The Semiotic Interpretation of Leaves of Grass: The Sea Image in Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking

Abstract: Walt Whitman has mentioned the image of the sea many times in Leaves of Grass, and the sea has complex meanings in his writing. Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking is a distinctive poem that links the story of two subjects in an operatic form. The sea is the key link between the elements, therefore, the image of the ocean in this poem is particularly worthy of further exploration. This study focuses on the relationship between symbols and the elements in the system from the perspective of semiotics. In this poem, the sea, as a symbol, interacts with the two elements of the birds and the child. From this point of view, it can be found that the sea in this poem is different from the generalization of the sea by previous researchers. It symbolizes the power of nature, including its two sides of kindness and cruelty.