Lesson 4: Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself"

Read the line from "Song of Myself." For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. What is the effect of the word "atom" in this line and later in the poem? a. It emphasizes the narrator's belief that every parcel of the Earth belongs to everyone. b. It suggests that the narrator values science over spirituality. c. It emphasizes the narrator's belief that people should give away all of their belongings. d. It suggests that the narrator values nature over material objects.

A) It emphasizes the narrator's belief that every parcel of the Earth belongs to everyone.

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself." I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world. Which statement best describes how these lines reflect the general structure of the poem? a. Just as the poem has a loose, open structure, these lines display personal freedom. b. The lines reflect the difficult and impenetrable nature of certain parts of the poem. c. The lines evoke the aggressive tones expressed elsewhere in the poem. d. The lines indicate an attention to urban settings expressed elsewhere in the poem.

A) Just as the poem has a loose, open structure, these lines display personal freedom.

Read the excerpt from "Song of Myself." Long enough have you dream'd contemptible dreams, Now I wash the gum from your eyes, You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life. Long have you timidly waded holding a plank by the shore, Now I will you to be a bold swimmer, To jump off in the midst of the sea, rise again, nod to me, shout, and laughingly dash with your hair. What theme is suggested by this excerpt? a. People should be brave, take risks, and embrace all aspects of life. b. People should be careful when taking chances that they can handle the outcome. c. People should take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them each day. d. People should be lighthearted and carefree and avoid taking life too seriously.

A) People should be brave, take risks, and embrace all aspects of life.

Which statement best describes the theme of "Song of Myself"? a. There is room for many experiences and, indeed, selves within one self. b. Everyone should try as hard as they can to free their spirits and minds. c. Close observation of the world is the key to understanding it. d. Belief in one's self should be the ultimate goal of one's life.

A) There is room for many experiences and, indeed, selves within one self.

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself." I have no chair, no church, no philosophy, I lead no man to a dinner-table, library, exchange, But each man and each woman of you I lead upon a knoll, My left hand hooking you round the waist, My right hand pointing to landscapes of continents and the public road. Which statement best describes how these lines reflect the theme of the poem? a. They indicate that Whitman is more interested in communicating with individuals than society. b. They show Whitman's sociability and his interest in human nature. c. They reflect Whitman's desire to share his love of the wilderness. d. They suggest that Whitman views all individuals as equals who should communicate with each other as such.

A) They indicate that Whitman is more interested in communicating with individuals than society.

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the long lines in "Song of Myself"? a. They remind the reader of the speaker's liberty and self-confidence. b. They allow the poet to describe scenes in less detail. c. They slow down the forward progression of the poem. d. They increase the narrative quality of the poem.

A) They remind the reader of the speaker's liberty and self-confidence.

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself." I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. Which statement best explains why Whitman chose the phrase "every atom" for the last line? a. to emphasize the seriousness of his words b. to suggest attention to detail, heightening trustworthiness c. to remind readers to remember the basic makeup of natural objects d. to remind readers to embrace a microscopic view of the natural world

A) to emphasize the seriousness of his words

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself." You will hardly know who I am or what I mean, But I shall be good health to you nevertheless, And filter and fibre your blood. Why does Whitman use such a simple phrase as "who I am or what I mean"? a. He is concerned that readers won't understand his poem. b. He wants to communicate directly with readers. c. He is unable to express his thoughts in any other style. d. He wants to vary the language of the poem.

B) He wants to communicate directly with readers.

Which statement best describes the way the sections in the excerpt from "Song of Myself" are constructed? a. They represent the order of events in a long narrative. b. They show unique sides of a universal worldview. c. They reveal opposing sides of an ongoing argument. d. They suggest that the poem has more than one speaker.

B) They show unique sides of a universal worldview.

Which characteristic makes "Song of Myself" a free verse poem? a. the presence of a strong theme b. the absence of a consistent rhythmic structure c. the use of images from nature and everyday life d. the presence of a definite voice

B) the absence of a consistent rhythmic structure

The sections of "Song of Myself" approach one subject from several different angles. How does this technique reflect the main theme of the poem? a. It shows the complicated nature of the world. b. It indicates the need for one to think deeply about one's flaws. c. It corresponds to the idea that the self is all-encompassing. d. It supports the notion of concern for one's friends and family.

C) It corresponds to the idea that the self is all-encompassing.

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself." I tramp a perpetual journey, (come listen all!) How does the word "tramp" affect the tone of this line? a. It makes the tone of the line vaguely humorous. b. It creates a tone of arrogance within the line. c. It suggests the determination of the speaker. d. It indicates the weariness of the speaker.

C) It suggests the determination of the speaker.

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself." I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass. How do these lines reflect the poet's general style? a. They show the poet's love of highly ornate language. b. They reveal a formal, historical interpretation. c. They show the poem's relaxed, candid tone. d. They reveal natural processes in painstaking detail.

C) They show the poem's relaxed, candid tone.

How do the images of travel in part 46 of "Song of Myself" contribute to the poem's theme? a. They suggest that human life is impermanent. b. They show that growth involves a steady movement forward. c. They remind readers that the poem is about journeying within one's self. d. They suggest expansiveness, or extending one's reach outward.

D) They suggest expansiveness, or extending one's reach outward.

free verse

poetry that does not follow an established pattern of rhyme and meter

fixed form

poetry that follows an established pattern of rhyme and meter

voice

the personality that comes across in writing

tone

the speaker's attitude toward the subject

word choice

the words a writer uses to convey meaning

infer

to make reasonable guesses about the meaning of a text based on clues within the text