Mason

And to learn from the past.

And to learn from the past.

Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.

Thanks for joining us on this deep dive.

All right, let's dive in. Today we're taking a deep dive into Walt Whitman's Song of Myself.

All right, let's dive in. Today we're taking a deep dive into Walt Whitman's Song of Myself.

Specifically, we're looking at the 1892 version.

Specifically, we're looking at the 1892 version.

right and i know i know poetry can sometimes feel like ugh homework totally but trust me on this one song of myself is not your typical poem it's not all flowery sonnets and rhyming couplets this is free verse folks and it's epic we're talking about a journey that explores everything from self-identity to america to the entire universe also like big ideas Huge.

right and i know i know poetry can sometimes feel like ugh homework totally but trust me on this one song of myself is not your typical poem it's not all flowery sonnets and rhyming couplets this is free verse folks and it's epic we're talking about a journey that explores everything from self-identity to america to the entire universe also like big ideas Huge.

And what makes this deep dive even more interesting is the time period it was written in. It's the late 19th century. And America's going through some massive changes. Think industrialization booming. The Civil War just ended.

And what makes this deep dive even more interesting is the time period it was written in. It's the late 19th century. And America's going through some massive changes. Think industrialization booming. The Civil War just ended.

Exactly. And Whitman, with his revolutionary free verse style, he's like a mirror reflecting all that change and disruption. He's totally breaking all these old poetic norms, just like the nation itself is redefining its identity.

Exactly. And Whitman, with his revolutionary free verse style, he's like a mirror reflecting all that change and disruption. He's totally breaking all these old poetic norms, just like the nation itself is redefining its identity.

Totally. Like he's saying, forget the old rules. We're doing things differently now. And he really kicks things off with these bold lines. I celebrate myself and sing myself. Now, before you think he's just being like egotistical, remember, he's actually inviting us, the readers, and now you, the listener, to come along on this journey of self-discovery with him.

Totally. Like he's saying, forget the old rules. We're doing things differently now. And he really kicks things off with these bold lines. I celebrate myself and sing myself. Now, before you think he's just being like egotistical, remember, he's actually inviting us, the readers, and now you, the listener, to come along on this journey of self-discovery with him.

I like that. Messy glory. And that exploration takes us straight to one of Whitman's core ideas, this radical notion of interconnectedness. He sees himself reflected in literally everything. Nature, people, even the tiniest little creatures.

I like that. Messy glory. And that exploration takes us straight to one of Whitman's core ideas, this radical notion of interconnectedness. He sees himself reflected in literally everything. Nature, people, even the tiniest little creatures.

So he's not just talking about feeling connected in a spiritual sense. He's actually claiming to be made of the same stuff as the earth, as everyone else, like literally.

So he's not just talking about feeling connected in a spiritual sense. He's actually claiming to be made of the same stuff as the earth, as everyone else, like literally.