Song of Myself: Section 2 -

Summary & Analysis

Houses and rooms are full of perfumes, the shelves are crowded with
perfumes,
I breathe the fragrance myself and know it and like it,
The distillation would intoxicate me also, but I shall not let it.
The atmosphere is not a perfume, it has no taste of the distillation, it is
odorless,
It is for my mouth forever, I am in love with it,
I will go to the bank by the wood and become undisguised and naked,
I am mad for it to be in contact with me.
The smoke of my own breath,
Echoes, ripples, buzz’d whispers, love-root, silk-thread, crotch and vine,
My respiration and inspiration, the beating of my heart, the passing of blood
and air through my lungs,
The sniff of green leaves and dry leaves, and of the shore and dark-color’d
sea-rocks, and of hay in the barn,
The sound of the belch’d words of my voice loos’d to the eddies of the
wind,
A few light kisses, a few embraces, a reaching around of arms,
The play of shine and shade on the trees as the supple boughs wag,
The delight alone or in the rush of the streets, or along the fields and hill-
sides,
The feeling of health, the full-noon trill, the song of me rising from bed and
meeting the sun.
Have you reckon’d a thousand acres much? have you reckon’d the earth
much?
Have you practis’d so long to learn to read?
Have you felt so proud to get at the meaning of poems?
Stop this day and night with me and you shall possess the origin of all
poems,
You shall possess the good of the earth and sun, (there are millions of suns
left,)
You shall no longer take things at second or third hand, nor look through the
eyes of the dead, nor feed on the spectres in books,
You shall not look through my eyes either, nor take things from me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from your self.

EXPLANATION WITH CRITICAL ANALYSIS

 You shall not look through my eyes either nor take things from
me,
You shall listen to all sides and filter them from yourself.

These lines depict the world of man and the world of nature. The poet
announces that the intoxicating life of man, the bookish knowledge, which is
imparted in educational institutions is insufficient to mold his personality
The poet gives vent to his thought that nature is the best teacher to mankind.
He wants the people to gain first-hand experience from their own eyes and
ears. Books only describe what the poets and authors have seen. It is second
hand experience for the reader. Hence, Whitman says, a firsthand
knowledge of nature is reward in itself.

SUMMARY AND CRITICAL APPRECIATION

The poet stresses the necessity of going into the open nature without
inhibition. In the open woods, he wants to have direct contact with the
volatile original energy of nature. He wants a firsthand experience of what
nature has to give. This reminds one of Wordsworth whose teacher was
nature herself. The poet describes the stuffy, intoxicating life in houses and
rooms. It distracts the poet’s mood also. Yet he wants to inhale draughts of
the odorless air of the open atmosphere. He wants to go to nature, mingle
and become one with her.

WHITMAN EXPERIENCES VARIETY

He likes to discard the common mechanical life. He likes to roam in the

arms of nature, listening to the “echoes, ripples, buzz’d whispers, love-root,
silk thread, crotch and vine”; and observe life in the woods and smelling the
fresh greenness of the leaves. The poet’s robust approach to life is seen in
this section. He seems to enjoy every minute of his life packed with various
experiences. He likes “the play of shine and shade of the trees”; “A few light
kisses, a few embraces, a reaching around of arms,” “the full-moon trill, the
song of me rising from bed and meeting the sun.” Every little activity has a
meaning for the poet. It goes to make life eventful.

READER INVOLVES INTO MYSTICAL EXPERIENCE

 He emphasizes that bookish knowledge is removed from reality. It will
be just a presentation of what is found in nature. The experience becomes
second-hand. Hence he wants the reader to go with him to the open woods,
to come into direct contact with nature, and gain first-hand experience. He
prepares himself and the reader to set out on a journey to attain the mystical
experience. To Wordsworth, a direct communion with nature meant to attain
‘that blessed mood which is the result of such a communion. Whitman also
advises that though a man thinks that he achieves something great when he
reads or deciphers some great scientific mystery or theory, yet a man loses
something if he does not enrich himself with direct contact with what the
bountiful nature has got to give. Whitman’s treatment of nature is personal.
Being a mystic, his attitude to nature is pantheistic. Every object in nature
symbolizes the greatness and glory of the Creator-God. His equal love for
animals, birds, flowers, trees shows his democratic approach to nature. He
recognizes the worth of every object in nature. Hence he invites the readers
to get into communion with nature at first hand.

Write an essay on structure and style of Walt Whitman's

Song Of Myself(section I & II).
Walt Whitman’s *Song of Myself* is a quintessential work of American
literature, renowned for its innovative structure and distinct style.
Composed as part of his larger work *Leaves of Grass*, this poem
epitomizes the ideals of individualism, democracy, and the celebration of
the human spirit. The first two sections of the poem serve as an
introduction to Whitman’s themes and approach, showcasing his unique
poetic voice and revolutionary structure.

### Structure

The structure of *Song of Myself* defies conventional poetic forms. It is

written in free verse, a style that Whitman is often credited with
popularizing. Free verse allows for a more natural flow of ideas,
mirroring the rhythms of thought and speech rather than adhering to a
strict metrical pattern. This choice reflects Whitman’s desire to break
away from traditional poetic constraints and embrace a form that is as
expansive and inclusive as the themes he explores.

In the first section, the poem begins with the speaker’s assertion of self:
"I celebrate myself, and sing myself." This opening line sets the tone for
the entire work, emphasizing the importance of the individual while also
suggesting a collective identity ("For every atom belonging to me as good
belongs to you"). The structure here is fluid, with lines flowing into one
another, creating a sense of unity between the speaker and the reader, as
well as between the individual and the collective.

