D.H. Lawrence on Whitman: This 3-page paper explores the logic of Lawrence's thoughts on Whitman.
In his essay on Whitman in the text, D.H. Lawrence seems to have admiration for Whitman and his writing, and at the same time he has philosophic differences in how he approaches descriptions of the physical self, especially relations with comrades. This contradiction is apparent in the opening paragraph in the essay entitled, "Whitman." He says, "Whitman is the greatest of the Americansawe cannot be quite at ease in his greatness (Lawrence, 823) It is the purpose of this essay to explore Lawrence's reservations with Whitman's style in describing the physical person and how it made him (Lawrence) uncomfortable.
Lawrence induces from Whitman's descriptions of spiritual and physical unity that something happens on the physical plane. "Now Whitman's way to Allness, he tells us, is through endless sympathy, merging. But in merging you must merge away from something, as well as towards something" (826). His logic makes this idea similar to driving a horse or a car. "Why not a right-about-turn?aWhy not that direction" (826), almost mocking Whitman's transcendent movement within the psyche. According to Lawrence's inductive logic, this is simply an impossibility. He says that it "is obviously wrong" (826). He uses further physical examples to make his point·the systole and diastole movements within the heart, and the rising and setting of the sun. He seems to see that all of life takes place in an equalizing rhythm, and that Whitman's one-direction way of thinking and being creates a "hideous tyrannyaa prison of horrorayou can't sit down there" (826).
Lawrence relates Whitman's joys in the various alliances possible between human beings·sexless friendships, family relations, and affiliation with clan, nation and group. Next, there is the "powerful sex relation between man and woman, culminating in the eternal orbit of marria...