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Analyzing Walt Whitman's Poem 'Song Of Myself'

863 Words4 Pages

Hannah Slate
English 01B
Professor Smith
19 April 2023

In "Song of Myself," a poem by Walt Whitman, the speaker's viewpoint is one of celebration and unity with the natural world and humanity. The speaker's voice represents Whitman himself, and he expresses a deeply democratic and expansive perspective on life, embracing the interconnectedness of all things.The speaker celebrates the self and proclaims its significance, rejecting societal conventions and embracing individuality. He declares, "I celebrate myself, and sing myself" and encourages others to do the same. The poem exudes a sense of self-confidence and self-love, emphasizing the importance of embracing one's own identity and experiences.Furthermore, the speaker embraces a pantheistic …show more content…

He reveres the grass, the trees, the animals, and all elements of the natural world, considering them sacred and equal to human beings. The speaker sees himself as part of a larger cosmic unity, where all beings are interconnected and share a common essence.The poem also explores the theme of inclusivity and equality. The speaker celebrates diversity and acknowledges the existence and worth of people from different backgrounds, races, and professions. He expresses empathy and compassion for the marginalized and seeks to include all individuals within his vision of unity.Overall, the speaker's viewpoint in "Song of Myself" is one of exuberant celebration of self, interconnectedness with nature, and a profound belief in the equality and interconnectedness of all people. The poem is a testament to Whitman's humanistic and …show more content…

The speaker represents a tenant who confronts their landlord and seeks justice for their mistreatment.The speaker's viewpoint reflects the experiences and grievances of African Americans facing racial discrimination and economic exploitation. They are frustrated with the unjust treatment they have endured and express their anger towards the landlord, who symbolizes the larger system of oppression.The speaker's thoughts in the poem highlight the power dynamics at play. They recognize the landlord's position of authority and their own vulnerability as a tenant. However, despite this power imbalance, the speaker refuses to be silenced or marginalized. They assert their right to speak up and demand justice.The poem captures the speaker's frustration with the dilapidated living conditions they face and the lack of action taken by the landlord to address their concerns. The repeated refrain, "Landlord, landlord, my roof has sprung a leak," emphasizes their urgent plea for assistance and the disregard they perceive from the landlord.Furthermore, the speaker's viewpoint reflects their belief in the necessity of resistance and the refusal to accept mistreatment silently. They express their defiance and determination to fight for their rights and dignity. The closing lines of the poem, "Ten bucks you say I owe

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The poem vividly presents the delayed dreams of African Americans, who are left to endure poverty and despair. The lines “What happens to a dream deferred?/ does it dry up/like a raisin in the sun?” (Hughes) evoke feelings of Hopelessness and frustration. The dreams of marginalized individuals are crushed by a society that shows indifference to their struggles, resulting in moral corruption as the oppressed turn to desperate measures. The poem suggests that a society that neglects And fails to fulfill the dreams of its citizens will ultimately succumb to moral decay and social

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This structure and tone change can give the reader a better picture of how Hughes felt about the inequality in America. He started out the poem with a more positive and hopeful tone from the speaker, but later changes it to a more resentful tone. The speaker is resentful and angry because of the unnoticed need for change in

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White Americans are showcased to be misinformed and he strengthens his point on that by showing that not only Mexicans and African Americans are both judged when in reality they are both working twice as hard to survive and attain no befits because they are not registered as an American. Jimmy writes to his audience in a powerful way to contradict those prejudice views. The authors bitterness towards white Americans is because he thinks they are very privileged and unaware of the difficulties the people with these ethnic backgrounds have of living in poverty and having their children suffer. This showcases the reality that Mexicans are having to risk their life to cross the border because they want a better life and are escaping the gruesome factors in their country. This poem reaches a larger demographic of mixed nationalities who are in fact Americans but blindsided by this serious issue.

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The poem also makes use of imagery of the wilderness, lost and needing direction. This imagery is used to convey the idea that the speaker's love will guide and protect the reader, even when the world outside is harsh and

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In the poem, Song of Myself by Walt Whitman, he shows the reader exactly what he thinks life is about and the Transcendentalist way of thinking about life. “Now I will

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By doing this Whitman introduces himself and at the same time identifies with the reader. He also states that he should be celebrated not only by himself, but also by the reader because they are the same. He also gives off a feeling that his writing is true and good, we get the feeling he is one of us and at the same time a poet. This leads to comparing Whitman with a preacher or public speaker of some sort, he wishes to be

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Ralph Waldo Emerson and Walt Whitman emphasize the importance of living true to yourself and developing complete self-acceptance. To live true to yourself and completely accept who you are, you must understand your identity and your sense of self. In Self-Reliance, Emerson explains that your identity and your sense of self is spiritual. Whitman argues, in Song of Myself, that your identity and sense of self is based on both your soul and your body. While both Emerson and Whitman allow for intimate connections and friendships, Emerson encourages people to have relationships with a select few, whereas Whitman encourages people to connect with everyone and anyone, due to their different views of self.

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“Solitary the thrush, the hermit withdrawn to himself, avoiding the settlements, sings by himself a song,” (Lilacs, stanza 4, line 3-5). The author creates an image of being in solitude usually occur when someone purposely wants to be left alone, or at times when it is unintentional. Throughout Whitman’s poems, a different tone is depicted, but in some, they share the similarity in tone. Walt Whitman uses the symbolism of nature to depict his loneliness.

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Sections 41 and 43 of Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” reflect his advice to “argue not concerning God” by arguing that God can be found in the common man and by emphasizing the similar reasons as to why people are religious. Section 41 deals heavily with the concept of finding divine characteristics in everything. In the poem, Whitman mention various deities from different religions, and goes on to claim, “Discovering as much or more in a framer framing a house,” (1264). This statement implies that all admirable traits found in deities can also be found in the common man. He furthers this idea by listing the many admirable types of commoners, from a mother to a hostler.

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