Song of MyselfSong of Myself

Walt WhitmanWalt Whitman

Section 1Section 1

Speaker wants acceptance as a representative Speaker wants acceptance as a representative of humanity.of humanity. We are all connected as a people.We are all connected as a people.

Ll. 4-5 – a metaphor is used comparing the Ll. 4-5 – a metaphor is used comparing the grass to the speaker’s thoughts about humanity grass to the speaker’s thoughts about humanity and America.and America.

Section 6Section 6

““What is the grass?What is the grass?” ”

““it is the handkerchief of the Lord”it is the handkerchief of the Lord” A holy symbol that proves/provides evidence of A holy symbol that proves/provides evidence of

God’s existenceGod’s existence Examples?Examples?

Section 16Section 16

In this section, the speaker places great In this section, the speaker places great emphasis on his connections to Americans.emphasis on his connections to Americans. Examples?Examples?

Ll. 44-46 – sum up ll. 28-43Ll. 44-46 – sum up ll. 28-43 Speaker “speaks” for everyone whatever their Speaker “speaks” for everyone whatever their

occupation or frame of reference.occupation or frame of reference.

Section 17Section 17

Once again, the speaker stresses the universal Once again, the speaker stresses the universal connection of all Americans/humans.connection of all Americans/humans.

Ll. 56-58, “This is the grass that grows wherever Ll. 56-58, “This is the grass that grows wherever the land is and water is, / This is the common air the land is and water is, / This is the common air that bathes the globe”that bathes the globe”

Section 46Section 46

The poem’s language, especially in this section, is The poem’s language, especially in this section, is simple and straightforward; conversation-like and simple and straightforward; conversation-like and friendly.friendly. Why is this appropriate to the poem’s message?Why is this appropriate to the poem’s message?

Ll. 60-74 – The meaning and success of the poem are Ll. 60-74 – The meaning and success of the poem are reliant upon the ACTIVE participation of the reader.reliant upon the ACTIVE participation of the reader.

Ll. 81-82 and 89-91 – ACTIVE participation is Ll. 81-82 and 89-91 – ACTIVE participation is stressed again.stressed again.

Section 46 (cont.)Section 46 (cont.)

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

Section 52Section 52

Ln. 104 – use of personification, “spotted Ln. 104 – use of personification, “spotted hawk. . .accuses me, he complains of my gab hawk. . .accuses me, he complains of my gab and my loitering.”and my loitering.”

Ll. 105-6, “I too…” make comparisons of Ll. 105-6, “I too…” make comparisons of speaker and hawk.speaker and hawk.

L. 112-13 – Life is an endless cycle.L. 112-13 – Life is an endless cycle. No belief in death, only rebirth or afterlifeNo belief in death, only rebirth or afterlife No concern with status or respectabilityNo concern with status or respectability Belief in connection of all living things Belief in connection of all living things

Section 52 (cont.)Section 52 (cont.)

Ll. 117-19 – The speaker’s spirit remains alive Ll. 117-19 – The speaker’s spirit remains alive in nature and his poetry.in nature and his poetry.

He waits for the reader who may be searching for He waits for the reader who may be searching for his spirit.his spirit.