Song of Myself, 1 [I Celebrate myself]
Overall tone- free verse adds to the call for freedom, love for individuality and self-discovery; repetition of terms adds to the emphasis on self and identity; imagery of human connectedness adds to tone and meaning
Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten, I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard, Nature without check with original energy.
leaving the formal, structured learning behind to experience life and nature to fully create one's identity
And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
Subdivision 2- summary- Whitman says if I do it, you should do it too because we are all humans, we are all made up of atoms and are connected to each other.
Creeds and schools
metaphor of creeds as all established faiths and schools representing formalized education
parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same,
demonstrating time going on forever and ever
My tongue, every atom of my blood, form'd from this soil, this air, Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the same, I, now thirty-seven years old in perfect health begin, Hoping to cease not till death.
Subdivision 4- Everything we are is formed from nature- our bodies, our blood and the atoms that make us up are all connected to nature and that goes back through human lineage (born here of parents, who were born from parents the same, and their parents the same indicates this has been throughout history). Now, it's his turn to take on the world.
spear of summer
alliteration
lean and loafe
alliteration
every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
the diction choice of atom- breaks down to our smallest pieces and connects us as humans
I Celebrate myself, and sing myself,
Subdivision 1- summary- Whitman is emphasizing the celebration of himself as an individual; celebrating and singing are for the self and our own abilities
Creeds and schools in abeyance, Retiring back a while sufficed at what they are, but never forgotten, I harbor for good or bad, I permit to speak at every hazard, Nature without check with original energy.
Subdivision 5- We should put learned religious rules and formal education aside and be happy with what they are or have provided us but not forget them as we move forward to new exploration. Now, we can deal in experiences--good or bad and experience nature and life as it comes.
I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.
Subdivision 3- Whitman is relaxing and inviting his soul to relax with him and examine the natural world around him.