“I hear America singing” Brenna Pratte By: Walt Whitman

“I hear America singing” By: Walt Whitman 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 deck- hand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The woodcutter's song, the ploughboy's on his way in the morn- ing, 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.

Family Life •The second of nine children •Born in Long Island, New York, to he Quaker parents •In 1823 the Whitman's moved to Brooklyn •His family moved back to Long Island in 1834, but Whitman stayed in Brooklyn

Schooling, Life after Schooling/ Work •Whitman attended public school in Brooklyn •At the age 11 he left school to become a office boy in a law firm, then as a type writer •Whitman stayed in Brooklyn after his family leaves, to go to New York City and become a composer. •Unable to find work he moves back to Long Island and in 1836, and taught at several school. •Whitman di little in terms of employment for 1850-1855

Theme Individualism •Walt Whitman expresses his awe at these Americans singing. In this poem Walt Whitman describes the American people around him as a whole, “America singing”

Influences •Walt Whitman's love for his country and his faith in the nation's citizenry that he produces this poem by 1860. •Feeling threatened by the new President-elect's views • By the time of the first major Battle of the war, the Battle of Bull Run on July 1, 1861, all of the southern slave states were members of the Confederacy

What make Whitman's poetry unique •Whitman writes free verse •doesn't rhyme words •no repetition

Poetic Device 1 Controlling Metaphor •"I hear America singing" substitutes "America" for "American people,“ •Whitman is saying he hears America singing but he really hears American people singing

Poetic Device 2 Personification •"I hear America singing“ •Whitman is giving America a human like quality, America is singing, but America cannot sing

Poetic Device 3 Imagery •The carpenter singing •The mason singing •The boatman singing •The shoemaker singing •The mother singing •all of the American people are singing