Analysis Of Walt Whitman's “Crossing Brooklyn Fer

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Walt Whitman's “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” is a long narrative poem divided into twelve numbered sections of various length. The poem has no rhyme or accented rhythm, in fact the poem contains very little in the way of formal structure. It does contain some random patterns created by Whitman's repetition of words and phrases. The speaker is a man riding the ferry between Manhattan and Brooklyn musing about the various sights he sees, including the water below and his fellow passengers. He remarks how all the other men and women appear “curious” to him, and thinks about the many people who will be in his same place throughout the years. He comes to the realization that he is connected to a pattern that has taken place many times people and will continue in the future. He realizes many other people will cross the ferry, just like him, and will see the sunset and tides, just like him. These thing will continue existing. The speaker talks to future riders telling them that he is experiencing the same things they are, time cannot separate them. He lists examples of things he is seeing that he believes these people will also see. He tells the reader that he projects himself to them in order to let them know that he too does these things. The speaker asks the reader what difference the time between them makes, telling them there is no difference. He describes his life assuming the reader shares a similar life. He assures them that he does not only know happiness, that he too knows dark patches and goes on the list the “evil” deeds he commits. Despite these deeds he is still well loved and known, and is simply playing his role. He informs the reader that he knows them and gives them great thought. The speaker wonders what could be a greater sight than that which he is seeing, surely not even the gods themselves. He asks the readers if they now understand what he is
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