Prompt: Blog post #3
In “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” Walt Whitman portrays the daily commute, which we might experience as mundane, to be full of significance. In particular, he sees the ways the individual–the person narrating the poem–can be connected to the mass of strangers who are also engaged with commuting. Does Whitman make a good case for a connection between individual and the masses of commuters? If so, where do you see this in the poem? Or, is he unconvincing? If so, why?
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Tenzin (Tsering)
In “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” Walt Whiteman argues that even a simple, daily commute connects individuals to the larger crowd of commuters in meaningful ways. He transforms the routine of traveling across the river into a shared experience that links people across time and space. Initially, Whitman highlights the continuity of commuting. He reflects on how future generations will take the same journey, as seen in the line, “Others will enter the gates of the ferry and across from shore to shore.” This shows that commuting is not just a personal routine but an experience repeated by many, creating a bond between individuals who travel the same paths over time.
Then, Whitman emphasizes the shared observations during the commute. In the line “Just as you feel when you look to the river and sky, so I felt,” he points out how everyone, no matter when they commute, experiences the same sights. These common experiences—watching the river and sky—unite people, even if they are strangers, by making them part of the same moment.
Lastly, Whitman touches on the connection between the individual and the crowd. When he says, “Just as any of you is one of a living crowd, I was one of a crowd,” he shows that even though we may feel like individuals, we are always part of a larger whole. Commuting brings us together, reminding us that we share the same spaces and routines with others.
In conclusion, Whitman convincingly portrays the daily commute as more than just a mundane task. He shows that it connects us to others—both