In Paths Untrodden

Question 1

Summary.

Answer 1

• The speaker desires to travel the untrodden paths which previously were denied him by “all the standards” & “conformities”.
• In solitude, the speaker can contemplate & voice his thoughts as he would not dare elsewhere.
• The speaker sings songs of “manly attachment” & “athletic love” & celebrates “the need of comrades.
• The untrodden paths are a metaphor for the unknown & unpredictable aspects of human behaviour. They indicate the freethinking of sceptics & dissenters.

Question 2

Lines 1 to 4:
In paths untrodden,
In the growth by margins of pond-waters,
Escaped from the life that exhibits itself,
From all the standards hitherto publish’d, from the pleasures, profits, conformities

Answer 2

• Images of being on the periphery - on “paths untrodden & by margins of pond-waters - the speaker’s desire to undertake the untrodden path in order to escape from the compliance of the tradition & norms that society prescribes upon an individual in contrast to nature which is portrayed as an accepting & open-minded entity. The speaker seems to imply that nature’s open-mindedness allows it to obtain answers to the complex questions of existence.
• The “pond-waters” combines imagery of baptism & renewal with the erotic - one has to give up on conforming to societal standards in order to embrace male homosexuality & “athletic love”.

Question 3

Lines 5 to 8:
Which too long I was offering to feed my soul,
Clear to me, now, standards not yet publish’d, clear to me that my soul,
That the soul of the man I speak for rejoices in comrades,
Here by myself away from the clank of the world,

Answer 3

• The speaker now realises that he wants his soul to celebrate comradeship & friendship in the untrodden path.
• “Which too long I was offering to feed my soul,” - the toxicity of societal expectations & judgments hinders individuals from embracing their individuality from fear of being excluded & criticised by others in society.
• The reference to the “soul” reflects Whitman’s belief in the inherent dignity & worth of every individual, highlighting the severe repercussions to one’s identity & ability to think independently if conventional thought patterns are their choice of sustenance.
• Feeling isolated away from the “clank of the world, Tallying & talk’d to here by tongues aromatic,” - the word, “clank” contains negative connotations & the gossiping - establishes the sorrows of Whitman’s unconventional desires under the pressure of social disapproval.

Question 4

Lines 9 to 11:
Tallying & talk’d to here by tongues aromatic,
No longer abash’d, (for in this secluded spot I can respond as I would not dare else where,)
Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself, yet contains all the rest,

Answer 4

• “Tallying & talk’d to here by tongues aromatic” - gossips & the superficiality of life where people often criticise the ones who are eccentric in society. By withdrawing into the wonder of the natural world, the speaker no longer feels shy or embarrassed in the secluded spot of untrodden path & can respond to criticism in a daring manner with courage & strength which was not possible for him in a public space.
• “Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself” - The speaker feels that he will be deeply affected by a life where he remains unknown & hidden from others. The phrase “does not exhibit itself” suggests that the aspects of the speaker’s newfound existence will not be outwardly expressed or visible to others, including his internal thoughts, emotions & experiences.
• “…yet contains all the rest” - Despite the obscurity of this form of existence, he states that it holds within it the essence of all other forms of existence.
• “Strong upon me the life that does not exhibit itself, yet contains all the rest,” - implies an interdependence between the ostensible & the invisible aspects of life where even the unseen parts of one’s life play a fundamental role in shaping the individual.

Question 5

Lines 12 to 18:
Resolv’d to sing no songs to-day but those of manly attachment,
Projecting them along that substantial life,
Bequeathing hence types of athletic love,
Afternoon this delicious Ninth-month, in my forty-first year,
I proceed for all who are, or have been young men,
To tell the secret of my nights & days,
To celebrate the need of comrades.

Answer 5

• The speaker embraces the homosexual aspect of his identity that would have been persecuted in his era.
• “Resolv’d to sing no songs to-day but those of manly attachment” - the speaker is making a continuous decision to focus on exploring deep, genuine connections & camaraderie among men. The term “manly attachment” suggests that these bonds are characterised by strength, loyalty, & intimacy.
• “Projecting them along that substantial life” - The speaker intends to express his newfound thoughts in a way that resonates with the essence of robust, fulfilling existence. The phrase “substantial life” indicates a life rich in formative experiences & exuberance.
• “Afternoon this delicious Ninth-month, in my forty-first year” - The setting of the poem establishes a beautiful, pleasant afternoon in September, during the speaker’s forty-first year. This specific detail enhances the atmosphere of meditation & adds a sense of personal experience & wisdom to the poem.
• “I proceed for all who are, or have been young men” - The speaker acknowledges his audience, addressing those who are or have been young men. The speaker is about to share the discoveries he made during his time as a young man, indicating that they are relevant to a wide range of experiences.
• “To celebrate the need of comrades” - importance of friendship & mutual support in navigating life’s journey

Question 6

Themes.

Answer 6

• Journey of Self-Discovery, Individuality & Identity
• Human Connection (male friendships, camaraderie, comrades & homosexuality)
• Nature (aids contemplation)

Question 7

Symbolism of the song.

Answer 7

• Song
• The speaker celebrates the power of music & poetry to connect individuals & express their deepest emotions & desires.
• The song refers to self-expression, & the individual’s ability to create something beautiful & meaningful out of their own unique experiences & perspectives.

Question 8

Symbolism of the paths.

Answer 8

• Represents exploration & adventure
• A metaphor for an individual’s journey through life
• The path is linked to self-discovery, as the path represents the endless possibilities that life offers, & the need to embrace change & uncertainty in order to grow & evolve.

Question 9

Thematic comparison for theme of individuality, self-discovery & identity.

Answer 9

• O Me! O Life!
• I Hear America Singing

Question 10

Thematic comparison for theme of nature.

Answer 10

• I Saw in Louisiana a Live-Oak Growing - contrasts humans’ need for companionship with the live-oak’s ability to thrive alone.