LITR 4232: American Renaissance
University of Houston-Clear Lake
Student Presentation, spring 2001

Reader: Thomas Parker

Discussion Notes: Lisa Lovett

April 17, 2001

Walt Whitman: "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd"

I began my reading by mentioning the connection of Lilacs in folk lore to love, death and mourning, then pointed out the connection between the themes of this poem and "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" by way of the correspondence of the connection of the self to the greater world. Whitman also uses parallel structure to create the effect of expansion beyond the self. I began the class discussion over the theme of Whitman's unconventional views on death.

The class discussion went as follows:

Kelly suggested that Whitman portrays death as being both comforting and universal aspects of life.

I interjected that Whitman saw it is another connection between individuals.

Cleo suggested that death being embraced leads to a better mode of living.

The poem was also connected to Poe's underwater city. The opposite of Poe,

Dr. White pointed out that Whitman doesn't let us off the hook, that he is seeking connection with a common thread.

While our perception of death is bad, each death results, peace and pain and suffering for those left behind.

Dr. White: redemptive aspect of death-the living go on and are redeemed by death.

Cleo-circle of life, no end.

The discussion ended with Dr. White pointing out that the Easter holiday which had just passed contained elements of both pagan and Christian practices.