Thomas Eakins's "The Swimming Hole" and Whitman's "Song of Myself" section 11

¶ … Thomas Eakins painting "the swimming hole" with the section #11 of whitmans "song of myself"

Thomas Eakins' 1884 painting "The Swimming Hole" and Walt Whitman's eleventh section in the 1867 poem "Song of Myself" both address the prudery present contemporary to them in an attempt to have their public understand more regarding life's freedoms. These artworks employ straightforward eroticism meant to impress audiences through the concepts that it addresses. Both the painting and the poem generated much tension in the critic world, especially given that the public seemed intrigued with the controversial concepts that they put across. It is difficult to determine whether Whitman's poem is similar to Eakins' painting when considering the concepts that each artwork is meant to put across.

It is very probable that these two artists portrayed young men bathing together because they knew that this was not particularly strange for that era. However, the fact that they tend to associate erotic themes with this image makes it possible for the public to observe that these artworks are not as ordinary as they might initially appear to be. While Eakins seems to feel little to no hesitation about expressing his thinking, Whitman seems to be more reserved regarding his personal convictions, considering that he uses the young woman with the purpose of emphasizing the voyeurism associated with several men as they bathe together. It appears that the poet wants readers to acknowledge that society still has problems when considering its attitude in regard to certain basic freedoms.

The woman in Whitman's poem is restrained by society's codes and is attracted by the liberty she observes in the group of men bathing by the water. The fact that she joins them (or, at least she fantasizes about doing so) makes it possible for her to enter a world where people are not prejudiced and where everyone is the same. Tight clothes and shame regarding personal appearance are not present in this environment, especially considering the way that the woman feels once she enters the group of men. Moreover, the fact that these men express no interest in the newcomer's acts contributes to the belief that this is a place where society's laws are no longer applicable, with everyone being able to be whoever he or she wants to be.

Although it is difficult to determine whether or not Eakins introduces homoerotic motifs in his painting, it is only safe to assume that his work does not necessarily refer to humanity's heterosexuality. While some might consider that homoeroticism is, in fact, present in this painting, the fact that some characters in it are likely to be women can refute this assumption. The painter also relates to voyeurism through introducing himself in the painting. The fact that he is present in the lower right side of the painting and appears to watch the other men as they stay together supports the belief that there is a feeling of voyeurism in this painting.