Reply to comment

What's the use of the subconscious? This is something that has come up many times so far in our discussion of Whitman. What use does his exploration of the unconscious have? Other then creating a work of art that has been cherished as a classic for generations. Many great works of art an literature arose from the workings of the unconscious mind. Both Dracula and Frankenstein were based on nightmares that the respective authors had and elaborated on. Many painters (especially surrealist and abstract) work from an unconscious dreamstate that better allows them to express themselves.

what use is an exploration of a persons subconscious mind? Does it allow us to better understand that person as an individual and thus recieve insight into our own mind and how it works? Does it give cultural knowledge that may not be apparant on  a superficial level? (for example the potent sexuality of vampires in Dracula as an example of the repressions of the victorian age). Perhaps it serves only a cathartic purpose, allowing us to release the emotions built up inside us that we are not aware of, saving us trouble further down the road. Maybe it is just interesting to get the opportunityto see the workings of another person's mind (an opportunity that otherwise never presents itself). At the very least it creates beautiful works that enrich our lives and put into words or pictures the very stuff of thoughts. That alone makes it worthwhile.