We will compare the concept of Self (which include Man and mankind) in Walt Whitman's Song of Myself and present the Islamic perspective of the Self. By using the themes of Man and mankind, we will attempt to show the importance of both elements in Islam.
Introduction
The purpose of this assignment is to critically examine the concept of Self in Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself and incorporate an Islamic perspective to the work.
American Literature Overview
American Literature initially began when its citizens were seeking independence from the British Empire. The early writings of American Literature were made up of essays, periodicals and newspaper articles promoting the idea of independence. However, after independence in 1774, America Literature continued to contain strong influences of their former colony.
Transcendentalism or the American Romantic Period began in 1820 and continued until 1860. It was during this time that America was trying to create a new national identity and expand the nation. Most of the poets and essayist during this time took ideas from nature, individualism and the rights and ethical values of man. It was also during this time that the Transcendentalist Movement, a movement based on the unity of the world and God, emerged and wrote based on individualism.
Many essayists like Ralph Waldo Emerson and poets like Walt Whitman began to write about the individual’s need to be self-sufficient and progressive.
Song of Myself
“Song of Myself” was, in the beginning, an untitled poem published in Whitman’s Leaves of Grass in 1855. It was later given the title in 1881. Whitman uses the personas of “I” and “myself” so the reader is able to become the persona when reading the poem. The main idea of the poem is to call on all Americans to come together and build a progressive American nation.
According to Whitman, the self is both individual and universal. Man has an individual self, whereas the world, or cosmos, has a universal or cosmic self. The persona wants to uphold his own identity while trying to be a part of society to become a universal self as well as to unify himself with God to become a transcendental self.
Islamic Perspective of “Song of Myself”
Some of the main ideas portrayed by Whitman contradict with the Islamic origin, definition and purpose of the self (individual).
1) Whitman does not clearly state whether he believes that God is the creator of mankind.
Although Whitman stresses the importance of unifying the self with God to achieve purification and transcendentalism, he does not mention anywhere in the poem that the Self is a creation of God. The link between the reason to unify with God and God as the creator is vague.
Islam, however, strongly asserts that there is only one omniscient God and all worship should be performed and channelled only to Him. Chapter 32 verses 7, 8 and 9 of the Qur’an clearly states:
“He Who has made everything which He has created most good: He began the creation of man with (nothing more than) clay, And made his progeny from a quintessence of the nature of a fluid despised: But He fashioned him in due proportion, and breathed into him something of His spirit. And He gave you (the faculties of) hearing and sight and feeling (and understanding): little thanks do ye give!”
Chapter 36 verse 78 also states:
“And he makes comparisons for Us, and forgets his own (origin and) Creation: He says, "Who can give life to (dry) bones and decomposed ones (at that)?"
There is no doubt in Islam that God is indeed the creator of Man. Just as it was also mentioned in Judaism and Christianity, God fashioned Adam from clay and breathed life into him. While Whitman mentions the importance of God and spirituality and the importance of human potential, he did not link the two together in terms of creation.
2) Whitman implies that he is a pantheist. Throughout the poem, he reinforces his love for nature and all things that come from the earth.
In the last two stanzas of section 21, Whitman recites a prayer to the Earth:
Smile O voluptuous cool-breath'd earth!
Earth of the slumbering and liquid trees!
Earth of departed sunset--earth of the mountains misty-topt!
Earth of the vitreous pour of the full moon just tinged with blue!
Earth of shine and dark mottling the tide of the river!
Earth of the limpid gray of clouds brighter and clearer for my sake!
Far-swooping elbow'd earth--rich apple-blossom'd earth!
Smile, for your lover comes.
Prodigal, you have given me love--therefore I to you give love!
O unspeakable passionate love.
Islam strongly emphasizes that there is only one God and all prayers should be directed to Him alone. The first pillar of Islam is the proclamation that there is no God except Allah. Chapter 18 verse 110 states:
“Say: "I am but a man like yourselves, (but) the inspiration has come to me, that your Allah is one Allah.” Whoever expects to meet his Lord, let him work righteousness, and, in the worship of his Lord, admit no one as partner.”
Any form of association with God is strictly forbidden in Islam. Although Whitman is true to a certain extent when he says that everything comes from earth, but it is God that created the earth and life in the first place.
3) Whitman equates the Self (Man) to God.
In section 5, Whitman states:
“And I know that the hand of God is the promise of my own, And I know that the spirit of God is the brother of my own.”
