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Essay On Walt Whitman's Song Of Myself

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In “Song of Myself,” by Walt Whitman, Whitman uses grass and a hawk as symbols to convey an underlying message of equality in America. During this time era, the 1800s, slavery was going on, meaning many racism was also going on. Whitman supports the idea of having equality for instance in the section, “A Child Said What Is The Grass?,” Whitman says, “Kanuck, Tuckahoe, Congressman, Cuff, I give them the same, I receive them the same” (Lines 11 - 12). This evidence reveals that Whitman did not care who you are, but that everyone would receive equal actions. Whitman says that all people should treat someone the same as you would want to be treated. If someone wants respect they should also treat others with respect. Whitman uses the slang terms for a French Canadian or African American showing that Whitman does not care if you are a different race. …show more content…
Whitman is a man of respect, gives people the respect he would like back. He used his poetry to show people and teach them that racism is not okay. Anyone and everyone must get the equal amount of actions, no matter where you came from or who you are. In addition, Whitman also shows symbolism of equality with the hawk. He clearly states, “I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world” (Lines 2 - 3). This evidence reveals that Whitman goes against the norms of society. Society at this time was very bad. Blacks were always separated or left out from everything. Whites had more opportunities in many things, such as jobs. They will choose whites over blacks. Whites will get paid better than blacks. Including gender roles made society bad. Men and women had assigned roles. Women had to stay at home cook, clean, and take care of the

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