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I
Hear America Singing
by Walt Whitman
interpreted by Amanda Maurer
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 measueres his plank or
beam,
The
amson singing his as he makes ready for work, or
leaves
off work,
The
boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the
deckhand
singing on the steamboat deck,
The
shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter
singing
as he stands,
The
wood-cutter'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.
Poet: Walt Whitman (1819-1892) grew up in
Brooklyn and Long Island in a family with 9 children. He learned how to
be a printer and through this he discovered his love for reading and writing.
Vocabulary: [NONE]
Type of poem: Lyric
Speaker: The speaker is someone listening
with pride to the song of America.
Audience: This poem is directed toward America's working class.
Tone: The tone is proud and joyous.
Meaning: This poem describes the song of America. The "song"
represents the joy of being free. All the different people, of different
trades, sing a part of the song. They become a chorus, harmonizing to
make a beautiful melody.
Structure of poem: This poem has no rhyme
or meter that can be determined so it is a free verse.
Examples of poetic techniques used in the poem:
| The
shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench. |
Alliteration |
Young
fellows, robust, friendly, singing with open mouths, their strong
melodious songs.
|
Imagery |
I
hear America singing
|
Personification |
Connection between the poem and the poet's life and/or
times: The poet grew up in New York City, where people of the
working class lived close together. It was also during the time of immigration,
and many of the new Americans had high hopes about their new home. He
most likely observed these people and was inspired to write a poem about
them.
Most memorable quote from the poem: "I hear America singing."
© Smelli Notes 2001
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