Reading & Comprehension

Read Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" (2210).

Read this study guide for "Song of Myself."

Here is a hypertextual annotated version of "Song of Myself" online at the American Transcandentalism Web.

Discussion Questions & Topics

In the introduction to the Norton edition of Leaves of Grass, Sculley Bradley writes: "'Song of Myself' ... assert[s] ... the basic theme of this poet's creative intent: to improve and transform life (the poet as maker and reformer), to discern and set forth its miraculousness (the poet as celebrator), and to sing the transcendence of human love, envisioned as divine (the poet as lover)" (xxxiii). In what ways does this theme emerge in the poem? How is this theme represented by Whitman as a distinctly American phenomenon?

Who is the "I" of the poem? Who is the "you"?

The central image of the poem is a single blade of grass. Discuss this image and its symbolism.

Analyze section 1 (ll. 1-13), one line at a time. See the hypertext version of the poem at the American Transcendentalism Web.

"Song of Myself" is an epic poem that comments on the impact of urbanization on the American physical and psychological landscape. What is Whitman's commentary?

What does Whitman say about the relationship between nature and culture? Break into groups of three, make an argument, and find two pieces of evidence in the poem to defend that argument.

Assignments

Discussion #7: In module 10, you are asked to write a 5-6 page essay on Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" in which you explain how the poem engages some of the themes we have addressed in this course. For this final dicussion thread, write down ideas as to how you will go about writing the essay and cite evidence in the poem you might use to support your thesis. Feel free to use this space for brainstorming. Respond to each other as often as possible; the more you do so, the better chance you can help one another in terms of generating sound ideas and composing strong drafts. DUE DATE: Monday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m.

Final Essay: Write a 5-6 page essay in which you analyze the theme of NATURE VS. CULTURE in Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself." As always, your thesis must be argumentative, sufficiently narrow, and defended and sustained from beginning to end. DUE DATE: Monday, Nov. 16, 5 p.m.