Section+20

In sections twenty and twenty one, the speaker discusses human individuality in relation to nature. In section 20 of Whitman’s //Song of Myself,// the speaker's use of questions leads him to discover man's purpose in the world. He addresses not only himself but all of mankind as well, asking "What is a man anyhow? What am I? What are you?"(391). By questioning a broad subject such as humanity and then narrowing down the subject to readers, Whitman presents his ideas in a form of a dialogue. He also shares his own question of him, and wants the readers to ask themselves.This question originates from his uncertainty about each man's role in the world, and dictates that the speaker is still looking to find his purpose within mankind. His view towards the end of life is not pessimistic because he says "I do not snivel that snivel the world over", which means that he is not sad about death as others in the world are. The speaker thinks that people view deaths as “nothing...but threadbare crape, and tears” (386), but he has a different opinion than the majority of the people. Accepting fate, the speaker breaks traditional views of death for a more comforting approach. He is defiant, stating “I wear my hat as I please, indoors or out” (390), as well as “I do not trouble my spirit to vindicate itself or be understood” (405). The speaker's individuality is not restricted by society's traditions; his celebration of his self is not for others to understand, but for him to learn about himself. Acting independently of society's restrictions, he seeks only to be his unaltered self.

Another common theme in Walt Whitman's //Song of Myself,// is self-knowledge. In stanzas 406 to 409, the speaker begins each line with "I know" (406-09). Each of the statements that include "I know" describes the speaker. Saying "I know" shows the confidence Whitman has with himself. His confidence shows others that it is important to "be yourself", a common transcendental belief. In one of the lines that starts with "I know...", Whitman declares that he is "deathless" (406). Whitman says that he is deathless because he believes that life does not end, but is still continuing, another important transcendental thought. He is not pessimistic, but more optimistic, looking forward. In addition to his self-knowledge, the speaker notices that he can see himself through others in line 401. Later on in the 4th to last stanza of the section, the speaker says that he is "august", another meaning for majestic or grand (1017), saying that human beings are majestic and grand. Once he says this, the speaker contradicts himself, saying before in the section that he "does not snivel" like others, in a pompous tone (1016).

In section 20, Whitman encourages everyone to develop personal insights and opinions. “All I mark as my own you shall offset it with your own,/ Else it were time lost listening to me”(392-3). By stating that the readers need to develop individual ideas, the speaker concludes it is only important if the ideas mean something to the person. He believes that personal perspective offers deeper understanding of self discovery.

In section twenty of Walt Whitman's //Song of Myself//, the theme is inspiration of self as the sections above have mentioned. To be more specific, Whitman creates a casual tone in his writing by use of parentheses in the tweth stanza, "(I reckon I behave no prouder than the level i plant my house by, after all.)" (412). Using this tone, his writing has a innocent feel as if it were a conversation with the reader. He allows free thought and individual ideas to form by encouragement of dialogue also with the questions he asks. Whitman uses vague questioning to invite open ideas saying, "What is man anyhow? what am I? what are you?" (391). This direct approach is inviting and leads to deeper thought. Not only is his writing referring to individuals directly through his writing style but also, Whitman refers to himself referring to all that "are written to me, and I must get what the writing means" (405). Using himself as an example, he stresses the importance of personal opinion and individual growth hoping to instill this individualist view. Finally in the last lines of section twenty, Walt Whitman seperates himself from the rest of the world's inhabitants, knowing he goes against the opinions of many "laugh[ing] at what you call dissolution" (420). This ending restates and embraces his indivuduality especially by use of the second person. Whitman referrs to the ideas of others being seperated from his own and by even stating his personal reflections even in parentheses, he demonstraites his self confidence as a transcendentalist.

Whitman's theme of unity is apparant when he says "“in all people I see myself-none more, and not one a barleycorn less” (394). Even though he is only an individal, he values himself. He thinks that has as an equal importance as everyone else in the world. He says "the good or bad I say of myself, I say of them”(395). Since the speaker has common qualities with others, he is trying to represent all people.

Another theme is reject of traditional authority. When the speaker questions "Why should I venerate and be ceremonious?", he does not want to continue the traditions just because people tell him to do it. The speaker demonstrates that after his experiences in religion and science, he can not find “sweeter fat than” that which “sticks to my own bones” (393). The speaker accentuates his firm belief in himself over all other authorities, through this corporal image, thus rejecting the traditions of religion and science.

Whitman encourages others to challenge their actions and take authority of their own lives. By questioning traditional authorities, the speaker establishes a sense of individuality within himself and separation from other people. Early into the section, the speaker challenges, “what is a man anyhow?” (383) as there are multiple definitions of a man, the biological definition and the qualities that make someone a man, which tend to vary. Rather than accepting common views on what makes a man, Whitman asks himself, and rejecting society’s ideas, determines his beliefs. He does not state any reason why he should agree with society’s definition of a man as he sees it as a personal opinion. In response to his own question, the speaker declares that he does “not snivel that snivel the world over” (386). In answering himself, he asserts authority over himself as well. Before anyone can suggest he follow his or her own views, the speaker has grasped and declared his own thoughts on the subject. The speaker clarifies that he “wears his hat as he pleases inside or out,” (390) does what he wants without regard to what society tells him to do. Hats are an optional part of dress; people are not required to wear them at all times, but there are particular courtesies associated with them like taking them off when in a classroom or church. Regardless of these guidelines, the speaker will where his hat in a church service, or as the hat is representative of his beliefs, he will believe what he wants and express his thoughts wherever and whenever he decides to share them. By questioning everyday authorities and becoming their own leaders, people can better themselves, as they will be living by their beliefs.

