Literal analysis of Whitman's Poem Song of Myself - Paper Example

"Song of Myself," gets recorded as one of the most famous Whitman's literary works among the twelve pieces of Leaves of Grass. It is a poem that revolves a joyous celebration of the human character as it navigates and interacts with all things in creation. The poem equally shares a sense of uniqueness that gets portrayed to communicate in an oracular tone of prophets which lay emphasis on the characteristics of the universe (Donoghue, 1).

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The literary analysis, therefore, focuses on its setting and central theme. The setting of the poem "Song of Myself" gets depicted through Whitman's literary works to acquire various locations to mention, but the primary setting gets based in the United States of America as a whole. The setting gets pointed out as contrary to the settings of other Whitman's poems. Most of which get discussed to acquire setting in the New York City but the "Song of Myself," gets depicted to possess no limit. It's setting move from various locations, which includes both rural and urban localities (Donoghue, 2). The justification gets noted in the different issues which get portrayed in the poem.

The issues focus on both urban and rural settings, for example, urban life gets pointed out in section eight of the poem which captures the chaotic events of the city. It is equally true as many scholars would argue that the regular shift regarding the poem's setting brings to light something about Whitman. The main issue gets noted on his fondness of telling a vignette (Donoghue, 5). The diverse setting of the poems can also get argued to aim at giving shape and time frame of America as a whole and her greatness in democratic values. Therefore, the diversity concerning its setting acts as a mirror of the individuals living in the United States of America.

The next issue on the literary analysis of "Song of Myself" gets based on the main themes of the poem. The central themes get founded upon the American Democracy. At the time when the poem got published, many things seemed better for the United States of America. The situation made Whitman envision democracy in two dimensions, both as a political system and a way of learning the world. Many nations also had doubts about the ability of the United States of America to thrive as a political nation. Whitman, therefore, tried to portray the poem in its most democratic way possible, both in poetry and life. The evidence of democracy from the poem gets pointed out from the lines where the persona mentions the issue of "endless unfolding of the words of ages, the line depicts an expression of modernity. The word En- Masse" is also used in the next line illustrates the various democratic ideas that ran through the mind of the persona. The name "En- Masse" refers to humanity and for the entire generation in equal measures (Donoghue, 9). Whiteman, therefore, decided to coil the poem in a way to offer a solution to the status quo.

The poem also championed for equality and democracy in equal measures. It became part of the democratic vision and plea of the United States of America (Donoghue, 11). The evidence of equality from the poem gets noted in the first line where the persona mentions how he celebrates and sings himself. The persona's assertion affirms Whitman's belief in the strength of equality. The aspect of "I" which gets pointed out in the first line of the poem does not only refer to the persona but includes both the reader and humanity in general. In other words, the poem tries to invoke equality to the entire humanity. The poem portrays democracy in a manner which reflects self- interaction as a means of individuals' to integrate their beliefs and values into their daily lives.

The other aspect of democracy from the poem gets construed from Whitman's inclusion of slang and regional dialects rather than the usual erudite language that got frequently used in the nineteenth century (Donoghue, 13). The poem focuses on issues that would bring people together. The other theme gets based on the human body. Whitman portrays the human body and its ability to maintain physical contact. The evidence demonstrates the naturalness of taking great pleasure and fondness in physical capabilities.

Conclusion

In summary, the analysis of Whitman's poem on "Song of Myself," focuses on various issues. The issues discussed includes the setting of the poem and the major themes. It gets noted from the analysis that the setting gets based in the entire United States of America as opposed to other literary works of Whitman that got set in New York City or outside the countryside. The issue on theme covers both democracy and the human body as depicted in the entire paper. Democracy gets discussed with the inclusion of the view of equality to the whole human race whereas human body get justified by the pieces of evidence covered in the paper.

Works Cited

Donoghue, D. (2012). Of" Song of Myself." The Hudson Review, 65(2), 247-263.