by Dolores Moore

Created on: August 04, 2008

Walt Whitman (1819-1892), in 1855, published his collection "Leaves of Grass" and this poem is the fourth in the section "The Answerer." The whole volumes were re-published in 1900. It is fair to say that Whitman was a major influence on poetic form and construction, right up to modern times. He broke the mould, as it were, of stilted, standarized, pseudo classical contortions in the writing of poery. He found his voice and he used it magnificently. His vision of America and its people, is one of a transcendent belief in the value and goodness of the nation. This shines through in the piece of work under examination here. This wonderful, exuberant poem celebrates each and every person in a way that really does make Whitman the "public poet." With a free verse form, this work dances along, and the repetition of the word "singing" throughout, gives it a rhythmic, vibrant, melodic power that rings like church bells on a summer morning. "The varied carols I hear" (l.1) and "Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs." (l.11) encompass the whole poem in a joyous, uplifting surge.

No matter what role, no matter what job of work, Whitman exults in the qualities and natures of the people of America. He expresses a celebration of every individual, all of whom can sing while involved in mundane tasks. This may seem rather idealistic, but the poet had vast life experience and valued his fellow citizens, respecting everything they accomplished, be they mechanic or mother; in fact, this poem is a song of praise.

It may be interpreted as giving respect and recognition to those whose labour built a great nation. Without the "...delicious singing of the mother" (l. 8), in itself a sensory image of taste, touch, sound and scent, the country could never have become great. In particular, I love the line "Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else," (l. 9). That shouts to me of the rights of the individual to be what they are, to be proud of their achievements, to sing their song. It also offers the concept of individual personality. No matter that Whitman spoke of "mechanics", "boatman", "shoemaker" or "deckhand", within the groups, he shows us real, individual people. Interestingly, there are fewer roles for women expressed, but that in itself reflects the times in which he wrote. The female's importance is still emphasized, as in "the girl sewing or washing" (l. 8) and "him or her" (l. 9). The use of "hatter singing as he stands" (l. 6) conjures the image of a hatstand in an old fashioned shop window, bringing together the music, the work and the finished product. Each line is just a whole picture, a bigger concept than the words at first suggest.

This poem says that every person contributes in a joyful harmony, and that when work is done, voices are uplifted, "at night the party of young fellows, robust friendly" (l. 10). The word "fellows" suggests fellowship, it does not differentiate between sexes, it brings everyone together "singing with open mouths..." (l. 11). There are no full stops, or sudden breaks in this poem, no rhyming couplets, no standard forms or verse making here. Just a realistic, intense representation of the joyful voice of the poet, involving the reader in the dance and song. In a society today, where everybody is busy making money, or just keeping head above water, the message of "I Hear America Singing" could stand as an ideal we could aspire to achieve. If only we could sing again.

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