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Analyses of Whitman's Song of Myself
Analyses of Whitman's Song of Myself
Analyses of Whitman's Song of Myself
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This poem appears to be in response to Walt Whitman’s poem “I Hear America Singing”. It is evident that the speaker is talking about the African-American population throughout this poem. “They send me to eat in the kitchen/ When company comes . . .” (I, Too.
Walter “Walt” Whitman was born May 31, 1819 in West Hills, Long Island to Walter and Louisa Whitman, as the second of eight surviving children. At age eleven, Whitman began working in printing to help support his family, moved on to teaching at seventeen, then in 1841 moved on to journalism, founding the Long-Islander. After five years publishing under his own paper, he became editor of the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.
The year is 1865, A country is divided by war and rage. The ideas of freedom and liberty are defended by the Union army and the ideals of slavery and inequality are fought for by the Confederate army. One country, one people, two sides, against one another. The United States, a country that was founded on the idea of freedom and equality for all, is now fighting to keep that same idea, only this time the enemy is itself. Many Americans during the 19th century were fighting either to keep slavery or see all as equal.
Such an approach on criticism takes on a social content analyses of a literary piece of work, in which its perceived values as a particular work of art, in this case the poem, implicitly or explicitly expresses. During Walt Whitman’s life, American patriotism during the nineteenth century discussed the notion of American history with regards to cosmic philosophy. It came almost innate to them that change and progress was through God's design. Thus, what was America's great growth in its historical process was a by-product of this glorious divine design.
William McFeely suggests that Frederick Douglass, like Walt Whitman, has written a “Song of Myself” with his slave narrative. Both fairly known in their own time, I am going to look at how they compare and how they are different from each other. Frederick Douglass with his autobiographical slave narrative and Walt Whitman with his poem “Song of Myself”. The question becomes how Douglass creates himself through his narrative and how it compares to Whitman’s self in his poem.
I think America was a dream for some people and not for some. In these paragraphs I will talk about America being a dream and not. Walt Whitman said everyone loves America and it is an amazing place. Langston Hughes talks about America not being a dream and not everyone likes it here.
Francis Bacon and Rene Descartes are huge figures in early science and philosophy. Bacon is considered the father of empiricism, or the theory that knowledge comes solely from human sensory experiences; and Descartes practice strict rationalism. Combined, these two approaches form the modern scientific method. These contemporaries published numerous works on a variety of topics, from moral philosophy to natural science.
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”.
Langston Hughes uses images of oppression to reveal a deeper truth about the way minorities have been treated in America. He uses his poems to bring into question some of Walt Whitman’s poems that indirectly state that all things are great, that all persons are one people in America, which Hughes claims is false because of all the racist views and oppression that people face from the people America. This oppression is then used to keep the minorities from Walt Whitman in his poem, “Song of Myself”, talks about the connection between all people, how we are family and are brothers and sisters who all share common bonds. He says, “ And I know that the spirit of God is the brother of my own,/ And that all the men ever born are also my brothers,
Hope and perseverance are values that are needed for any people who are facing challenges in their lives. This is especially true in naval combat, where the blink of an eye can mean the difference between life and death. Even when things seem bleak, hope and perseverance can help people push through and become victorious. This is especially clear in Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself”, where the perseverance of the crew leads them to victory, when defeat seemed certain. In Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself: 35”, the “never give up” theme is shown through the use of imagery, naval jargon, and situational irony.
An iconic figure in the history of American literature, Walt Whitman was born on the 31st May 1819. Today his contribution and works in the poetic world have come to define sentimentalism, ambitions and some key experiences that Americans underwent in the 19th century. Even though he may have been politically inactive, his work had the will to display political views. Having survived through the civil war, he grew much affectionate perception on the nature and complexity of American polity. Whitman’s view of America was that of a culturally diverse society that we currently witness as such this vision was mainly expressed in his poetic works.
Everyone has a moment in life we they feel that they are not the person they were before that after that moment they will be forever changed whether it be during a heartbreak a celebration or just a going through a rough time it is important to realize that when you read this poem you become changed; for its message is universal and is so relatable. Walt Whitman’s Song of Myself touches on so many aspects of humanity that when you try to compare this works you often find people who share the same views that he had. For instance, we see so many sides to Walt as he expresses himself in his writing much like the musical artists of today like Lady Gaga, Pink Floyd, and David Bowie these artist each convey one of his many messages that his poem
In Walt Whitman's poem "To a Stranger" he is speaking to a passing stranger that he might know in another life. In the poem the speaker tells the reader of all the experiences that they had together. In the poem it says that they slept together and ate together, which means that they were once close. In the poem Walt Whitman uses imagery and symbolism. I believe that he is talking to a significant other.
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.
In Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself’, one can appreciate the poem properly by understanding the poem’s voice, imagery, figures of speech, symbols, word choice, and theme. To understand it though requires a great deal of thought to arrive to the meaning behind the writing. Especially since this poem was written in the nineteenth century and is written in a very loose structure and free verse. Firstly, the speaker of the poem is an individual, Walt Whitman himself, as seen by the repetition of “I” in the poem.
