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From Imagination In Walt Whitman's Song To Myself

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Walt Whitman’s Song to Myself was quite unique as he moved from one topic to the next quickly. It allows for one the option to not dwell on one topic too long as the imagination is powerful and allows us the opportunity to become a “free companion” as Whitman himself is. Whitman begins by describing the degree of his imagination. The first few lines within section 33 allow us to understand just how powerful our imagination can be as it can travel through any part of the world. For example, Whitman writes that he circles mountains and travels continents all while beginning to come to terms with what he is taking in. As you continue reading one quickly can catch insight of what the imagination has the power to do as Whitman begins to get specific …show more content…

For example, Whitman begins to describe where different animals wander and or what they are doing such as a mockingbird. Whitman describes the mockingbird as making sounds which he indicated were delicious, literally meaning they are quite delightful. The imagery he implicated in this gives the reader the ability to place themselves where Whitman is and hear these sounds in which the mockingbird is generating. Loving the mockingbird sounds for a brief moment but quickly transferring there attention to winter wolves howling amongst the iced trees and snow then quickly moving on to describe how he is satisfied with each individual he encounters such as the natives and foreigners. As you continue reading he reassures his readers that he only “anchors his ship” for a brief moment as he is a free companion and cannot dwell on things too long in order to love all things equally and quickly as he encompasses the world. Whitman’s ability to create a piece of literature quickly moving from subject to subject allows the reader the opportunity to see things only for what they are, not allowing the reader to find things about the subject that could hinder their thoughts and change their ability to love such a thing equally when comparing to another

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The speaker is shown diagrams and calculations about astronomy. He soon becomes “tired and sick” so he leaves and goes outside, where he “look’d up in perfect silence at the stars”. What Walt Whitman is saying through the speaker's actions is you can only learn so much through science. The real way to learn is through experiencing nature. Whitman’s poem revolves around

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206 Words | 1 Pages

Conveyed in “Song by Self” in the collection Leaves of Grass written by Walt Whitman, there 's no place in the universe of the individual as the individual always will Become or has become the universe. Whitman infers, “my tongue, every atom of blood, formed from this soil, this air” (ll.6).This illustrates that everything’s made from the a singular object or element, from body parts to the air such as atoms and molecules. Therefore we can infer that we are everyone and everything must relate to each other, because we’re made from atoms. Also, “I harbor for good and bad…”(ll.12) proves that once life has become precious and beautiful over time and this means in any situation, whether it’s a tragedy or an accomplishment thus must remain sought

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170 Words | 1 Pages

Another example that Whitman uses to develop this theme is when he describes the story of the old artillerist, with the sights and sounds of the battlefield. Whitman is saying

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560 Words | 3 Pages

If you cannot put control to your wants and needs, you have no strong state of priorities. “Surrounded, detached in measureless oceans of space, ceaselessly musing, venturing.” Whitman is making a compare and contrast between the two lives you can choose in life. “Surrounded, detached in measures oceans of space. . . ”

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170 Words | 1 Pages

Based on what I read, in the text on “Song of Myself” I believe that Whitman is expressing the individual’s place in the world by whatever means they were meant to do. Whitman does not compare himself to others and other’s to himself. Whitman word’s sounds like he believes that all people are equal and the same. In the text of line 16 he says he is old of young and foolish as much wise.

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525 Words | 3 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.

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271 Words | 2 Pages

In his poem, “To the Sayers of Words,” Walt Whitman recognizes the problems associated with language and its inability to fully convey meaning. As we have discussed in class, Whitman seeks to discover a natural, organic language, which can embody the living force of things on earth. “To the Sayers of Words” is Whitman’s renunciation of “audible words,” as he acknowledges his “tongue is ineffectual on its pivots” and that “the best of earth cannot be told anyhow.” Because we use to mediate or signify things, there is an implied distance between the object and our languages. In this poem, Whitman seeks a merger of “the presentation of the unspoken meanings of the earth,” or to bridge the gap of distance by making “dictionaries of the words that

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873 Words | 4 Pages

The transforming of day to night is compared to the action of blowing out a candle, an action usually seen as quick. He is accepting that the ideas of today are cut off just as abruptly as the day itself. Created from this divide is the beginning of different ideas. The acceptance of contradicting emotions from two different selves within a singular person is the main focus in Whitman’s Canto 5; this is an idea strongly supported by

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1633 Words | 7 Pages

Throughout his poem, he constantly talks about the importance of coming together and merging. Whitman says, “I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you” (Whitman 1). On the surface, this quote may appear to illustrate that Whitman thinks highly of himself, but it is more than this. The last part of this quote emphasizes that we are all connected and even though we are all individuals, we should not forget that we are connected to one another. Whitman also says, “Urge and urge and urge, Always the procreant urge of the world.

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1065 Words | 5 Pages

The words “Vast Similitude” means a sense of connectedness one feels by virtue of our humanity. Whitman expresses this idea of similitude in many of his poems in many different forms such as in nature, connection between the speaker and strangers, and the connection between the speaker and all people in the past, present, and future. In his poetry, Whitman has similitude between the speaker and strangers, this is shown many times throughout “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”. Whitman very often acts as though everyone thinks the same as him which connects them all with him.

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706 Words | 3 Pages

He expresses his feeling throughout the poem, starting very confused but finally understanding why these things happen, and later expresses his acceptance towards it. In this poem, Whitman generates a confusing tone toward life and death, which later shifts to understanding

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1589 Words | 7 Pages

Whitman strategically ends the first line with "children." By doing so, there is a focus on "children" overall, not just "boys and girls." The deliberate choice by Whitman creates an effect, an emphasis on all his children, "boys," "girls," "women," household," and "intimates." By choosing to pick where he ends the line, Whitman sets a standard for his individualism within

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1125 Words | 5 Pages

In this grand poem, Whitman glorifies the unity of all people and life. He embraces the geographical diversity as well as the diversity of culture, work, as well as sexuality or beliefs. Whitman’s influence sets American dreams of freedom, independence, and self-fulfillment, and changes them for larger spiritual meaning. Whitman appreciates hard work as well as being simple and non-egotistical. His major ideas are things such as soul, good health, as well as the love of nature.

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200 Words | 1 Pages

In conclusion, if I had to write a poem inspired by Walt Whitman’s poem “Song of Myself” it would be very similar but also a lot different from his. In Whitman’s poem he talked about live and death, and equality for all. While in my poem I would write about accomplishing as much as you can in your life and growing as a person with you nation with you. Even though these themes are not exactly the same, they do correlate because they are both talking about what goes on in a human’s life and what people should do in their lives. I also gave advice along with my themes which was to always try to grow and become a better person.

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1331 Words | 6 Pages

A poem is a highly organised use of language. It is a complex of many patterns that interact in an endless process of imaginative possibility. There is always a speaker and an audience and they are connected intricately. If the speaker takes the form of the audience it becomes highly meditative. The connection between the speaker and the reader is Whitman tries to revolutionise “For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you...

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