Whitman's "Song Of Myself"
Read each of these passages from "Song of Myself." Then determine which statement comes closest to the attitude or world view that Whitman expresses in the passage. Take a screenshot of your score report to submit on the next page.
- 1.I loaf and invite my soul. I lean and loaf at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.
- A.
a. People should not interfere with nature.
- B.
b. Observation of nature is a valuable activity.
- C.
c. Only lazy people have time to enjoy nature.
- 2.There are really the thoughts of all men in all ages and lands, they are not original with me, / If they are not yours as much they are mine they are nothing, or next to nothing.
- A.
a. Any individual's voice is a humble voice, prone to error.
- B.
b. The human soul is essentially the same in every time and place.
- C.
c. If poetry does not express new ideas and feelings, it is worthless.
- 3.I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, Hoping to cease not till death.
- A.
a. Life is an active business, not a passive one.
- B.
b. Good health is essential to leading a good life.
- C.
c. As one grows older, one naturally slows down.
- 4.The wild gander leads his flock through the cool night, Ya-honk he says, and sounds it down to me like an invitation.
- A.
a. Wild creatures can inspire a sense of adventure in people.
- B.
b. People are essentially followers, looking for a strong leader.
- C.
c. Birds are unpleasant creatures that send secret messages few humans can understand.
- 5.Do I contradict myself? / Very well then I contradict myself, / (I am large, I contain multitudes.)
- A.
a. People who contradict themselves are phony hypocrites.
- B.
b. To feel shame for being overweight is a foolish contradiction.
- C.
c. The human spirit is capable of contradictions, which is no bad thing.
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