of cots up and down each side I return, Want to create or adapt books like this? The hurt and wounded I pacify with soothing hand, Walt Whitman wrote 'The Wound-Dresser' entirely in free verse, which lacks rhyme or rhythm and was typical of the poet's work. The Wound-Dresser, by Walt Whitman, is a poem that was written in 1865. To each and all one after another I draw near, not one do I miss. Please RSVP through the link provided. Yet I think I could not refuse this moment to die for you, if that would save you. But in silence, in dreams' projections,While the world of gain and appearance and mirth goes on,So soon what is over forgotten, and waves wash the imprints off the sand,With hinged knees returning I enter the doors, (while for you up there,Whoever you are, follow without noise and be of strong heart.) Arous'd and angry, I'd thought to beat the alarum, and urge relentless war,But soon my fingers fail'd me, my face droop'd and I resign'd myself,To sit by the wounded and soothe them, or silently watch the dead. They are going to see awful things (horribly wounded soldiers) Why is the line "come, sweet death! Author Introduction-Jane Schoolcraft (18001842), 103. Straight and swift to my wounded I go, 1Something startles me where I thought I was safest,I withdraw from the still woods I loved,I will not go now on the pastures to walk,I will not strip the clothes from my body to meet my lover the sea,I will not touch my flesh to the earth as to other flesh to renew me.O how can it be that the ground itself does not sicken?How can you be alive you growths of spring?How can you furnish health you blood of herbs, roots, orchards, grain?Are they not continually putting distemper'd corpses within you?Is not every continent work'd over and over with sour dead?Where have you disposed of their carcasses?Those drunkards and gluttons of so many generations?Where have you drawn off all the foul liquid and meat?I do not see any of it upon you to-day, or perhaps I am deceiv'd,I will run a furrow with my plough, I will press my spade through the sod and turn it up underneath,I am sure I shall expose some of the foul meat.2Behold this compost! Author Introduction-William Apess (17981839), 105. "Georgia Theatrics" (1834) By Augustus Longstreet, 108. The poem is remarkable for its lack of exaggerated portrayals of pain and suffering. Create your account. And the yellow-blue countenance see. 3. a mass or layer of dead tissue. It gives a graphic yet unsentimental view of war and the unglamorous side of what. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Wound dresser skill level is related to the speed with which the labor is completed. of curious panics. How is American writing separate from British or any other writing? Eliot: Analysis & Summary, The Hippopotamus by T.S. Pass and are gone they fadeI dwell not on soldiers perils or soldiers joys, (Both I remember wellmany of the hardships, few the joys, yet I was content.). Once again, we see an interior monologue set off by parenthesis. The fracturd thigh, the knee, the wound in the abdomen, These and more I dress with impassive hand, (yet deep in my breast a fire, a burning flame.). 1858-1865) By Emily Dickinson, 206. The last date is today's He reflects on the effect of the war with the lines, ''Some are so young; some suffer so much.'' 1603-1683), 27. It helped me pass my exam and the test questions are very similar to the practice quizzes on Study.com. Bartleby, the Scrivener (1853) By Herman Melville, 145. Hard the breathing rattles, quite glazed already the eye, yet life struggles hard, But in silence, in dreams' projections, While the world of gain and appearance and mirth goes on, The Wound-Dresser, for Baritone Voice and Orchestra John Adams. I'm Nobody, Who Are You? From Letters from an American Farmer (1782)-- Letter IX "Thoughts on Slavery" By J. Hector St. John de Crvecoeur, 80. I never knew you. (Many a soldiers loving arms about this neck have crossd and rested, Many a soldiers kiss dwells on these bearded lips. Another angle for analysis is how the poem is based on experiences that Whitman actually had. In mercy come quickly.) Many a soldiers kiss dwells on these bearded lips. Now be witness again, paint the mightiest armies of earth, The poet captures the faithfulness to duty, and developing compassion as he tended to soldiers physical wounds and gave comfort. From Letters from an American Farmer (1782)-- Letter VII "Manners and Customs at Nantucket" By J. Hector St. John de Crvecoeur, 79. I am faithful, I do not give out, Of hard-fought engagements or sieges tremendous what deepest remains? A Sight in Camp (1862) By Walt Whitman, 178. Or to the rows of the hospital tent, or under the roofd hospital, While the world of gain and appearance and mirth goes on, Introduction-Women and the Cult of Domesticity, 123. Whitman himself was a nurse in the battle field. I dress the perforated shoulder, the foot with the bullet-wound. Some Keep the Sabbath Going to Church, 200. Death and Life (ca.1858-1865) By Emily Dickinson, 204. 179 The Wound-Dresser (1865) By Walt Whitman I. Learn more about how Pressbooks supports open publishing practices. And has not yet look'd on it. "The Wound-Dresser" by Whitman is one of the poems of the "Drum-Taps" cycle. are very sophisticated for a poem written in the nineteenth century. Author Introduction-Roger Williams (ca. As a member, you'll also get unlimited access to over 88,000 In Leaves of Grass (1855, 1891-2), he celebrated democracy, nature, love, and friendship. From Declaration of Independence Draft By Thomas Jefferson in progress-- needs footnotes added, 72. All rights reserved. Of those armies so rapid so wondrous what saw you to tell us? In other words, The Wound Dresseris a description of what Walt Whitman deemed significant to the nursing profession at the time of the poems composition. Get unlimited access to over 88,000 lessons. Or to the rows of the hospital tent, or under the roofd hospital. Boosey and Hawkes The Wound-Dresser by John Adams Full Score Archive Edition 9781480352971 | eBay . Throughout the poem Whitman talks about the suffering of the soldiers he looks after. They lie on the ground after the battle brought in rested, many a soldiers arms. Should help too ( 1758-1840 ), 86. you ask of my days those the and... And pail, so this should help too o maidens and young men I love and love. Things ( horribly wounded soldiers are two to three voices interwoven together,! Questions are very sophisticated for a poem written in the Drum-Taps section, including 'The:! `` Georgia Theatrics '' ( 1834 ) By Walt Whitman, 180 literary masterpiece level is related the. By Herman Melville, 145 hard-fought engagements or sieges tremendous what deepest remains details about the wounded soldiers Why. 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