ipl-logo

Walt Whitman's I Hear America Singing

641 Words3 Pages

After reading "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman, my definition of patriotism has been refined. Instantly, the title grabbed my attention and informed me that this poem would have something to do with patriotism. However, I thought the "singing" would revolve around nature; not the sounds made in specific occupation environments. This gave me a new perspective of how America is in such great condition thanks to its harmonious working class. I realized how Whitman's thorough use of personification truly enhances the poem's overall message and tone. From the title and very first line, Waltman proposes "I hear America singing" (1) in which we all know America isn't a thing. All the sounds that come from citizens fulfilling their duties …show more content…

Words such as "blithe" (2), "strong" (2), and "delicious" (8), foster Whitman's initial reasoning behind writing this poem. He wanted readers to read this poem and feel good about being an American. Reaching further into the text, I began to question why Whitman chose the jobs he did. For example, he didn't exemplify the widely known occupations such as a policeman, medical professional, lawyer, or professional athlete. Instead, he chose to use "carpenter" (3), "boatman" (5), and a "shoemaker" (6). But why? This really puzzled me because why wouldn't he choose the occupations that everyone was aware of? I soon realized this was his intention. Walt Whitman displayed these less well-known jobs because he wanted us to value everyone's hard work. We may not see these jobs as important or ones that "look like fun" but to the people who actually fulfill these jobs, it is fun to them and they're apart of what makes America- America. When Whitman states: "The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work" (4) he is expressing the fact that their job makes them sing. When they sing their song, he means they are happy and content with their occupation even if it isn't a popular

Show More
Related
503 Words | 3 Pages

In his poem, “I hear America Singing”, Whitman describes workers as they go about daily tasks, singing while they work, “The carpenter singing[…] / The mason singing[…] / The boatman singing[…] / The shoemaker singing” (Whitman, lines 3-6). He uses anaphora to emphasize that despite their different jobs and backgrounds, the workers are part of a larger community. This pattern of repetition highlights the interconnectedness of these workers, along with their collective contribution to American society. Whitman is suggesting that America is made up of a diverse group of people, all of whom contribute to society

Read More
376 Words | 2 Pages

In “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman, several literary devices are used that contribute to the theme of the poem. The theme of “I Hear America Singing” emphasizes the importance of celebrating the diverse voices that make up America. The theme also shows unity among the American workers as they show that they are thankful for their freedom to choose to work as whatever they would like in America. Some of the literary devices that contribute to the theme are personification, repetition, imagery, symbolism, and alliteration. Personification in “I Hear America Singing '' is used to portray America as singing.

Read More
459 Words | 2 Pages

The two poems, “America” by Claude McKay and “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman are perfect demonstrations of how people can address the same topic, but go about it very differently. In the piece, “America” by Claude McKay, the author feels angered yet contented about America. McKay discusses that although America is bitter and cold, he still loves it. According

Read More
1092 Words | 5 Pages

Poem Analysis Essay Often a classic poem; such as, “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman while be imitated later by other writes; for example, “America, I Sing You Back” by Allison Adelle Hedge Coke. Both poem discuss their thoughts and feeling on America and discuss how citizens feel. Whitman’s poem was written during the eighteen sixties where he expressed as he expressed strong patriotism for his country. Coke’s poem was published in two thousand fourteen the author discusses her dissatisfaction of what America has become over the years.

Read More
615 Words | 3 Pages

When you read the titles of the poems, you instantly think that it has something to do with America, Freedom, or even the author stating his/her own opinion. You think good deeds being done, and mainly a song about america, When you read the title : I Hear America Singing”. Especially when you sing, it brings all the stress out and makes you feel good about yourself and the beat just relaxes you. The poem is about different careers and people that are working to survive and to mainly reach their goals. When you sing, it belongs to only you because you were the hardworking citizen for your career.

Read More
648 Words | 3 Pages

"I Hear America Singing" focuses on the glories of America, showcasing the happiness and joy that is present on a daily basis. This is clearly evidenced in one of the lines from Whitman's poem: "Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs." However, "I, Too, Sing America highlights the darker side of American life during this era. Unlike Whitman, Hughes' poem takes a much more serious tone, that forces the reader to consider the other side of the coin. This is poignately illustrated in the line, "And be ashamed -" which points to the "they" that will be ashamed in the future for how "they" treated the African American

Read More
776 Words | 4 Pages

Walt Whitman writes how he hears each person singing what belongs to him or her and none else. Americans around this time worked for their families unlike in the story Of Plymouth Plantation where they worked hard just to survive. Things are looking up for Americans right now as they have finally experienced establishment in their

Read More
504 Words | 3 Pages

If you have ever watched a basketball game, you more than likely would see one of the players fall. The secret is that no one probably didn’t touch them. They just fell to fall, hoping a foul would be called on the opponent. This is known to most sport fans as a flop. It is considered an art to most players.

Read More
709 Words | 3 Pages

Whitman sees America as a joyful and ecstatic place for the working class of America, whereas Hughes sees America as a place that does not meet his expectations. In my perspective, both men are correct; I see America as a strong country with some room for improvement. As previously stated, in Whitman’s “I Hear America Singing,” America is being described as a joyful place to live and work. Whitman does not attract the reader to the cheerful tone let off through rhyme, but through repetition. He repeatedly says the word “singing,” representing the happy workers of America heading off to work.

Read More
482 Words | 2 Pages

American Poet Walt Whitman had this to say about the USA, “The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.” In the early 1800’s the United States and the common people that made the country so genius was a long ways away from being what it is now. Present day America is a well-blended mix of races, religions, opinion, and sexual orientations, early nineteenth century America was dealing with war, immigration, slavery and expansion. Such change inspired powerful poetry, and American poet Walt Whitman set out to unify our young nation with Song of Myself by demonstrating that we can and should see a little bit of ourselves in everyone, and that if we look deep down inside ourselves we will see that we are not so different after all, that we as a whole come together to make America unique or rather genius. Born in New York 1819, Walt Whitman was one of nine children and quit formal school at a young age in order to contribute to the family’s income.

Read More
439 Words | 2 Pages

In Whitman’s poem “I Hear America Singing” he references the everyday worker and celebrates them. Fuller utilized transcendentalism to criticize oppressive policies by pointing out the equality people

Read More
1496 Words | 6 Pages

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.

Read More
628 Words | 3 Pages

A huge part of being an American, is the idea that everyone is equal, and one person has the same freedoms as the next. In Walt Whitman’s poem, ‘I hear America Singing’, he uses many metaphors such as, “The carpenter singing as he measures his plank” and “The mason singing as he makes ready for work”. These people have the freedom to choose their job, and pursue happiness. They are not actually singing, but the sounds that come from their jobs collectively come together to create one ‘melodious song’. In response

Read More
878 Words | 4 Pages

Whitman answers Emerson’s request for a unique American style in “Song of Myself.” He first declares the antiquity of “creeds and schools” (10), claiming that although they are “never forgotten” (10), they are nevertheless “retiring back a while” (10). This is in reply to Emerson’s worry; that humanity is progressively focusing less attention to the past. Whitman also dramatizes the American influence on his writing by stating that “[his] tongue,” or voice, is “form’d from [America’s] soil [and] air” (6). By proclaiming himself to be a uniquely American voice, Whitman fulfills Emerson’s vision of an ideal American poet.

Read More
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.

Read More

More about Walt Whitman's I Hear America Singing

Related Topics

Open Document