Analysis of "My 71st Year," by Walt Whitman

 

Fort he longest time, I thought threescore and ten equaled seventy-one.  I asked ChatGPT and it stated: 

"Threescore and ten" is a phrase that is often used to refer to the number 70. In modern English, "threescore" is an archaic term meaning "three times twenty," or simply 60. So when combined with "and ten," it becomes 60 + 10, which equals 70. This phrase is commonly found in literature, poetry, and religious texts, and is used to express the number 70 in a more poetic or traditional manner. It is worth noting that this phrase is not commonly used in everyday modern English language and is more commonly encountered in historical or literary contexts.

Would that make me two scores if I'm forty?  In any case, the poem laments in a poetic way of what happened in those pat 71 years: "With all their chances, changes, losses, sorrows"  

From the second line, the speaker goes specific, "My parents' deaths, the vagaries of my life, the many tearing passions of me, the war of '63 and '64."  I find the reference to the Civil War as just "the war of '63 and '64" a interesting historical artifact.  I remember the "Civil War" as we know it now was called different things back then as ChatGPT lays out:

Yes, the American Civil War was commonly referred to by various names during the time it occurred. The most widely used term was simply "The Civil War," although it was also known by other names depending on the region or perspective of those involved. Some other names used during the time of the war include:

1. The War Between the States: This term was often used in the South, reflecting the belief among some Confederates that they were fighting for their states' rights against an oppressive federal government.
2. The War of the Rebellion: This was the official name used by the U.S. government in official documents and records during and immediately after the war.
3. The War for Southern Independence: This term was sometimes used by Confederates to emphasize their view of the war as a fight for their independence and sovereignty.
4. The War of Northern Aggression: This term was used by some Southerners who believed that the North had aggressively provoked the conflict.
5. The Brothers' War: This term was used by some to highlight the fact that families were often divided, with relatives fighting on opposing sides of the conflict.

It's important to note that the naming of the war varied depending on one's perspective and location, and different names were used by different people and in different regions of the United States during and after the war. Today, "The Civil War" is the most widely used and accepted term to refer to the conflict that took place in the United States between 1861 and 1865.

I think focusing on the war overall brings a universality to the time.  Because the next line, "As some old broken soldier, after a long, hot wearying march, or as haply after battle" isn't a political one -- rather focusing on the sense of duty a soldier has which the speaker relates to.  The speaker's battles through age and time "with all their chances, changes, losses, sorrow" and still comes out to continue living, to continue with his duty "At twilight, hobbling, answering yet to company roll-call, Here, with vital voice,"

"Reporting yet, saluting yet the Officer over all." The idea of duty takes the personification as another Officer -- a superior.  The speaker continues to live and give information for a purpose -- even after so much.