The Beat Goes On

One of Whitman's many charms is that he not only celebrates himself but celebrates the entire human race, generations past and present. His focus on the entire history of humanity and his concern for the future of the race is reflected in his poetry. In the above poem, while graphically describing the procreative act, his ultimate emphasis centers on the results of the union more than on the act itself. Nowhere in the poem is there any hint of intimacy or love. In Whitman's portrayal of this act no sense of sharing between two people is evident; rather sex emerges as a necessary evil without enjoyment by either partner.

Whitman's language suggests that even the male is performing a task which, though unpleasant, is clearly for the greater good. Unlike a man who might tenderly approach a lover, the author must "make [his] way" to complete the act. Warning that he is "undissuadable" from reaching his goal, he states that he will allow no "entreaties" from his partner even though his tools may be "rude"; also, he will "hurt...no more than is necessary". He even must "brace" himself so that he may endure the ordeal. The language suggests struggle, pain, and dominance; one partner must perform while the other must submit. This poem only serves to reaffirm Whitman's sexual preferences. He must engage in a distaseful act in order to do his part to continue the human race, a cause he finds worthy enough to surmount the obstacle of a heterosexual bonding.

Once readers wade through the author's description of the obligatory sex act, they can appreciate the thrust of the message; Whitman loves humanity. His love encompasses manking from beginning to end, literally. He celebrates the human form as well as the human experience, and he does not limit himself to his own time period. Consistent with much of his work, this poem affirms Whitman's belief in the greatntess of all humanity. Toward the end of the poem he proclaims that through the union he will "graft the grafts of the best-loved of me and America." His seed will carry the race forward "a thousand onward years" and produce future "artists, musicians, and singers." One of the joys of reading Whitman is realizing the broad spectrum of his appreciation of humanity. The beauty of this artist is that he manages to look to the past, the present, and the future with equal excitement and enjoyment.