Resources:
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/walt-whitman
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/175779
Biography:
Along with Emily Dickinson, Walt Whitman is known as one of America's most significant poets. He was born in Long Island, New York, and he received a limited formal education growing up. In spite of his schooling, Whitman's occupations included reporter, school teacher, printer and editor. Being born in the 19th century, his works reflect the Union loyalties as well as admiration for Abraham Lincoln through the pains of the Civil War.
The poem I read for today is titled " I hear America Singing". I really liked how Whitman mentions various formal jobs with their own individually created song or "music". I think it gives the idea that America unites when it makes music, or in other words when everyone works together and contributes the gifts and talents that they have. It reveals an impression that no matter who you are (i.e. what occupation you have) you are a part of this nation. Some "sing" melody and some "sing" harmony. Everyone has a place in this national choir.
I Hear America Singing
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
Something different about us her in the US is that we are very individualistic. This means work our whole lives to be unique and we put emphasis on the individual. This is really kind of weird in this world. Many societies are collective where they all work towards the common whole. Walt writes about this by putting so much emphasis on the different jobs that we are working but we are united as a whole through our country. This really makes us feel a sense of unity and respect for our nation.
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