"Song of Myself" is a poem written by Walt Whitman (1819–1892). It is part of his collection called Leaves of Grass. This poem is said to show the main idea of Whitman's poetic work. Many people believe it is his most important poem.

Publication history

The poem was first published without sections as the first of twelve poems without titles in the first (1855) edition of Leaves of Grass. The first edition was published by Whitman at his own expense.

In the second (1856) edition, Whitman used the title "Poem of Walt Whitman, an American," which was shortened to "Walt Whitman" for the third (1860) edition.

The poem was divided into fifty-two numbered sections for the fourth (1867) edition and finally took on the title "Song of Myself" in the last edition (1891–92). The number of sections is generally thought to match the number of weeks in the year.

Walt Whitman: Complete Poetry and Collected Prose (the Library of America, 1982) includes the 1855 edition and the 1891–92 edition.

Reception

After it was published in 1855, critics and readers noticed "Song of Myself" right away. The poem is still considered one of the most important and influential in American poetry. Jay Parini and Mark Edmundson both said it is the greatest American poem ever written.

The Christian Spiritualist magazine gave a long and positive review, praising Walt Whitman for creating a new kind of poetry that connected with spiritual ideas. Ralph Waldo Emerson wrote a letter to Whitman, calling the 1855 version of Leaves of Grass "the most extraordinary piece of wit and wisdom that America has yet contributed."

However, many people did not accept the poem at first. Some social conservatives criticized it for showing clear descriptions of human sexuality, which they believed went against accepted moral standards. In 1882, Boston's district attorney threatened to take legal action against Leaves of Grass because of its content, asking for changes to parts of "Song of Myself."

When "Song of Myself" was first released, it received very little praise from critics. It was often banned from public libraries, and many critics wrote negative reviews. Because of this, few people outside of critics and those who received copies directly from Whitman read the poem during his lifetime.

In response to the many negative reviews of his poem, Walt Whitman wrote his own review of "Song of Myself" under a secret name, where he explained his thoughts.

Literary style

The poem is written in Whitman's free verse style, which does not follow traditional rules for poetry, such as rhyming or set stanza patterns. Whitman, who values simple language, like "simple as grass" (section 39), chooses an easy-to-read style that can reach many readers.

Critics have observed that the poem shows the influence of Transcendentalist ideas. For example, in section 32, Whitman writes, "I think I could turn and live with animals."

In addition to these ideas, the poem also includes details about everyday life that resemble a literary style called realism, which became more important in American literature after the American Civil War. One example is Whitman's use of descriptions that show the real, unpolished aspects of daily living.

Themes in ‘Song of Myself’

Walt Whitman’s poem “Song of Myself” is connected to ideas that challenged traditional beliefs. The poem includes many elements that are often linked to Whitman’s overall writing style. In the poem, there is a struggle between Whitman’s love for his country and his disagreement with the social rules of America during the time he wrote “Leaves of Grass.” The idea of equality is a major theme in the work. Whitman shows that all people are the same, and he represents all Americans, not just one group based on class, race, gender, or beliefs.

The poem also discusses the American Civil War. In stanza 34, Whitman describes the Battle of Alamo, a key event in Texas’s history, without romanticizing it. He tells the story of soldiers as if he saw the battle himself, even though he did not personally experience the war until the 1860s. He focuses on the suffering of soldiers, especially the young men who were captured and killed.

Themes of love and relationships are important in “Leaves of Grass” and appear often in “Song of Myself.” These ideas are present throughout the poem and influenced how people first received it. One of the main themes is the exploration of love and relationships in ways that differ from traditional views. Whitman writes about both strong emotional bonds between men and romantic love, emphasizing deep feelings and connections.

Many critics and scholars have studied Whitman’s work and believe his writing suggests he had non-traditional views on love and relationships. Some describe him as having a complex personality and suggest that his poems, especially “Song of Myself,” reflect his personal experiences with same-sex attraction. While some critics try to interpret his work to support these ideas, others, like Michael Moon and Byrne R.S. Fone, believe Whitman’s descriptions of his own identity should be taken directly as written.

In “Song of Myself,” Whitman also addresses how women are viewed in society. His portrayal of women goes against traditional ideas about gender roles. For example, in section 2, he describes a woman observing men bathing, which allows her to imagine things that were considered private or forbidden at the time. He shows that women have desires and emotions, just like men.

Whitman also talks about fairness between men and women in the poem. He states that as a poet, he represents both genders equally and believes that men and women should be treated the same.

The idea of class differences is another important theme in “Song of Myself.” Whitman expresses his dislike for the unfair treatment of people based on wealth. He criticizes those who gain advantages from these differences without working for them themselves.

"Self"

In the poem, Whitman uses a powerful "I" as the narrator. This "I" should not be confused with the real person, Walt Whitman. The narrator in the poem has gone beyond the usual idea of self: "I am with people when they die and when new babies are born, and I am not limited to my hat and boots" (section 7).

Other lines from the poem show that the narrator does not represent just one person. Instead, the narrator speaks for many:
• "Every part of me that is good also belongs to you." (Section 1)
• "In all people I see myself, none more and not one a barleycorn less/And the good or bad I say of myself I say of them." (Section 20)
• "You are speaking just as much as I am, I act as the voice for you." (Section 47)
• "Do I contradict myself? Very well then I contradict myself, (I am large, I contain multitudes.)" (Section 51)

Alice L. Cook and John B. Mason explain the idea of "self" in the poem. Cook says the key to understanding the poem is the "concept of self" (as shown by Whitman) that is both individual and universal. Mason discusses "how readers connect with the poet's journey from individual to universal ideas." The "self" in the poem represents an ideal of humanity. Unlike the typical self in epic poetry, which is a hero, this self is ordinary people. However, Whitman sees heroism in every person, like a single leaf among the grass, as part of the whole.

Uses in other media

Canadian doctor and longtime friend of Walt Whitman, Richard Maurice Bucke, studied the poem in his important and popular 1898 book Cosmic Consciousness. He included the poem in his research about how humans develop a spiritual connection to the infinite.

In the movie With Honors, Simon Wilder gives the poem to Monty Kessler. Walt Whitman's writings are a major part of the film, and Simon Wilder is often called the ghost of Walt Whitman.

A line from section 52 of the 1891–92 version of Song of Myself appears in the film Dead Poets Society, directed by Peter Weir. This line describes the "barbaric yawp," a phrase from the poem. It is read aloud by the teacher, John Keating, played by Robin Williams, to show the determination of the film's main characters.

The poem plays an important role in the story of the 2008 young adult novel Paper Towns by John Green.

A documentary called Whitman, Alabama includes scenes of people in Alabama reading lines from Whitman's poems while being filmed.

The poem is a key part of the story in the play I and You by Lauren Gunderson.

Song of Myself greatly influenced the symphonic metal album Imaginaerum (2011) by Nightwish and the fantasy film based on the album.

In the 2020 movie Nine Days, the lead character, Will (played by Winston Duke), recites (or performs) the poem during the final scene.

The quote "I am large, I contain multitudes" from the poem is a central idea in the 2024 movie The Life of Chuck.