THE SERVICE OF THE PARTS.

REALISTIC PERIOD.

And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you.

ST. PAUL.

Who keeps one end in view makes all things serve.

BROWNING.

Sincere appreciation is hereby expressed to Mr. Horace Traubel, Secretary Walt Whitman Fellowship, Charles Scribner's Sons, and Houghton, Mifflin & Co. for use of selections in this volume.

CHAPTER 1.

LITERARY ANALYSIS.

The mind of the student, earlier engrossed with the Whole and then with its component Parts, now begins to find a new interest in the discourse; he begins to ask, To what purpose? He begins to see that every part renders a certain logical Service to the Whole. Henceforward the pictures are revealed not merely as pictures, but to the end of serving the purpose of the design, the argument of the story. The hearer is impressed with the argument and with the relation of each part to the argument. Purpose holds sway, and is reported in the voice by habitual increase of volume.

Nothing is of value in itself; everything is valuable just in the ratio of its adaptability for service. Goodness implies usefulness. The endeavor to define the service of the successive parts leads the student to a point of keener discrimination in the analysis of his discourse. Literary analysis now becomes instinctive, as a basis of interpretation.

The student entering the Realistic period of his development, strives for fidelity to nature. No longer content with revealing a succession of attractive parts, he seeks to reflect the use of every part in its relation to the great whole.

Analysis. Example: "The Old Clock."

(Page 26.)

The Unit: The Old Clock as an incessant reminder.

Parts:

(a) The country-seat. Stanza 1.

(b) The clock. Stanzas 1 and 2.

(c) The voice of the clock. Stanza 3, and the latter part of each of the others.

(d) The changelessness of the clock. Stanza 4.

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(e) The changing life of the family. Stanzas 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8. (f) The interpretation of the reminder. Stanza 9.

Service of the Parts:

(a) Serves as introduction; it affords a setting for the clock. (b) Presents the central character of the poem.

(c) Reflects the reminder.

(d) Heightens the impressiveness of the reminder.

(e) Affords the occasion for the reminder.

(f) Serves as the conclusion; it defines what has already been revealed by suggestion.

Let the student observe carefully, in the above analysis, how each part of the selection is fitted to render its own peculiar service to the whole; let it be his endeavor in his practice, not only constantly to reflect the spirit of the whole, but to reveal the special significance of each part in reflecting that spirit. This will materially affect his reading of the poem. For example: If the pupil appreciates the peculiar service of Part (d), his rendering of the part, as he tries to reveal that service, will be transformed. The verses picturing the changing scenes in the life of the family will be so read as to hold continually before the mind of the hearer the clock's comment upon them, as the refrain of the poem might be called.

CHAPTER II.

VITALIZED PICTURES.

The student having now entered the realm of service, soon finds through reflecting to his audience the logical service of each part, that it is a living service. His desire should now be to reveal the fact that every part contains, not literally, but by implication, the life or spirit of the Whole. This earnest endeavor to show forth the vital service rendered by each part, each successive object of thought, infuses new life into the groupings