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Perception: the True Meaning of Identity

In: English and Literature

Submitted By frmazza0819
Words 1723
Pages 7
American Literature
November 20th, 2012 Perception: The True Meaning of Identity The works published by Whitman, Edwards, and Melville continue to astonish literary critiques today. It amazes me how three writers with such unique qualities all seem to stitch together the same ideas about the “American Identity.” Whitman chooses to see sex as an empowerment on our human race. While Edwards argues that God’s love inspires a fruitful outlook on a trivial life, Melville has no spiritual views and instead ignites his own reasoning to form his perceptions.
Whitman’s theory of an American identity rests on an interpretation of sexual reproduction within our humanity. Children of Adam gives our lives true purpose and sheds light on the importance of love and procreation. After reading his poetry, it resurrected a thought I had during our class discussions. We live an endless paradox where life cannot hope to exist without death, good without evil, day without night, and so on. “The oath of procreation I have sworn, my Adamic and fresh daughters, The greed that eats me day and night with hungry gnaw, till I saturate what shall produce boys to fill my place when I am through” (p.2208). Compared to our vast universe, a human being may seem insignificant, yet we hold the key to restoration and preservation of our societal life cycle.
Whitman’s poems paralleled the bible when he referred to God’s love for Adam and Eve that was so great, it drove to their creation for his Garden of Eden. “Ages and ages, returning at intervals, Undestroy’d, wandering immortal, Lusty phallic, with the potent original loins, perfectly sweet, I chanter of Adamic songs” (Bartleby). Adam and Eve disobeyed God’s only wish, which led to the first sin of mankind. As a result, they were cast out of paradise for their betrayal. From a religious standpoint, admitting their sin was a step towards

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