He makes a stronger statement in section 41 when he says:
Taking myself the exact dimensions of Jehovah,
Lithographing Kronos, Zeus his son, and Hercules his grandson,
Buying drafts of Osiris, Isis, Belus, Brahma, Buddha,
In my portfolio placing Manito loose, Allah on a leaf, the crucifix engraved,
With Odin and the hideous-faced Mexitli and every idol and image,
Taking them all for what they are worth and not a cent more,
He further states that God is found inside every Self (man) and therefore have the ability to transcend, implying that all men are God and God is all men. This notion opposes the Islamic notion of the oneness of God (tawheed). Chapter 2 verse 255 states:
“Allah. There is no god but He,-the Living, the Self-subsisting, Eternal. No slumber can seize Him nor sleep. His are all things in the heavens and on earth. Who is there can intercede in His presence except as He permitteth? He knoweth what (appeareth to His creatures as) before or after or behind them. Nor shall they compass aught of His knowledge except as He willeth. His Throne doth extend over the heavens and the earth, and He feeleth no fatigue in guarding and preserving them for He is the Most High, the Supreme (in glory).”
Whitman’s idea is extremely blasphemous because Man cannot create anything that is has a soul, that breathes and lives. There are many supernatural elements that we are unable to comprehend or generate. This by itself shows that there is a higher power that is doing it all for the universe. Therefore, it is impossible for Man to be at the same level as God.
4) Whitman also sees himself as a prophetic figure.
Whitman sees himself as a prophet, a Christ-like figure, calling onto all humankind to join him in his mission to re-create America. In the following verses, Whitman sees himself representing the voice of the people. Sections 42 and 43 contain the following verses:
A call in the midst of the crowd,
My own voice, orotund sweeping and final.
Believing I shall come again upon the earth after five thousand years,
Waiting responses from oracles, honoring the gods, saluting the sun,...
However, the following verses from the Qur’an reveal about the possibilities of men who falsely claim themselves to be prophets:
Muhammad is not the father of any of your men, but (he is) the Messenger of Allah, and the Seal of the Prophets: and Allah has full knowledge of all things. (33:40)
Who can be more wicked than one who inventeth a lie against Allah, or saith, "I have received inspiration," when he hath received none, or (again) who saith, "I can reveal the like of what Allah hath revealed"?... (6:93)
What defines Islam besides the Oneness of God is the belief that Prophet Muhammad is the last Prophet and Messenger of God. Therefore we strongly oppose any false claims of prophethood and consider it deviant. Prophet Muhammad is the most perfect example of how a Muslim or any human should live his/her life. On the other hand, Whitman is a flawed person on many levels and to proclaim himself a prophet is blasphemous.
Reflection
“Song of Myself” is a poem that incorporates elements from all major religion, including Islam and Sufism. Furthermore, there is a reason why the poem is revered as one of the most important poems in American Literature.
However, as thinking Muslims, we should not simply reject any idea at face value. “Song of Myself” may have controversial, anti-Islamic issues and values depicted but one must look behind the reasons why this was done in the first place.
We must critically analyze with an open mind and use relevant, credible sources before coming to a conclusion. Emphasis should be given to differences and mutual understanding and acceptance rather than categorizing which is right and wrong.
It is through critical analysis and understanding that Muslims will be able to progress as people who are able to represent the best of Islamic and Western values.
Conclusion
Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself was written during a period in American history that was seeking to find an identity for the individual and the nation. Whitman chose to write the poem in a way that would provoke and at the same time grab the attention of his countrymen.
However, it is important for Muslims to study, understand and respect differences between the attitudes and behaviours of Western and Islamic culture. Critical analysis on religious and intellectual levels must be used to best represent both perspectives.
References
Cliffnotes (2010). Leaves of Grass: Summary and Analysis: “Song of Myself”.
Retrieved on 2ndJanuary from
http://www.cliffsnotes.com/study_guide/literature/Leaves-of-Grass-
Summary-and-Analysis-Song-of-Myself-Introduction.id-60,pageNum-12.html
Everypoet (2009). Song of Myself. Retrieved on 5th January from
http://www.everypoet.com/archive/poetry/Walt_Whitman/walt_whitman_le
aves_of_grass_book_03.htm
Yusuf Ali (2006). The Holy Quran: Text, Translation and Commentary. Islamic
Book Trust:Kuala Lumpur
