The Past!. the past! the past! The Past-the dark unfathom’d retrospect! The teeming gulf-the sleepers and the shadows! The past-the infinite greatness of the part! For what is the present after all but a growth out of the past?

Context: These lines are taken from The Passage to India from Whitman,

Explanation: Whitman was greatly impressed by three great engineering achievements: the opening of the Suez Canal (1869). the laying of the Transatlantic Undersea Cable (1866), and the joining of the Union Pacific and Central Pacific railroads at Utah to produce the nation’s First Transcontinental Railway (1869). These events resulted in improved communication and travel, thus making possible a shorter passage to India. But in Whitman’s poem, the completion of the physical journey to India is only a prelude to the spiritual pathway to India, the East, and. ultimately, to God.

He wrote as follows:

“The past-the dark unfathomed retrospect!

The seeming gulf-the sleepers and the shadows!

The past-the infinite greatness of the past!

For what is the present after all but a growth out of the past”.

To know the history of people, they should get the knowledge of contribution of Asia in general and of India in particular. The poet wanted other people to know the myths and fables of old, Asia’s Africa’s fables. Poet had asked all his fellowmen to admire the beauty of the temples fairer than lilies’ etc.

Subcribe on Youtube - IGNOU SERVICE

For PDF copy of Solved Assignment

WhatsApp Us - 9113311883(Paid)