Song of Myself

1
Song of Myself

• Walt Whitman

2
Section 1

• Speaker wants acceptance as a representative of
  humanity.
• We are all connected as a people.
• Ll. 4-5 a metaphor is used comparing the grass
  to the speakers thoughts about humanity and
  America.

3
Section 6

• What is the grass?
• it is the handkerchief of the Lord
• A holy symbol that proves/provides evidence of
  Gods existence
• Examples?

4
Section 16

• In this section, the speaker places great
  emphasis on his connections to Americans.
• Examples?
• Ll. 44-46 sum up ll. 28-43
• Speaker speaks for everyone whatever their
  occupation or frame of reference.

5
Section 17

• Once again, the speaker stresses the universal
  connection of all Americans/humans.
• Ll. 56-58, This is the grass that grows wherever
  the land is and water is, / This is the common
  air that bathes the globe

6
Section 46

• The poems language, especially in this section,
  is simple and straightforward conversation-like
  and friendly.
• Why is this appropriate to the poems message?
• Ll. 60-74 The meaning and success of the poem
  are reliant upon the ACTIVE participation of the
  reader.
• Ll. 81-82 and 89-91 ACTIVE participation is
  stressed again.

7
Section 46 (cont.)

• Ll. 89-91 reveal a personal philosophy or
  approach to life. The speaker
• approaches life boldly with optimism.
• believes life should be fully lived.
• believes in taking risks risks are essential to
  life.
• believes that pleasure is an important part of
  life.

8
Section 52

• Ln. 104 use of personification, spotted hawk.
  . .accuses me, he complains of my gab and my
  loitering.
• Ll. 105-6, I too make comparisons of speaker
  and hawk.
• L. 112-13 Life is an endless cycle.
• No belief in death, only rebirth or afterlife
• No concern with status or respectability
• Belief in connection of all living things

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Section 52 (cont.)

• Ll. 117-19 The speakers spirit remains alive
  in nature and his poetry.
• He waits for the reader who may be searching for
  his spirit.