Obscurity and Interpretation of Transcendenta...

Obscurity and Interpretation of Transcendentalism in Walt Whitman's Poem "The Cabined Ships of Sea” A Structuralist Perception

Author Name : Kishore A.P

ABSTRACT

The paper seeks to delve in to the mystery that lingers in Walt Whitman's work.The cabined ships of sea'. The poem was published in the anthology of poems entitled Leaves of Grass. The collection of poems was first published in 1855.Other poems in the collection are mysterious indeed. This particular piece of work has a powerful speech blend with transcendentalism and mystery. Both are in fact one. Another worthwhile aspect is how the theory of structuralism and Transcendentalism are interwoven. It looks in to the issue of syntax, vocabulary, meanings derived from the words used in the poem thereby arriving at a conclusion that the linguistic structure bore philosophical elements as well. It has been found out that the linguistic elements indeed have a profound impact on moulding ideologies. Transcendentalism is a philosophical way of thinking, which gives more emphasis to individualism and emphasizing the importance of the nature. These elements are inherent in the poetical work of Walt Whitman. He was deeply influenced by the works of Thoreau and Emerson; two prominent figures in American transcendentalism. The Method adopted to study the research topic is structuralism. This literary theory posits three aspects, viz; Interpretation (Hermeneutics), correlation of other ideologies to say, how the poem is relational to transcendentalism and how syntactical elements culminates to the formation of philosophical notions inherent in the poem. The theory of structuralism postulates the relational and interconnection of two ideas. Structuralism perceives everything relational, there is nothing called 'stark distinction', The paper tries to establish that in the realm of hermeneutics: poetical works are interpreted using the frame work of structuralism. The word 'obscure' delineates the notion of mystery. Analyzing Whitman's poem takes us to nether world, a world of mystery and fantasy unlike the earthly world. The linguistic components culminate in this regard. Thus, this paper tries to find out the philosophical overtone through the method of the theory of structuralism.

Key words: Hermeneutics