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Figurative Language In Walt Whitman's Song Of Myself

525 Words3 Pages

“Song of Myself” is part of the larger work of Leaves of Grass. Since most of his work did not have a title he titled his poems later. To understand poetry at a deeper level, it is essential to consider the background of the author. Author, Walt Whitman was born on May 31,1819 and died on March 26, 1892. During this time period, the Civil War took place and his experiences of being a witness to heinous acts of racism - a substantial issue is which is beautifully mirrored in his exceptional woven poem, “Song of Myself”. His poem consists of anaphora, celebrates diversity, unity and oneness, remarkable use of figurative language and it portrays his love for nature. The poem “Song of Myself” is elongated, filled with vivid imagery and significant detail. …show more content…

It is strange to notice Whitman contradicting himself in the poem. He eulogizes self and tells others to do so too in first stanza line 2, “and what I assume you shall assume”. Later, contradicting himself by talking about oneness and unity in first stanza line 3, “for every atom belonging to you belongs to me” (Whitman). That line means that we are all the same. It is rather bold of him to make a statement because of the turmoil that went around at that time. It can even be applied to today's scenario. At a glance, it may seem contradicting for him preach both but the concepts relate to each other because you cannot respect one unless you do not respect yourself. In the beginning of the poem, Walt Whitman establishes himself as a confident and unusual man. He starts off by saying, “I celebrate myself and sing myself” (Line 1). It is odd to make a statement even today. As a result, the tone comes of as a bit arrogant. This poem has repetition of the word - anaphora. Most lines start with “I”

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Summary Of Walt Whitman's Song Of Myself

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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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Whereas Emerson believes the self strictly exists in your soul, Whitman believes that sense of self is found in both your soul and your body. Whitman sees your soul and body as a point of connection and that you cannot have one without the other and that the two are equal. For instance, Whitman says, “I have said that the soul is not more than the body, And I have said that that body is not more than the soul, And nothing, not God is greater to one than one’s-self is” (Whitman 51). Whitman is illustrating that the soul and the body are equal to one another and that one is not more important than the other.

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Comparing Individualism In Walt Whitman's Song To Myself

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Both of Walt Whitman articles are transcendentalism; Mr. Whitman shows individualism and nature in “Song to Myself” which are qualities of transcendentalism. In “Song to myself” he mostly uses individualism as you can tell just by the title he is describing himself in a song. Mr.Whitman uses repetition in his poem “I celebrate myself”(Whitman 1). Throughout the poem he uses the word “I” to describe himself which shows individualism which is a romantic quality. Mr.Whitman also uses imagery in his “Song to Myself”.

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He says that “The spirit of God is the brother of my own,” meaning that God, the divine creator, the person who stresses, ‘Love thy neighbor,” is his brother, and all people’s brother which indirectly suggests that everyone love each other and take care of each other because we are family. Whitman then goes on, saying that while America is great, life is not perfect, as everyone face challenges and tough times in our lives, “It is not upon you alone the dark patches fall/ The dark threw its patches down upon me also,” (Whitman 12). He discusses the fact that while America is an ideal society where people love each other, life is not so perfect, as the hardships we face are difficult to overcome.

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