Test The American Voice

I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman In this poem, Whitman honors the American work ethic. He describes how the voices of individual citizens come together in unison to represent the pride and joy Americans take in their work. At the same time, this blend of different voices into one is symbolic of American patriotism. 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 deckhand singing on the steamboat deck, The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands, The wood-cutterʼs song, the ploughboyʼs on his way in the morning, 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. For You O Democracy by Walt Whitman In this poem, Whitman celebrates Americaʼs infinite possibility as new nation. Whitman weaves imagery of the American landscape with ideals like unity, harmony, and patriotism. Come, I will make the continent indissoluble, I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon, I will make divine magnetic lands, With the love of comrades, With the life-long love of comrades. I will plant companionship thick as trees along all the rivers of America, and along the shores of the great lakes, and all over the prairies, I will make inseparable cities with their arms about each otherʼs necks, By the love of comrades, By the manly love of comrades. For you these from me, O Democracy, to serve you ma femme! For you, for you I am trilling these songs. Respond to the prompt. Consider the topics Whitman addresses in the two poems. What topics do the poems have in common? How does Whitman develop these shared topics in the poems? Use evidence from the poems to support your answer. Type your answer here. - In the poem < I hear America singing= and < For you O Democracy,= the common topics that have been addressed by Whitman are listed below: < 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.= In < I hear America singing,= the poem's theme is that each person has a special task that must be completed for both their personal dignity and the benefit of society as a whole. Each person plays a vital role in American culture, and their efforts ought to be recognized. He also elaborates on those ideas by outlining how the working class as a whole that creates a powerful and cohesive nation. The country is free and unbreakable because of its presence and labor. < Come, I will make the continent indissoluble, I will make the most splendid race the sun ever shone upon, I will make divine magnetic lands, With the love of comrades, With the life-long love of comrades.= In < For you O Democracy,= the poem's themes are democracy, patriotism, optimism, and strong relationships. It is a want to build and achieve an idealized America and a sense of patriotism to do what is best for the nation. The poem illustrates the notion of democracy as a way of life rather than merely a political system. He claims that only with the support and affection of his allies would he be able to realize his ambition. Conclusion: Whitman develops these themes by developing the idea of one nation union and promoting freedom and patriotism. In the poem < For you O Democracy.= and < I hear America singing.=, the speaker mainly spread the importance of democracy and patriotism. The poem emphasizes the value of having a free and unified nation where everyone shares a common love of freedom.