Walt Whitman's "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" delves into two intertwined realms of inquiry: the personal and the philosophical. At its heart is the question he raises midway through the poem: "What is it then between us?" This line encapsulates the poem's dual focus, serving as the axis around which the narrative swings. Through this question, Whitman explores not just his own experiences but engages in a broader discourse on human connection and separation.

The word "between" in Whitman's question is particularly significant. It suggests a duality, hinting at both the divisions and the unifying forces that exist among individuals. These separations can be temporal, spanning eras and generations; spatial, bridging geographical divides; ideological, contrasting differing worldviews; and psychological, reflecting the inner solitude of the human experience. Yet, despite these chasms, there exists an undeniable link—a shared human essence that transcends these barriers.

Whitman's exploration in "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry" is thus a reflection on the perpetual ebb and flow of human relationships. Just as the ferry's passage is subject to the constant rhythm of the tides, so too are our connections with one another subject to a dynamic interplay of separation and unity. Through this lens, Whitman invites readers to contemplate the nature of their own links to others, hinting at a universal bond that persists across time and space.

"Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," a poem by Walt Whitman, exemplifies the essence of Transcendentalism through its exploration of cosmic design and universal connectivity. From the outset, the poem's narrator engages in a dialogue with the natural world, exclaiming, "Flood-tide below me! I see you face to face!" This direct and personal interaction with nature reflects the Transcendentalist belief in the importance of intuition and the inherent connection between individuals and the universe.

Whitman masterfully uses intuitive leaps and metaphorical correspondences, or "similitudes," to transcend the apparent narcissism of the opening lines. The poem's narrator moves beyond the superficial layers of the world, what he refers to as "appearances" and "usual costumes," to uncover a deeper, noumenal truth. This truth underscores the interconnectedness of all beings, revealing them as parts of a "simple, compact, well-join’d scheme."

This scheme represents nothing less than the cosmic design, capturing the Transcendentalist vision of a unified and harmonious universe. Whitman's version of this concept is informed by his own experiences as a house builder, providing a tangible, poetic expression of the more abstract idea known as Emerson's Over-Soul. Through the poem, Whitman communicates a vision of unity that resonates with the core principles of Transcendentalism, inviting readers to reflect on their place within the greater cosmic order.

Walt Whitman's poetry often delves into the intricate dance between the individual ego and the universal expanse. In "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry," one of the poem's most compelling lines, "I too had been struck from the float forever held in solution," captures a profound psychological conflict. This imagery reveals the tension between personal identity and the desire to dissolve into a greater reality. Whitman uses the passive form of the verb "to strike," evoking feelings of exclusion, exile, and helplessness. Yet, he juxtaposes these sentiments with the hopeful vision of shared experience, a return to a primal, cosmic unity. This concept of merging with the "cosmic womb" signifies the poet's yearning for a reunion with an all-encompassing wholeness, suggesting that, despite the inherent loneliness of individual existence, there lies the potential for collective transcendence and fulfillment.

The atmosphere conveyed in the poem is infused with an exuberant sense of celebration. Rather than presenting a forceful breach of spatial, temporal, and personal boundaries, it embraces a seamless and fluid passage through...