Poetry Exhibit

Ernesto. Ferreira

and

Allen Werner

Period 2

Walt Whitman Poetry Analysis

1.

  AMERICA

By Walt Whitman 1819–1892 Walt Whitman

Centre of equal daughters, equal sons,

All, all alike endear’d, grown, ungrown, young or old,

Strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable, rich,

Perennial with the Earth, with Freedom, Law and Love,

A grand, sane, towering, seated Mother,

Chair’d in the adamant of Time.

The word "all" being repeated is an example of repetition, which is used to emphasize the word and stress that the following adjectives define all the people of America.  while the "G"s being repeated shows alliteration and gives the poem a serious tone or pattern; this may also compensate for the lack of structure in Whitman's poems. When the Walt uses "seated mother" to describe America he demonstrates personification, which helps give new perspective or better description of America, and changes how it is depicted in the readers head.

Readers could learn about the people of America and their cultural values, by reading this poem.

2.

 

I Hear America Singing

By Walt Whitman 1819–1892 Walt Whitman

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. <-- strong connotation.

 

Personification: America singing. Metaphor: delicious singing. Alliteration: "shoemaker singing as he sits on his"

personification is used to describe America, and the metaphor also helps in doing so; while the alliteration gives a bouncy tone to the poem.

 

Even thought this poem is controversial, a student should still read it as it is a great depiction of America; and a good example of Walt's poetry.

 

 

 

3.

 

“I exist as I am, that is enough” This relates to Whitman’s personality because he is more care free and doesn’t mind others opinions. He is basically saying that he is who he is and he won’t change for anyone else.

 

4.

 

Painted by Thomas Cole and Asher Durand.
This painting relates to Whitman’s poetry because the large open field represents freedom, freedom that Whitman believes everyone should have. He expresses this in his poetry especially towards homosexuals and prostitutes.

 

 

5.

Part V: Bruno Mars –Lazy Song
Walt Whitman has a unique style of poetry. He is said to be the father of American and free verse poetry. His style of poetry is very care free and relaxed. Whitman was really the first to use the free verse style of poetry because he didn’t follow any structure in his poems, thus making him care free. This relates to the song “Lazy Song” by Bruno Mars because in the song Mars is explaining how he doesn’t feel like doing anything. This shows that same care free attitude that Walt Whitman portrays in his poetry.


double bubble words to describe Walt-

1. Transcendentalist
2. Realist
3. Humanist
4. Controversial
5. Egalitarian


"quote from song " today I don't feel like doing anything"
"quote from Walt" I cock my hat as I please"
they both have a care free attitude towards life, admire their self and live to be happy; and do what they like.