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THE WHOLE SOUL, by             Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography

Philip Levine's "The Whole Soul" is a contemplative and introspective poem that explores the nature of the human soul through a series of vivid and imaginative metaphors. The poem’s playful yet profound inquiry into the shape and essence of the soul invites readers to ponder the complexities and nuances of their own inner lives.

The poem opens with a series of questions about the soul’s physical form: "Is it long as a noodle or fat as an egg? Is it lumpy like a potato or ringed like an oak or an onion?" These whimsical comparisons serve to both engage the reader's imagination and underscore the elusive, multifaceted nature of the soul. The onion metaphor, in particular, suggests layers and depth, with each layer being similar yet distinct as one moves toward the core, reflecting the idea that the soul has many layers that contribute to its essence.

Levine then extends the metaphor to the soul's function, describing it as the human core that the rest of the body serves to protect and transport. This imagery of the soul needing to navigate the world, "to go on two legs down the stairs and out the front door," emphasizes the soul's journey through life and its interaction with the external world. The soul greets the day with a "sigh of pleasure," indicating a sense of wonder and anticipation for the day's experiences.

The poem shifts to a more expansive exploration of the soul’s journey, imagining it traversing various landscapes and social settings—from affluent neighborhoods with "living rooms panelled with a veneer of fake Phillippine mahogany" to more rustic, secret gardens filled with "sweet corn and marijuana." This journey represents the soul’s passage through different stages and environments in life, encountering a diversity of experiences and emotions.

Levine’s imagery then brings the reader to the ocean, a powerful and evocative symbol of vastness and mystery. The ocean, with "each drop...known and like no other," serves as a metaphor for the uniqueness of individual experiences and the soul's quest for meaning. The specific tastes and uses of ocean water—"suitable to bring forth the flavor of a noodle" or "just right for a bite of ripe tomato"—highlight the soul's search for connections that resonate with its deepest yearnings.

As the speaker stands at the Pacific shore, they reflect on their own shape and the compound nature of human existence—"a compound of so many lengths, lumps, and flat palms." This introspection leads to a moment of humility and reverence, as the speaker bows to scoop handfuls of water, acknowledging the fleeting and transient nature of life. The water, running through the speaker's fingers, symbolizes the elusive and ephemeral quality of the soul's essence.

In the poem's closing lines, the speaker speaks "in a tongue hungering for salt and water without salt," giving shape to their breath as it mingles with the sea wind. This act of speaking, and the subsequent scattering of words like "burning crystals" on the ocean, suggests the soul's desire to express and connect, even as it acknowledges the impermanence and scattering of its words and actions.

"The Whole Soul" is a beautifully crafted meditation on the essence of the human soul, blending playful metaphors with profound reflections. Levine’s exploration of the soul's form, function, and journey through life invites readers to contemplate their own inner lives and the unique experiences that shape their existence. Through his evocative imagery and introspective narrative, Levine captures the complexity, mystery, and beauty of the human soul.


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