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Walt Whitman:

Quiz Time!

True/False

Song of Myself

Transcendentalism:

-Belief that the most valuable pursuit in life is to experience, reflect upon, and study nature and its relation to the individual-

  • Search for ultimate truths
  • A philosophy that flourished in the United States during the early nineteenth century
  • Walt Whitman was influenced and inspired by Ralph Waldo Emerson, a well known transcendentalist.

1. Free Verse, a style of poetry utilized by Walt Whitman, is a highly irregular poetry and typically does not rhyme.

2. Whitman was born at West Hills, Rhode Island on May 31, 1819.

3. The major symbol present throughout "Song of Myself" is growing grass.

4. Critics claim that Whitman was conservative with respect to sexual honesty and was the product of Victorian values.

5. He trusted intuition, revered nature, and respected the common man.

6. Whitman exploited women in "Song of Myself" and disrespected the feminist movement.

7. Major themes present in "Song of Myself" include: connection of body&soul, American liberty, and divinity of nature.

8."Song of Myself" appeared in Whitman's "Franklin Evens: or, the Inebraiate."

9.He attempted to create a truly indigenous American poetry, one that would match in rhythm and image the unique and incredible variety and breadth of the American landscape and the American people.

10. What is transcendentalism?

Whitman:

  • Was born in West Hills, Long Island in 1819.
  • Attempted to create an American style of poetry = Free Verse
  • Trusted intuition, revered nature, and respected the common man
  • Supported Feminism
  • Was influenced by transcendentalism

The birthplace of Walt Whitman, West Hills, New York.

Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division

Who is Walt Whitman?

"Unscrew the locks from the doors!

Unscrew the doors themselves from their limbs!

Whoever degrades another degrades me,

and whatever is done or said returns to me"

Walt Whitman:

"Song of Myself"

"I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow

from the grass I love

If you want me again look for me under

your boot-soles"

Objectives:

"Song of Myself"

  • Learn about Walt Whitman and Transcendentalism

"I have said that the soul is not more than the body,

and I have said that the body is not more than the soul

And nothing, not God, is greater to one than one's self is"

  • Discuss "Song of Myself" and its major themes/symbols (Free Verse)
  • Poem from Whitman's book "Leaves of Grass"
  • Read "Song of Myself"
  • Quiz!
  • Themes:
  • Awareness and acceptance of one's self and "soul"
  • American liberty
  • Divinity in nature.

Song of Myself:

  • FREE VERSE!
  • 1 of the 12 Poems from his book 'Leaves of Grass'
  • Major Themes include: American liberty and diversity, divinity of nature, connection between body and soul
  • Major Symbol: Grass as a symbol of hope and growth
  • Style of the poetry is Free Verse

Free Verse:

"Highly irregular poetry; typically, free verse does not rhyme"

Walt Whitman, using this style of poetry, attempted to create "American poetry," one that could represent the great diversity and liberty of the American landscape and of the American people.

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