It's this simplistic beauty of inclusivity and at the same time its complexity that make this poem one of the most celebrated. Universal 'I': Though the poem is about the poet's self, he universalizes the concept of 'I' to include all of our selves in his experiences. The exact opposite philosophy is found in the genre, Dark Romanticism - Study Guide He is inseparable from his poems, he is his poems, which makes for a somewhat confusing, yet exhiliarting experience for his readers, establishing Whitman as a foremost poet of the ages.įind out more about other works in this genre, Transcendentalism - Study Guide Whitman has great respect for the mystical union of his self and his soul with God (the absolute self).

Whitman shares his belief that every object in the universe, no matter how small, has a natural and spiritual self that contain part of the infinite universe. We see all, are part of everything, and condemn nothing. It was called A Poem of Walt Whitman, an American until he changed it in 1881 to Song of Myself, a reflection of the work's broader implications: that the divine spirit resides within all of us, and that we have knowledge about ourselves that 'transcends' the world around us. People should be at peace with themselves, others and nature and enjoy life without fearing death.Quite simply, Whitman's poem is an unabashed celebration all about himself, exemplifying the Transcendental Movement to a 'T.' The poem had no title when first published in his collection, Leaves of Grass (1855). Therefore, life and death are connected, and one leads to the other. The speaker uses symbols and his opinions to convey that there is no end to life because when a person dies, their life begins in another place.

In conclusion, the poem discusses how people relate to others, nature, and the universe. Therefore, through the grass symbol and his commentary, the speaker shows how life leads to death and vice versa. In lines 126 to 127, Whitman (1855) emphasizes that the smallest sprout indicates that there is no death, and if it ever existed, it would only lead to a forward life. He states the possibility that the dead could be alive and well somewhere else. For instance, in lines 121 to 125, the poet explains what he thinks happens to dead young people, children, and the old (Whitman, 1855). The speaker also uses his commentary or opinion to communicate how life and death are intertwined. In this case, grass signifies reproduction that brings about life and simultaneously represents death.

However, in line 110, the speaker relates grass to the beautiful uncut hair of graves (Whitman, 1855). The grass symbol is very prominent in the poem for example, in line 105, Whitman describes grass as a child produced by vegetation. Throughout the poem, the speaker uses symbols to show the connection between life and death.

From song of myself