The second section continues this free-flowing structure, beginning with a

question: "Have you reckon’d a thousand acres much? have you reckon’d
the earth much?" This rhetorical device invites the reader to contemplate
the vastness of the natural world and the self's relationship to it. The lines
in this section are long and unpunctuated, contributing to a sense of
expansiveness and the idea that the poem is an endless exploration of the
self and the universe.

### Style

Whitman’s style in *Song of Myself* is characterized by its boldness and

originality. He employs a conversational tone that is both intimate and
grand, making the reader feel as though they are part of a larger, cosmic
dialogue. His use of repetition, parallelism, and cataloging adds to the
rhythmic quality of the poem, creating a sense of movement and energy.
The style of the first section is marked by its celebratory tone. Whitman
uses the first person ("I celebrate myself") to assert his individuality, but
he quickly expands this to include all of humanity ("For every atom
belonging to me as good belongs to you"). This inclusive approach
reflects Whitman’s democratic ideals, where the self is both singular and
universal, personal and collective.

In the second section, Whitman’s style becomes more philosophical and

contemplative. He poses questions and offers reflections that challenge
the reader to consider their place in the world. The language is rich with
sensory imagery, as seen in lines like "The smoke of my own breath, /
Echoes, ripples, buzz’d whispers, love-root, silk-thread, crotch and vine,"
which evoke a deep connection to the physical world. This imagery
reinforces Whitman’s belief in the interconnectedness of all things, a
theme that permeates the entire poem.

Whitman also employs a form of linguistic exuberance, often stringing

together words and images in a way that feels both spontaneous and
deliberate. This style reflects the poet’s embrace of life in all its
complexity and his rejection of traditional boundaries, whether they be in
language, form, or thought.

### Conclusion

In the first two sections of *Song of Myself*, Walt Whitman establishes

the structure and style that define the entire poem. His use of free verse,
expansive lines, and a conversational tone invites the reader into a deeply
personal yet universal exploration of the self and its relationship to the
world. Through his innovative approach, Whitman breaks away from
traditional poetic conventions, creating a work that is as boundless and
inclusive as the themes it explores. These sections lay the groundwork for
the rest of the poem, where Whitman continues to celebrate the
individual, the collective, and the profound connections that unite all
living beings.

Why Whitman called his poem 'Song of Myself' a song in

reference to Section I & II of the poem?
Walt Whitman’s decision to call his poem "Song of Myself" a *song* is
deeply tied to the themes and stylistic elements present in Sections I and
II of the poem. The term "song" carries connotations of music,
celebration, and the expression of emotion, all of which are central to
Whitman’s poetic project in this work.

### Celebration of the Self and the Collective

In Section I, Whitman opens with the line, "I celebrate myself, and sing
myself," immediately framing the poem as a celebration. The word
"song" suggests that the poem is not merely a written text but a lyrical,
musical expression of the self. By choosing the word "song," Whitman
aligns his work with the tradition of songs as a medium for expressing
joy, individuality, and the human experience. The act of singing implies a
sense of freedom and spontaneity, which mirrors the free verse form that
Whitman employs. This form allows him to express his thoughts and
feelings in a flowing, unrestricted manner, much like the way a song can
shift in tone and rhythm.

Furthermore, the "song" is not just about the individual self but also about
the collective. Whitman writes, "For every atom belonging to me as good
belongs to you." This line suggests that the song of the self is inherently
connected to others, reflecting the idea that the personal and the universal
are intertwined. The concept of a song, which can be shared and
experienced by many, reinforces the idea of collective participation and
unity.

### Embracing the Rhythms of Life

In Section II, Whitman’s use of sensory imagery and his exploration of

the natural world further justify the title "Song of Myself." He writes,
"The smoke of my own breath, / Echoes, ripples, buzz’d whispers, love-
root, silk-thread, crotch and vine," creating a rhythm that mimics the
natural sounds and movements of the world around him. This rhythm is
akin to a musical composition, where different elements come together to
form a harmonious whole. By calling the poem a "song," Whitman
emphasizes the idea that life itself has a rhythm and melody, and his
poem seeks to capture and express that.

The term "song" also suggests a level of accessibility and emotional

resonance. Songs are typically more immediate and emotionally engaging
than more formal or abstract forms of writing. In Sections I and II,
Whitman invites the reader to engage with the poem on an emotional
level, using a conversational tone and direct address ("Have you reckon’d
a thousand acres much?"). This approach makes the poem feel like a
shared experience, much like a song that can be sung or listened to by
others.

### The Infinite and the Eternal

Lastly, the idea of a "song" aligns with Whitman’s broader philosophical

themes. In these early sections, Whitman hints at the infinite nature of the
self and the universe, ideas that recur throughout the poem. A song, by its
nature, can be repeated, echoed, and passed on, much like the ongoing
cycle of life and the continuity of existence that Whitman celebrates. The
concept of a song suggests something eternal, something that can
transcend the boundaries of time and space, much like the self that
Whitman describes.

### Conclusion

Whitman’s choice to refer to his poem as a "song" in *Song of Myself* is

deeply connected to the themes of celebration, rhythm, and unity present
in Sections I and II. The title encapsulates the poem’s essence as an
expression of the self, one that is both personal and universal, intimate
and expansive. By calling his poem a "song," Whitman emphasizes its
lyrical quality, its connection to the rhythms of life, and its ability to
resonate with others on a profound emotional level. This choice reflects
Whitman’s vision of poetry as a living, breathing art form that captures
the essence of the human experience in all its complexity and beauty.