Essay on Song of Myself by Walt Whitman

The two passages I have chosen come from section one, lines 1-8, and the second one from chapter 21, lines 1-9. There are striking similarities between these two passages regarding the language style and themes which help the persona to highlight the general message of the poem. In both passages, it is portrayed that the message is centered on the speaker: everything described revolves around the narrator. However, a deeper analysis of the issues that have been raised by the speaker implies that the poem is not just about the persona but rather, it goes beyond the physical self of the I. This insinuates that the persona is using himself as a symbol of universal meaning to address the experiences of people in the society.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

There is an element of contradiction in the narration of the persona regarding his claims. For instance, the poem begins with the line, I celebrate myself, and sing myself (Walt, Section 1, line 1). From this statement, it is revealed that speaker does not want to focus on anything other than himself. The narrator is only concentrated at celebrating himself as well as singing himself. This brings the element of the selfishness of the persona who is portrayed to be self-centered and does not concern himself with what is happening to others. In the same section, the persona goes ahead and claim that I assume you shall assume, for every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. (Walt, section 1, lines 2-3). From this statement, it can be asserted that the persona is ready to share what he possess with others. He is willing to identify himself with those surrounding him by sharing with them what he is having. This portrays an individual who is selfless and is willing to put the interests others forefront to make their situation better.

A self-contradictory employed in the poem is imperative in allowing the persona to incorporate his experiences in his surroundings. Paradox, as the language of the poem, is also dominant in the second passage I selected. The persona claims that it is as great to be a woman as to be a manand I say nothing greater than to be the mother of men (Walt, section 21, lines 5-6). These two statements are self-contradictory. The speaker claims to be males and females are equally high but goes ahead to argue that nothing can be compared to the greatness of the woman when she gives birth to a man. The claim is a self-contradiction to the first statement. This attests that in both passages, the poem has employed paradox to explore a deeper scope of the songs message.

Among different elements covered by the poet, matters to do with spirituality stands apart. Through the narration of his experiences in his settings, the speaker touches on some issues that are related to spiritual life. The theme remains portrayed in both passages, which is significant in highlighting the consistency of the poem in delivering the intended message to the audience. The poet says, I loafe and invite my soul (Section 1, line 4). In this statement, the persona is referring to the term soul which is associated with the spiritual life. Apparently, the life composition of a man is divided into the physical body and the soul. In the entire passage, the narrator talks about various elements that are with spirituality. For instance, he recounts about death, which is considered to the final journey of the physical body. He also narrates about creation by saying, My tongue, every atom of my blood, formd from this soil, this air... (Section 1, line 6). This implies that the speaker is trying to identify himself with spirituality to address issues that were affecting the society.

In the second passage, the poet also identifies himself with the spiritual matters. He claims that I am the poet of the body, and I am the poet of the soulI am the poet of the woman the same as the man (Walt, section 21, lines 1 and 4). The speaker of the poem is trying to identify the balance he has in handling various elements in the society. He indicates that he deals with spiritual needs in a similar way he deals with bodily matters. He puts an emphasis on his stance against favoritism by claiming that he treats people equally; whether a woman or a man, without biasness. These allegations are significant to the contemporary leaders. From this context, it can be asserted that leaders need to be neutral when it comes to handling their subjects.

The claims made against the poet, I, in the poem can be related to the presidential elections. From the two selected passages, the poet is depicted to be a selfless person, who is ready to identify with people, in their happiness and sorrows. He is also willing to share what he has with his people, that is, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you (Walt, section 1, line 3). Another essential of the quality leadership is being fair and just. The poet is portrayed to be equitable and just when he opts to be a poet for all people in equal measure: whether men or women. The candidates in the presidential elections should possess the leadership qualities highlighted in the persona. They need to be just, selfless and be ready to put the interests of people first.