WALT WHITMAN By Gabrielle Sawick

Writing Style Many of his poems had specific themes or underlying messages he wanted to convey Thought of as most influential poets in America Combined transcendentalism and realism in work Wrote many poems and novels in favor of temperance

Writing Style Due to his writing style, his sexuality was determined to either be homosexual or bisexual –Leaves of Grass was most controversial because many thought it was obscene commonly referred to as the “Poet of democracy” because he was able to write in a singularly American character His writings allowed the reader to realize themselves and the nature of their American experience

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 deck- hand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The woodcutter'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. I HEAR AMERICA SINGING

Repitition The word “singing” is used eleven times throughout the poem Whitman does this to display that the common American takes pride in performing one’s job –Each one person is singing what belongs to them

Theme A major theme in this poem is the spirit of democracy or representation of the common man The people talked about in the poem are common people – mechanics, carpenters, shoemakers, wives, mothers Whitman idolizes these people and their jobs and being unique to America

Works Cited /Walt-Whitman