Question

Consider these lines from "Vigil Strange I Kept One Night" by Whitman. Vigil strange I kept on the field one night; When you my son and my comrade dropt at my side that day, One look I but gave which your dear eyes return'd with a look I shall never forget, One touch of your hand to mine O boy, reach'd up as you lay on the ground, Then onward I sped in the battle, the even-contested battle, Why does the speaker of the poem refer to the word 'son' in the second line?

Answer 1

The speaker refers to the word 'son' to emphasize the emotional connection and care between the speaker and the person being addressed.

Step-by-step explanation:

The speaker refers to the word 'son' in the second line of the poem to emphasize the deep emotional connection between the speaker and the person being addressed. By using the term 'son,' the speaker establishes a familial relationship, suggesting that the person being referred to is not only a comrade in battle but also someone the speaker cares for deeply, like a son. This choice of language adds a layer of vulnerability and tenderness to the poem.