I saw a Louisiana live-oak growing

Question 1

the trees internal, peaceful, solitude juxtaposed with Whitman’s deep craving for connections with others, he cannot live without emotional intimacy.
Anthropormorphism, the tree is lively despite being ‘alone’

Answer 1

“uttering joyous leaves (of dark green) all its life without a friend a lover near, I know very well I could not”

Question 1

Whitman’s most intimate and personal poem, telling readers what he truly desires. the tree is non-conforming, deviant much like Whitman himself but isn’t in the constraints of society. Whitman relates to nature on a very deep level. homosexuality.

Answer 1

“it’s rude, unbending, lusty, made me think of myself”

Question 2

Whitman’s homosexuality. the part of the branch that whitman takes reminds Whitman of the part of his life he’s missing/cannot live freely. Lives vicariously through nature, his deep connection with nature is sacred to him, and transcendentalism.

Answer 2

“yet it remains to me a curious token it makes me think of manly love”