The American Voice
Answer the question using complete sentences.
I Hear America Singing
by Walt Whitman
In this poem, Whitman honors the American work ethic. He describes how the voices of individual citizens come together in unison to represent the pride and joy Americans take in their work. At the same time, this blend of different voices into one is symbolic of American patriotism.
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 measures his plank or beam,
The mason 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.
For You O Democracy
by Walt Whitman
In this poem, Whitman celebrates America’s infinite possibility as new nation. Whitman weaves imagery of the American landscape with ideals like unity, harmony, and patriotism.
Come, I will make the continent indissoluble,
I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon,
I will make divine magnetic lands,
With the love of comrades,
With the life-long love of comrades.
I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, and along the shores of the great lakes, and all over the prairies,
I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each other’s necks,
By the love of comrades,
By the manly love of comrades.
For you these from me, O Democracy, to serve you ma femme!
For you, for you I am trilling these songs.
Respond to the prompt.
Consider the topics Whitman addresses in the two poems. What topics do the poems have in common?
How does Whitman develop these shared topics in the poems? Use evidence from the poems to support your answer.
