Mason

He doesn't let us off easy, does he? It's like he's holding up a mirror and saying, deal with it. But, you know, there's also this sense of freedom in his honesty. This boldness actually ties into another big part of Song of Myself, Whitman's democratic spirit.

He doesn't let us off easy, does he? It's like he's holding up a mirror and saying, deal with it. But, you know, there's also this sense of freedom in his honesty. This boldness actually ties into another big part of Song of Myself, Whitman's democratic spirit.

Exactly. And he sees poetry as a way to give everyone a voice, regardless of background.

Exactly. And he sees poetry as a way to give everyone a voice, regardless of background.

Not at all. He's intentionally highlighting everyday people, especially those on the margins of society.

Not at all. He's intentionally highlighting everyday people, especially those on the margins of society.

It's not just that he's writing about them, though. He's clearly empathizing with them. Like that line, the heavy-lipped slave is invited. There shall be no difference between them and the rest. Just jumps out at you, doesn't it?

It's not just that he's writing about them, though. He's clearly empathizing with them. Like that line, the heavy-lipped slave is invited. There shall be no difference between them and the rest. Just jumps out at you, doesn't it?

It really makes you think about America today. Are we living up to that ideal of no difference between people?

It really makes you think about America today. Are we living up to that ideal of no difference between people?

It really does. It's like this poem is still speaking to us across time. And Whitman doesn't just move through social classes. He takes us on these incredible journeys through time and space, too. His imagery is so vivid, it's like he's teleporting us into these scenes.

It really does. It's like this poem is still speaking to us across time. And Whitman doesn't just move through social classes. He takes us on these incredible journeys through time and space, too. His imagery is so vivid, it's like he's teleporting us into these scenes.

Oh, it totally is. Like that line where he's talking about sailing across the ocean. My ties and ballasts leave me. My elbows rest in sea gaps. I skirt Sierras. My palms cover continents.

Oh, it totally is. Like that line where he's talking about sailing across the ocean. My ties and ballasts leave me. My elbows rest in sea gaps. I skirt Sierras. My palms cover continents.

It's so grand and sweeping. You can almost feel the wind in your hair.

It's so grand and sweeping. You can almost feel the wind in your hair.

Right. Super strict.

Right. Super strict.

Ah, that's why it feels so different. So much more. Unbound.

Ah, that's why it feels so different. So much more. Unbound.