Song of Myself
by Walt Whitman
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In this extract from his masterpiece, Walt Whitman, America's 'People's Poet', makes a revolutionary declaration of individual freedom and democratic unity: 'I celebrate myself, and sing myself.' He erases the separation between people, insisting 'what I assume you shall assume', for every atom belonging to him belongs equally to the reader. In a state of relaxed mindfulness he 'loafs' and invites his soul to wander, observing a simple 'spear of summer grass' as a symbol of natural, democratic beauty. He proclaims his deep bond with the soil, saying his tongue and blood are formed from 'this soil, this air', tracing his ancestry through generations on the same land. At thirty-seven and in perfect health, he begins his artistic journey, choosing to put 'creeds and schools in abeyance', setting aside dogmas so he can experience raw life. Harbouring both good and bad, he permits himself to speak 'at every hazard', letting 'Nature without check with original energy' flow freely through his poetry. The poem is a celebration of individuality, universal brotherhood and natural beauty.
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Walt Whitman (1819–1892) is widely known as the 'People's Poet' and was America's most individualistic writer. 'Song of Myself' is characterized by its free rhythm, lack of traditional rhyme and democratic themes.
The celebration of self and democracy
Whitman begins with a revolutionary declaration of individual freedom and democratic unity: 'I celebrate myself, and sing myself.' He immediately connects his individual identity with the collective human experience: 'And what I assume you shall assume.' For Whitman there is no separation between human beings, because every single atom that belongs to him belongs equally to the reader.
The invitation to the soul
The speaker describes a state of relaxed mindfulness, free from material worries. He 'loafs' (wanders aimlessly) and invites his soul to wander with him. Leaning and loafing at his ease, he quietly observes a simple, beautiful 'spear of summer grass', which serves as a symbol of the natural, democratic beauty of the universe.
Connection to the soil and perfect health
Whitman proclaims his deep, biological connection to his homeland, stating that his tongue and every atom of his blood have been formed from 'this soil, this air'. He proudly traces his ancestry, noting he was born of parents born of parents the same, stretching back through generations on the same land. At thirty-seven years old, in perfect physical and mental health, the poet begins his artistic journey, hoping to continue writing and celebrating life without ceasing until his death.
Creeds in abeyance and Nature's original energy
Whitman addresses the social, religious and political divisions of his era, deciding to put 'creeds and schools' (dogmas and institutions of thought) 'in abeyance'. While he acknowledges their historical place and does not forget them, he retires them for a while because they are 'sufficed at what they are' and often limit human freedom. Harbouring both good and bad within himself, he permits himself to speak 'at every hazard', refusing to let artificial social rules censor his voice and instead letting 'Nature without check with original energy' flow freely through his poetry.