Whitman-Square Deific

“Chanting the Square Deific”, a poem of Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass collection, is very much a balance between good and evil, a fight that many endure in one way or another in their lifetime. The poem reflects on the idea of a square deity rather than the three sided trinity that is most commonly seen. Each side of the square is given it’s own stanza in the poem where the opinions and outlooks of each character is shared. In one literary criticism, the author explains, “There are four stanzas, each presenting one of the four sides to Whitman's "Square Deific," and each told from the speaker's point of view, first God, then Christ, then Satan, and, finally, the Soul ("Santa Spirita")” (Oliver).

The first side of Whitman’s Square Deific is a negative one. As if speaking from the point of view of God, Whitman explains, “Relentless I forgive no man—whoever sins dies—I will have that man's life” (Whitman). He imagines God as having no sympathy for his actions. The description of the adjacent side was easy enough point out its speaker. With knowledge from prophets, a helping hand for all, and an early death, the second side of the deific is Jesus (Whitman). He serves as a breath of fresh air, or a positive, to the cruelty that came before him in the poem. Opposite of God in not only views and plans but also in the square deific is Satan. He is continuously brooding and plotting against power and vows to never change. One Facts on File essay states, “Satan is opposite God in the Square Deific, creating, Whitman may be suggesting here, a balance between good and evil, both necessary, he believed, in the lives of human beings and in all of Nature” (Oliver). The final side of the square is the Holy Spirit, described as being “the most solid” of the four (Whitman).

As a self reflection, “Chanting the Square Deific” exudes several lessons to be learned. One spotted in every stanza of the poem is to live with little fear. God may have treated sinners poorly, and he made quick judgments on people, but he did so without remorse (Whitman). He didn’t show the most positive of qualities, but he felt what he was doing was right, so he lived with little regret. In the second stanza, Jesus sensed that he would encounter an early death, but he continued to live his life for others (Whitman). Whitman writes, “And my sweet love bequeath'd here and elsewhere never dies.” (Whitman). He lived his life with the fear of death at his back knowing that the actions he made would never be forgotten. Satan, the next side of the deific, could easily be considered the bravest of brave. He brooded against the highest power with no regret. Although feared by many, Satan himself was never concerned with changing the nasty, rebellious soul that he was. Finally, the Holy Spirit, who served as a go to, or haven, for all permanent beings. With little fear, the Holy Spirit “leaped easily from Hell” to be a guide for all mankind (Whitman).

Oliver, Charles M. "'Chanting the Square Deific'." Critical Companion to Walt Whitman: A Literary Reference to His Life and Work, Critical Companion. New York: Facts On File, Inc., 2005. Bloom's Literary Reference Online. Facts On File, Inc. Web. 03 Apr. 2012.

　

Whitman, Walt. "Chanting The Square Deific." The Walt Whitman Archive. Web. 03 Apr.