Whitman's Generality

Mark Neely presents an interesting claim against Whitman in his argument that Whitman disregards the Emancipation Proclamation in his poem “Beat!Beat!Drums!.” Whitman’s poem does address the wars impact in terms of American’s in general, but does not directly mention African-Americans, or the wars impact on the issue of slavery. He traces the idea of the wars impact and destruction affecting all kinds of people in society ranging from the calmest sectors of life to the more hectic ones. He begins by tracing how the war “burst like a ruthless force into the solemn church and scatter the congregation” and “into the school where the scholar is studying” (3-4). After depicting how the war moves within the quietest parts of society he traces the wars impact on the louder sectors of society, mainly the city. He describes how the war can be heard “over the traffic of cities” (9). And questions, through author intrusion, whether or not the more common people in society including the bargainers and talkers will be able to function as they typically do in times of the war. Of course they will because life still persists in times of the war. This generality of the war affecting the common people can support Neely’s supposition that Whitman avoids addressing the important issue of slavery through the Emancipation Proclamation, but it is done in the effect so that Whitman’s poem can appeal to a wider audience. As depicted in the headnote on Whitman, when he openly supported “David Wilmot’s proposal to forbidding the extension of slavery into new territory he was fired as editor of the Eagle” (2847). The headnote later states that he had become disillusioned “with the material conditions of America” (2849). If he could not reach a wider audience by supporting anti-slavery issues, then he could appeal to a wider audience by alluding to the everyday person in society. The headnote also describes how because of the divide in society in accepting Whitman’s ideas he became “uncertain of the role of a national poet during a time of fratricidal war” and therefore, resumed to playing the same role that we see depicted in his poem (2848). He becomes simplistic in order to appeal to a more general audience.
Whitman’s simplicity in addressing the war can be contrasted to Horton and Timrod who both had a target audience that were addressed in their poems. Horton desired to appeal to the writers of history who typically fail to represent history in the point of view of those in power, the Caucasian male. Horton’s directs his focus to brining forth the true situation of the war in light and how it is portrayed as a heroic tale while in fact it is a serious and destructive event. Timrod’s poem is directed to the Southerners to inspire hope and he presents the war in the manner that Horton criticizes. Elaborately portraying the South’s landscape and illustrating the unity of the South creates an inspiring force for the war. Whitman’s audience is of a wider variety because it addresses the common people and is not specifically targeted to one particular audience.