Walt Whitman's Song of Myself Essay

His constant use of the firs person "I" also shows the strong independent streak in Whitman's character and poetry. "Song of Myself" makes it very clear that this independence is not born of ego, nor does it desire or require isolation. Rather, the independence and freedom of the repeated "I" is of a part with the nature and society that the speaker observes, which ironically seems to call the individuality of the "I" into question even as it is being celebrated by the speaker.

Critics have wondered whether or not Whitman went through a transformative experience that affected his style, making it as unique but not until his middle age, but no agreement has been reached on this point.Quotes:

Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all poems."

You are also asking me questions and I hear you, answer that I cannot answer, you must find out for yourself."

Missing me one place search another, stop somewhere waiting for you."

References

Folsom, E. & Price, K. (2009). The Walt Whitman Archive. Accessed 26 February 2009. http://www.whitmanarchive.org/

Whitman, W. "Song of Myself." Accessed 26 February 2009. http://www.princeton.edu/~batke/logr/log_026.html.....