Compare and Contrast Text & Context Midterm Paper

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Compare and Contrast Essay
"To know thyself is the beginning of wisdom." This quote is frequently attributed to Socrates, but how you are going to know yourself. Is there any distinctive way? In Song of Myself, Walt Whitman is found claiming that individual identity is temporary but transcendent. This poem was first published in 1855 as part of the twelve untitled poems in an edition of Leaves of Grass. Walt Whitman published the first edition at his own expense. In 1867, when its fourth edition was released, the poem was divided into 52 sections, and finally, its title was changed to Song of Life in the last edition (1892). The tone of this poem is mystical and joyous (Leonard 24). Walt Whitman is of the view that the cycle of life is constant, and it renews itself automatically, meaning some people are born, and the others die at their particular times. Conquering death is not possible for anyone, and if every person accepts the truth, he will not have to face problems when he reaches his old-age. Instead, he will develop a sense of victory and may live his life successfully, considering every moment to be the last.
Song of Myself consists of various modulations of tone as it moves toward its climax. In order to give the poem a comprehensive and useful look, the writer connects different stanzas in a specific way while taking care of the emotions and feelings of the reader. It is safe to say that Song of Myself is free verse, poetry without any meter or rhyme. It looks like free verse was the perfect way for Walt Whitman to explore the theme of identity. There is no set way to fully summarize and analyze the poem as Walt changes the topic in almost every line. For example, he begins the poem by saying “I celebrate myself, and sing myself” (Leonard 25), which indicates that he is happy and wants to celebrate the life all alone. He does not need anyone to be with in order to get the best out of his life. The very next moment, he says “for every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you” (Leonard 27), which depicts that he is associating his good moments and joys of life with someone else. Maybe, Walt Whitman is dependent on others for his happiness. He then invites his soul to hang out and state at a blade of grass and explains that he loves the world wants to be here permanently. However, he knows that his soul will one day leave the body. Whiteman invites it to feel the bitterness of death, claiming that the soul is not as brave as the body as it does not have to die.
As he is alive at this moment, Walt Whitman wants to spend some time with nature. Everything is good to him, and he refuses to accept his defeat at every stage of his life. Instead, the poet says that nature has some specific patterns that fit together to make us feel happy or unhappy. Being unhappy does not mean we should end our lives or should not look forward. It only means we should wait for the right time to come, and be patient in all uncertain situations. The speaker dares to talk about his love for nature and himself. “The atmosphere is not a perfume -- it has no taste of the distillation -- it is odorless. It is for my mouth forever -- I am in love with it. I will go to the...