I CELEBRATE MYSELF by WALT WHITMAN

                                        

1. I CELEBRATE MYSELF

                                         WALT WHITMAN

 ANNOTATIONS:

1. For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

Poem and Poet: The philosophical line have been extracted from the poem ‘I Celebrate Myself’, written by Walt Whitman.  The poem forms the opening section of his longer poem ‘Song of Myself’.  The poem explains the concept of self and the view that all living and nonliving beings are but the different forms of the Supreme Being.

Context and Meaning: This poem is known for its vision of equality. It is equally famous for its view that all forms of life on earth are but different expressions of the sameSupreme Being.  In celebrating himself, Walt Whitman celebrates the glory of all creations and the creator.  For, God expresses himself in all of his creations.  In making this statement the poet glorifies democracy.  This poem is spiritual and patriotic at the same time.

Critical Appreciation: As the poet rightly points out, we are all equal in the true sense of the expression because we all came from the same source – the Almighty.

• My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this soil, this air.

Poem and Poet: The philosophical line have been extracted from the poem ‘I Celebrate Myself’, written by Walt Whitman.  The poem forms the opening section of his longer poem ‘Song of Myself’.  The poem explains the concept of self and the view that all living and nonliving beings are but the different forms of the Supreme Being.

Context and Meaning: The poet expresses his immeasurable love for this motherland by saying that every part of his body and every atom of his blood were formed from the soil and air of his native land.  He adds that not lonely he, but his parents and their ancestors were born in the same country and thus were indebted to its soil and air.  He is proud of his country and family.

Critical Appreciation: This line reflects the poet’s patriotism and his attachment to his family and ancestors.

• I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin,

Hoping to cease not till the death.

Poem and Poet: The philosophical line have been extracted from the poem ‘I Celebrate Myself’, written by Walt Whitman.  The poem forms the opening section of his longer poem ‘Song of Myself’.  The poem explains the concept of self and the view that all living and nonliving beings are but the different forms of the Supreme Being.

Context and Meaning: At the time of writing this poem, the poet was thirty-seven years old.  He enjoys perfect health.  He also hopes that he will continue to be in good health till his death.  The poet appreciates every aspect of his life the land that he was born in, its soil and air. Celebration of this sort is nothing but singing the glory of God and sincere patriotic feelings of the poet.

Critical Appreciation: The poet appreciates every aspect of his life including his health, the land that he was born in, its soil and air.  Thus, it is an expression of his admiration for everything created by God and his Patriotic feelings of his homeland.

• Nature without check with original energy.

Poem and Poet: The philosophical line have been extracted from the poem ‘I Celebrate Myself’, written by Walt Whitman.  The poem forms the opening section of his longer poem ‘Song of Myself’.  The poem explains the concept of self and the view that all living and nonliving beings are but the different forms of the Supreme Being.

Context and Meaning: The poet conveys that creeds and schools of thought that have great influence on man should be kept at a distance.  He has learnt sufficiently form them and they will not be forgotten altogether.  However in order to have freedom of thought and opinion he should be guided by the primal forces of nature, because nature might speak with no control whatever.

Critical Appreciation: Nature guides us through her simple and straight forward ways.  She is our ‘friend, philosopher and guide’.  We can trust her much more than the manmade creeds and schools of thought.

PARAGRAPH QUESTIONS:

1. Explain briefly what the poet, Walt Whitman, celebrates.

Ans: Walt Whitman’s Philosophical poem ‘I Celebrate Myself’ is a rare blend of spirituality and patriotism.  It is the opening section of Whitman’s longer poem ‘Song of Myself’.  In this poem, the poet seeks to explain the concept l of self.  His concept has its roots in philosophical view that all living and non-living entities are but the different forms of the Supreme Being.

‘Song of Myself’, is one of the most famous poems of America.  This poem is important for its vision of equality.  ‘I Celebrate Myself’ is the opening section of this sprawling poem.  The poet celebrates the spirit of democracy, the greatness of the soil, and the glory of the Lord.  ‘I’ in the poem is the poet himself.  Yet, it refers to the reader too, and extends further to become a universal entity.  The poem praises his existence, his land, his parents, his health, nature and everything in this universe.  Celebration of this sort is but singing the glory of God.

• Describe the poet’s attachment to his soil and air.

Ans: Walt Whitman’s Philosophical poem ‘I Celebrate Myself’ is a rare blend of spirituality and patriotism.  It is the opening section of Whitman’s longer poem ‘Song of Myself’.  In this poem, the poet seeks to explain the concept l of self.  His concept has its roots in philosophical view that all living and non-living entities are but the different forms of the Supreme Being.

The poet has a great admiration for the beauty of a blade of grass.  He invites his soul to lean down and observe the blade of summer grass.  He asserts that he nurtured by the soil of his country and breathes its fresh air. He celebrates the greatness of the soil and confirms that every atom of his blood is indebted to his native land.  He takes pride in his family and his ancestors who also belonged to the same land.  Thus the poem is a celebration of the whole cosmic self.

• What does the poet, Walt Whitman, harbor?

Ans: Walt Whitman’s Philosophical poem ‘I Celebrate Myself’ is a rare blend of spirituality and patriotism.  It is the opening section of Whitman’s longer poem ‘Song of Myself’.  In this poem, the poet seeks to explain the concept l of self.  His concept has its roots in philosophical view that all living and non-living entities are but the different forms of the Supreme Being.

The poet wants to have the power to distinguish between good and bad.  He should also be able to voice his opinion at every hazardous situation.  He should be influenced only by the primal energy of nature.  He has the confidence that nature will guide in the right way.  Thus the poem blends the appreciation of nature with his faith in God.