Reflection: Chanting the Square Deific

Walt Whitman wrote Chanting the Square Deific as a piece of his book Leaves of Grass. In this poem, Whitman refers to God as four-sided, which is different from the three-sided way the Christian church views God (Oliver). There are four stanzas in this poem, and each stanza is introducing one of each side of this four-sided God Whitman writes about (Oliver).

 In the first stanza, God is called many different names. First he calls himself Jehovah, then Old Brahm, then Saturnius, and finally as Kronos (Whitman). All of these names he calls himself are the names of Gods from other cultures or religions (Oliver). In this first stanza God describes himself as being "unpersuadable, relentless" which is very different from the way God is usually portrayed (Whitman). God is usually described as being forgiving, loving, and powerful, but in Whitman's poem he is described as relentless, remorseless, and unpersuadable (Whitman).

In the second stanza, it is from the point of view of Christ, which is the second side of this four-sided view. In this stanza, Christ is described as being more kindhearted, gentle, and wise (Whitman). Christ calls himself the "mightier God" and claims he has the "kiss of affection" (Whitman). Christ also says "and my sweet love bequeath'd here and elsewhere never dies" which is more like the God that is usually described in poems and songs.

The third stanza of this poem is from Satan's point of view, and he says he is "plotting revolt" and is "comrade of criminals" (Whitman). In this four-sided view, Whitman has placed Satan and God across from each other, intentionally creating a balance between good and evil which is something Whitman believes is necessary in the lives of human beings (Oliver).

The fourth stanza is from the point of view of the "Santa Spirita", which is similar to the Holy Spirit. The "general soul" is across from Christ in this four-sided square, and is said to be the most solid part of the square.

In conclusion, this poem is about the four-sided square that makes up the self.  The Father, the Son, Satan, and the Holy Spirit are each one side of this square and all of these sides put together make up the Transcendental self.

Bibliography

Oliver, Charles M. "'Chanting the Square Deific'." Critical Companion to Walt Whitman: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc.

Whitman, Walt. "The Walt Whitman Archive." CHANTING THE SQUARE DEIFIC. (Leaves of Grass [1891-1892]) -. The Walt Whitman Archive. Web. 02 Apr. 2012.