Analysis Of Walt Whitman's Song Of Myself

Words: 879
Pages: 4
Open Document
Walt Whitman had first written “Song of Myself” in 1855 but finalized the name of the poem in 1892. The title itself speaks well of the general theme of the poem. Whitman spoke about the individual in different aspects of life; he spoke about knowing yourself, being in the present, and becoming an individual who regards all people and objects around him. The section that resonated with me the most was section 43. In section 43, Whitman discusses his thoughts on religions, and how he personally feels about it. Throughout the poem Whitman uses various literary elements and techniques to get his point across. In section 43, Whitman uses two main elements which include anaphora and catalogue, as well as using a certain tone to portray religion and how death and faith plays a role within it. From the moment section 43 begins, you get the idea that Walt Whitman is what we now consider a deist. Deism is the belief that there is a God or higher being, but does not necessarily believe in religion. From the very first sentence “I do not despise you priests, all time, the world over” (Song of Myself 43) we clearly understand that he opposes the clergy and/or priest. The clergy represent organized religion to Walt Whitman. They tend to believe that what they follow is the right way and that what they are …show more content…
It is used to emphasize that no one can fail. His faith allows him to understand that death is here and it affects everyone from woman to child.Whitman fully acknowledges that he does not understand what happens after death, but he does understand that it does happen at some point and that we should embrace it. The present includes both the past and the future, every thing that we’ve done or experienced someone else has. This is also how we have the least of faiths, because it simply allows us to be. Whitman uses a more formal tone with this section because religion is a more formal
Show More

Related Documents: Analysis Of Walt Whitman's Song Of Myself

What Is Transcendentalism

poet Emerson was looking for was found in Walt Whitman, including Whitman himself. Although his poetry has many characteristics of transcendental thought and practice, being the bold new poetic American voice that the transcendentalists had hoped for, his most “transcendental” poems are probably “Song of Myself” because of its vision of the self and its relationship to the universe, “Out of the Cradle Endlessly…

Words 827 - Pages 4

Reading Responses 65 86 Essay example

by my own language. There are many ideas on my mind that I don't know how to organize my thoughts and convert them into something someone else would understand. In this way, it is possible for me to feel like “a prisoner” for I can’t freely express myself. Thankful to this article, I gained confidence with my English writing, and I don't feel embarrassing anymore because many people have been in the same situation. With lots of reading, writing and learning, plus the magical power of time, I will be…

Words 1734 - Pages 7