"Song of Myself
Discuss the meaning of a section of "Song of Myself" or the meaning of one of the other shorter
poems. Do you see a connection between the meaning of the poem and a Transcendentalist belief? Does
the poem you discuss remind you of a statement made by Emerson?
Sample Solution
n section 51 of "Song of Myself," Walt Whitman writes:I loaf and invite my soul, I lean and loaf at ease observing a spear of summer grass.This section of the poem is often interpreted as a celebration of the simple pleasures of life. Whitman describes how he enjoys loafing and observing the natural world. He finds beauty in the simplest things, such as a spear of summer grass.
Full Answer Section
This section of the poem can also be seen as a reflection of Transcendentalist beliefs. Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that emphasizes the importance of the individual and the connection between the individual and the natural world. Whitman's celebration of the simple pleasures of life and his appreciation for the natural world are both consistent with Transcendentalist beliefs. Transcendentalist Beliefs Transcendentalism is a philosophical movement that originated in the United States in the early 19th century. Transcendentalists believe that the individual is capable of direct experience of the divine. They also believe that the individual is connected to the natural world and that the natural world is a source of spiritual inspiration. Some of the key tenets of Transcendentalism include:- The belief in the divinity of the individual.
- The belief in the interconnectedness of all things.
- The belief in the importance of nature.
- The belief in the importance of intuition.
"Standing on the bare ground,—my head bathed by the blithe air, and uplifted into the infinite space,—I became a transparent eyeball; I was nothing; I saw all; the currents of the Universal Being circulated through me; I was part or parcel of God."This statement expresses the same idea as section 51 of "Song of Myself." Both passages celebrate the simple pleasures of life and the connection between the individual and the natural world. They also both suggest that the individual can experience the divine through direct experience of the natural world. Conclusion Section 51 of "Song of Myself" is a beautiful and moving celebration of the simple pleasures of life. It is also a reflection of Transcendentalist beliefs. The section suggests that the individual can experience the divine through direct experience of the natural world. This is a powerful and important idea that is still relevant today.