Journal 3: Whitman's command: "You shall.."

Quote:

“You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through
the eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books” (Whitman 31).

Summary:
This quote is from the section 2 of the poem “Song of Myself”. I believe in these two lines, Whitman is proposing the reader the alternative of becoming the center of his own world. Also, I believe the “you” refers to the reader as well as to Whitman himself, since he is making a statement about what he believes should be the way of living for everyone.

Response:

When I first read section 2 of the poem, I noticed a change of tone in Whitman’s lines. First he starts talking about himself and his relation with the world. However, when I read these two lines, which are almost at the end, I felt that he was taking a god like pose, since “you shall” reminded me of the 10 commandments. I believe these two lines are Whitman’s perception of a better world, where continuity is broken, and we no longer need to follow the steps of the old laws and the old books.
I believe he is stating his position about the criticisms he received for his sexual writing and his free verse style, among other things. Therefore, he shows how the world should really be. He wants the readers to open their eyes to a new world where concepts can be changed and where everyone can choose their own path to follow.
Plus, I find his descriptions really interesting, because by saying “you shall no longer take things at second or third hand” he is practically saying “find what you want and do not wait for it or expect to get it from others, get it yourself and do not let anyone get in the way”. That is a very self centered perspective, but it is really showing human nature, because we are self-centered. Furthermore, I interpret “the eyes of the death” as the concepts or ideas of people who are no longer important and that even though might be powerful during their time, generation will change and they will be forgotten. It is as brilliant as when he says “the spectres in books”.

Therefore, I believe he is clearly saying, find yourself and do not let laws and society dictate what you must or mustn't do. It is like an announcement for people to dare to change, which is why I consider the “you” refers to himself as well as to the reader. First because he started a change, consequently, he felt in authority enough to command people to do the same.