In the wake of Abraham Lincoln’s death, Walt Whitman wrote a poem both mourning the loss of the president, and celebrating his transcendence and significance post-mortem. While Whitman never directly references Lincoln’s name or specifics of his death, the poet employs symbolism to represent the stages grief experienced by the passing, acceptance of Lincoln’s death, and the appreciation of his legacy. The star serves to represent Lincoln’s initial departure in death and Whitman’s period of intense grief. The bird is representative of Whitman’s acceptance and the idea that legacy does not necessarily end with death. Finally, the lilac symbolizes Whitman’s celebration for Lincoln’s heritage and passing on his memory. Walt Whitman, in his poem …show more content…
In this phase of the poem, Whitman celebrates Lincoln, separate from the idea of his death and focuses purely on the value of his heritage. The lilac is blooming perennial and is standing tall, with an air of elegance and pride and stoicism. This is an incarnation of Lincoln’s attributes through Whitman’s eyes. The lilac leaves a lingering scent that holds the poet, as Lincoln’s legacy leaves a lingering memory in Whitman’s mind. Whereas the poem began with dark and muted images of the star and gloomy sky, the scenery of the lilac bushes represent a period of renewed hope and memory for Whitman as the lilac bush is “tall-growing with heart-shaped leaves of rich green” (13) This vibrant description of the lilac is a reminder of the vibrant and long-lasting legacy of Lincoln. The memory of Lincoln is passed on through Whitman’s gift of his sprig of lilac (45). This serves as a realization for Whitman that as the lilac is always growing and budding, the importance of Lincoln will never be forgotten as long as he keeps passing the sprig of lilac, even if his mortality was terminated. Here, Whitman appears to explore the value of Lincoln’s heritage, not only to himself but to the larger society. He is implored to share the memory of Lincoln and proliferate the lilac. In this transcendence, the lilac a symbol of the strength of Lincoln’s legacy even after death as the lilac is one that “blooms the first”