The poem “Song of Myself” is an epic work of literature as the poet dedicates it to celebrating himself. An interesting aspect of the poem is its length and its free verse nature. It is divided into fifty-two sections, with each part introducing a slightly new concept about celebrating oneself and identity. The poet cares little about the poetic features such as rhythm, rhyme, and size of the stanzas. Each of the parts has a different number of verses, and the stanzas have varied numbers of lines, with some having as few as one. The free verse technique allows the poet to be free in choosing words, and sentences and shifting focus. Notably, the idea enables Whitman to combine his biography, poetic meditation, and sermon seamlessly within the poem.
In the poem, the use of literary devices allows the poet to package the message and deliver it poetically. Specifically, the most dominant techniques are personification and symbols. For instance, the poet addresses the soul as though it was a living thing and not an abstract element by ‘inviting’ it to join him (Whitman 6). By personifying the soul, the poet enables the reader to connect with his feeling and elicit a reaction to the urge to join him. Symbolism is also apparent in the poem, and the major element used is grass. In the sixth part of the poem, a child asks the persona what grass is (Whitman 24). The poet responds with an explanation of the representation of grass as the symbol of regeneration in nature. Although people differ in many aspects such as socioeconomic status, race, and religion, death unifies them, and the grass grows on dead bodies. The way vegetation sprouts and dries is the same way humans are born and die at some point. Thus, the author shows that human beings have a common ending and should respect, share, and love each other.
Nonetheless, Whitman’s attitude and mood depicted in the poem are calm, relaxed, and worry-free. It directly reflects the poet’s main idea of celebrating himself and urging others to join and share the moment with him. The choice of words portrays the calmness of the persona as he regularly employs terms referring to positivity such as “good,” “invite,” “embrace,” and “kisses.” These words show the speaker’s well-meaning intention of seeking friendships and enjoying life peacefully, freely, and openly without worry. Whitman wants other people to join him in laying outside, relaxing, and watching the grass grow with no distress. As a result, the poem stresses the theme of friendship and sharing in the world, an idea that people tend to overlook.
To conclude, the greatest lesson from Whitman’s poem is the significance of celebrating oneself and sharing good moments with others. By using literary devices such as personification and symbols, Whitman depicts how death is a common element for all humanity. It is, therefore, upon everyone to be happy knowing that human life is limited. Thus, the speaker insists on the importance of appreciating oneself even in the midst of challenges by relaxing and not worrying about anything. The concept shows the importance of nature in human life, which is hardly appreciated by many. Whitman teaches us to be happy, celebrate our lives, and share with friends. Thus, the poem is a motivation for everyone to appreciate their lives.
Work Cited
Whitman, Walt. “Song of Myself” from Leaves of Grass. Poetry Foundation, 1892. Web.