Problem
Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" offers a vast portrait of American life in the nineteenth century. Focusing on one or two stanzas of the poem, discuss the following questions:
a) In what ways does Whitman seem to capture uniquely American traits, both in his choice and treatment of subject matter?
b) Explain how the passage(s) you chose reflects a "spirit of individualism," a "democratic sensibility," or both. (Be sure to define these terms in your discussion.)