Section+47

This section begins with "I am the teacher of athetes" (1230) which can be seen as both motivational and self glorifying. The quote promotes self education over formal education, in the way that athletes are not taught by others; rather they learn from experiences and mistakes they make along the way. Also, the quote can be viewed as self glorifying, which is one thing that critics believe about Whitman. Such a belief qualifies Whitman to be viewed as an American writer because Americans are sometimes infamous for being arrogant and stuck up. Also, in section 47, the structure parallels the content. The section contains a lot of lists which is similar to the journey that the speaker is experiencing.

The student who most honors the speaker’s style is the one “who learns under it to destroy the teacher”(1233), showing the speaker’s belief for people to internalize formal education and make it their own, and then pursue self-learning. The speaker acknowledges that students must learn from others, and not be entirely self-educated, but still praises the student that formally learns so that he can eventually learn in an individual sense.

In the 3rd and 4th stanza of the section the speaker creates a feeling of intimacy between himself and the reader. The speaker “follow[s] you, whoever you are” and his words “itch at your ears till you understand them”(1242/3), showing the speakers persistence to convince the reader of his ideas. The speaker does “not say these things for a dollar”(1244), creating a persuasive tone, and more of reason for the reader to heed the words of the speaker. The speaker also “act[s] as the tongue of you”(1245), showing the connection the between the reader and speaker. This quote has a dictating element to it, as the speaker is almost forcing the reader to believe his words because the speaker is acting as the reader’s tongue.

The speaker justifiesf his ideas and commands to the audience by using the personification of objects and also with the assurance of true individuals. On one such occasion the speaker states "the maul, the oar, the hand-saw, second my words" (1044), personifying vital tools of life to second his words. Even though a tool such as a handsaw might not seem very valuable today, in the nineteenth century many people built their homes with them and no one would go against one. Also, each item has to do with being an individual, such as an oar which leads an individual through nature and personal experiences. Following this, the speaker lists a series of individuals who also justify his words for him. Such individuals as "the young mechanic" (1257), "the farm-boy" (1259), and the "fisherman and seamen" (1260) all agree with the speaker. Each of the individuals listed are people who make a living as being an individual such as the "fisherman and seamen" (1260) who are not only individuals in traiblazing through the ocean, but are also being individuals in nature, which is what the speaker praises.

To describe his ideals, Whitman places his own values adjacent to those he speaks against in the same line, representing the American struggle between following traditional European ideals and forming and maintaining a unique identity. Whitman’s speaker states that a boy becomes a man “not through derived power, but in his own righway, the speaker reflects an American trait which speaks against the British who once ruled his American land. As England’s monarchy followed a system of succession based solely on familial relations and not on experience in ruling, unqualified individuals came to power without substantial knowledge or skill to do so. The speaker’s reference compares this reference to “derived power” (1237) to his preferred method of gaining experience in order to display that power through self-education will result in maturity and advanced knowledge. As the speaker prefers “scars, and the beard, and faces pitted with small-pox, over all latherers” (1243-44), he exhibits his value of following nature’s path rather than becoming involved in the lavish lifestyles of culture. Wishing rather to be injured, diseased, and un-groomed as indications of an experience, the speaker shows that one must endure difficulties which may be faced in the natural world in order to rise as a unique and knowledgeable individual. He also loves the person who goes out into the world, and takes the chance of being hurt, in order to gain valuable experience. If one simply enjoys the luxuries society offers, he will have no marks or badges to display what he has learned, and will continue his life with no further knowledge than what he possessed prior to his effortless task. -Andreas

Whitman incorporates lines separately addressed to altering persons or objects in order to display the equality of all creations on the earth through their ability to assist in finding individuality. As “you” (1252), a “gnat” (1253), and a “maul, the oar, and the hand saw” agree with his words (1254) in the same stanza, the poet shows the idea that each aspect of life is equal and has the opportunity to assist in finding one’s individuality. As the “gnat is an explanation” (1253) of the speaker’s words, it shows that by living in nature, the simplest and smallest of organisms is able to find its own source of nourishment and is able to completely fend for itself despite its miniature size. In this way, it is individual and does not allow itself to be overwhelmed by the larger distracting forces of society. The personification of an inanimate hammer, oar, and saw is used to address the creative power of such items, for both a maul and a saw assist in the building or renovation of a structure to differ it from others while an oar is used while on a water-based journey. Just as they are used in building projects, these items prove to be representative of reconstructing one’s life to become unique. As the oar aids in guiding through a wide expanse of moving water, it assists in deciding which route to take in one’s life and displays the speaker’s views.