Before and After

Example #1

AAfter reading Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, I feel like Whitman is saying that humans are brought

together in what they see and hear, by sharing the same experiences. In section two Whitman writes:

The simple, compact, well-join’d scheme, myself disintegrated, everyone disintegrated yet part of the scheme,

The similitudes of the past and those of the future.

All though things changed from what they were in the past, the same things can be seen by you

and others as what was seen by others in the past, and what will be seen in the future. As Whitman was

describing Manhattan and Brooklyn, he makes reference to seeing the islands that surround the area,

various sea vessels that port in out of the busy shipping lanes of New York, sea-gulls in the air, crested and

scallop edged waves, and the sunset as it reflects off the tide. What he saw then, holds true to what you can

see now if you visit New York City. As I visited New York City in the year two thousand, I saw a great

deal of what he saw over one hundred years ago. I remember taking a ferry to Ellis Island to tour the Statue

of Liberty. Although I was a little sea sick, I saw the many islands surrounding New York City, the

seagulls, and the wave that was made by the tide and cargo ships. The only thing that changed was New

York City’s vast skyline. In some way, I feel like there is a connection between me and the millions who

have seen the city because all of us have shared the same experience and others will follow to share that

same experience.

BIn “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” Walt Whitman says that humans are brought together in what they

see and hear, by sharing the same experiences. In section two of the poem, Whitman writes about the

“similitudes of the past and those of the future.”

Although things change, you can see the things seen by others in the past, and things that will be

seen by those in the future. When Whitman describes Manhattan and Brooklyn, he mentions the islands

that surround the area, the various sea vessels that port in and out of the shipping lanes, the sea-gulls in the

air, the crested and scallop edged waves, and the sunset as it reflects off the water. What he saw back in the

1850s holds true to what anyone can see now.

When I visited New York City in 2000, I saw a great deal of what Whitman saw over two hundred

years ago. I remember taking a ferry to Ellis Island to tour the Statue of Liberty. Although I was a little sea

sick, I also saw the islands surrounding New York City, the seagulls, and the waves made by the tide and

cargo ships. The only thing that had changed was New York City’s vast skyline. Because all of us have

shared the same experience, there is a connection between me and the millions who have seen the city.

Others who follow us will also share that experience and that connection, which is exactly the point

Whitman is trying to make.

Before and After

Example #2

AWhile reading Walt Whitman's, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, there were several lines that reminded

me of the feeling of love one can have for another person.

"Saw many I loved in the street or ferry-boat or public assembly, yet never told them a word..."

There have been a few times throughout my life where I've met people and instantly felt a deep,

loving connection. Some, whom I've told, while others never knew.

"The same old role, the role that is what we make it, as great as we like, or as small as we like, or

both great and small."

This sentence reminds me of the great connection between husband and wife who have been

married for 50 plus years. To me, this sentence is about becoming one in marriage and figuring out how the

new union will work for the long haul. It's about give and take- compromise

"... I consider's long and seriously of you before you were born."

This particular sentence spoke a great deal of meaning for me being a very spiritual person. I

believe that in this sentence it's saying that God has a plan for us all. People, situations, and ideas were all a

part of our making before we were even conceived. I also believe this with finding ones "true love". I

believe that with God's individual plan for us, that he has created a partner for everyone that will

compliment the other person perfectly, making the true connecting bond last for the long haul.

BSeveral lines in Walt Whitman's “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” reminded me of the feeling of love

one can have for another person and how we can choose to act, or not act, on that feeling. There have been

times in my life when I've met people and instantly felt a deep, loving connection. Some of them I told,

while others never knew.

Whitman touches on unexpressed love when he says that he “saw many I loved in the street or

ferryboat or public assembly, yet never told them a word.” His line about the “same old role, the role that

is what we make it, as great as we like, or as small as we like, or both great and small" reminds me of the

great connection between husband and wife who have been married for 50-plus years. To me, this sentence

is about becoming one in marriage and figuring out how the new union will work in the long haul. It's

about give and take --- compromise

But there is a third statement in Whitman’s poem --- "I considered long and seriously of you

before you were born." --- that had a great deal of spiritual meaning for me. In this sentence I believe

Whitman suggests that God has a plan for us all. People, places, and situations were all a part of our

making before we were even conceived. I also believe this in regard to finding one’s "true love". I believe

that in God's individual plan for us, he has created a partner for everyone who compliments the other

person perfectly, making possible a true and long-lasting connection.