At one point, Whitman questions, "How is it I extract strength from the beef I eat?" (379-380). This applies to man's relationship with nature and how he draws strength through his oneness with it. This quote also demonstrates how human obtains source of life and strength from nature. The speaker's strength drawn from nature is evident when he states, "I exist as I am—that is enough,"(406). The reason that existing as he is, is enough, is because he has grown strong from his connection and has confidence in himself. This also demonstrates the Transcendental idea about the importance and value of the individual. The speaker's bond with nature even makes him "deathless" (399) according to the idea that man lives on after death because of this bond.

In Section 20, Whitman identifies the idea that life is a never ending cycle, and all things within it are connected and surrounded by a universal force known as the Oversoul. This is a highly transcendental concept. When the speaker says, "And I know I am solid and sound" (395), he recognizes himself as a constant being, unobstructed by death. In another part of this section supporting a similar thought, the speaker says, "I know I am deathless;/ I know this orbit of mine cannot be swept by the carpenter's compass" (398-400). He is again nothing that his role in the universe and his lifeforce cannot be ended, even by death. The concept of an Oversoul can be seen when he says, "To me the converging objects of the universe perpetually flow"(396). He recognizes his connection to everything else in the universe. Saying that all objects in the universe forever flow, he is saying that there is a current of energyand force that runs throgh everything and connects everything, as does the oversoul. He is also noticing this inter-connectedness when he says, "In all people I see myself--none more, and not one a barleycorn less" (393). The word “barleycorn” symbolizes the lack of a minute difference between the speaker and others, illustrating their equality with the possession of common features. He is stating that he is a part of everyone, as everyone is a part of him, again recognizing the universal connection.

In Walt Whitman’s poem, //Song of Myself//, while section 20 expresses the unity amongst humankind through the perpetual existence of the soul, it chiefly stresses the value of individuality. The speaker initially establishes a mystical introspective tone, while questioning how he is able to “extract strength from the beef” he eats (381), illustrating his willingness to question nature’s principals for personal gain of knowledge. He is curious to know “What is a man, anyhow?” (383), portraying his individual character as he decides to question the components of nature that the society merely accepts without inquiry. The speaker sets out to answer these questions which he has established by illustrating humanity’s common features. He believes that “All I mark as my own, you shall offset it with your own” (384), because he wants all of humanity to seek for intuitive knowledge and ideas, rather than depend on those established by traditional authority. While accepting death, the speaker reveals the value of time associated with the continuation of life. He firmly states “I know I am deathless/…I know I shall not pass like a child’s carlacue cut with a burnt stick at night” (399,401). Using a simile to compare death with “a child’s carlacue” the speaker shows how the death of the physical body does not correspond to the immediate death of an individual’s life, as the soul continues to live on. In the last stanza, the speaker laughs “at what you call dissolution” for he knows “the amplitude of time” (413-4), mocking the idea of an individual’s complete departure at the time of death. Through his certainty of the expanse of time, the speaker reiterates his individual belief of the perpetual existence of the soul.

The structure present in Section 20 reveals a conversational aspect of the poem, forming a direct link between the author and his audience through the poem. The format of the stanzas being short and to the point creates an illusion of dialogue. Whitman is figuratively purposing his own ideas, revealing them to the audience; and the break between stanzas is the time set aside for the audience’s response to Whitman’s thinking. Whitman’s proposal of questions, such as “What is a man anyhow? what am I? what are you?” are instances in the poem where he is indirectly asking his audience their opinion (391). Through this, Whitman allows space for the audience to formulate their own assumptions and beliefs on the concepts they are being exposed to through his poem. The association between Whitman and his audience reveals something about the title “Song of Myself,” showing that the word myself does not only apply to Whitman but to all of humanity because we are all interconnected through over-soul.

The repetition present in this section enforces the idea of individuality. The repetition of the word “I” is meant to show that humans should be independent of one another and look to themselves for answers, not others. Also, due to Whitman’s transcendentalist values, he believes that nature provides and is the mother in ones life; which purposes that one should look to themselves for knowledge because humans are inherently good and embody the entirety of nature. These ideas are concluded in the final stanza, with the line “If no other in the world be aware I sit content,/ and if each and all be aware I sit content” (414-15) Thus, humans need to be content and supportive of themselves; because, when one lives in this manner, no one can impose on an individuals independence, beliefs, and what makes them truly happy.

The use of symbolism reveals information about one’s life, which can aid them in the future. The “bones” symbolize the physical, bodily aspect of life; and with it, the importance of the emotional, spiritual, and mental aspects of life are shown as being the “sweeter fat than sticks to my bones” (400). Thus, Whitman is saying that the physical aspects of life do not provide true happiness; rather, what dwells in the mind holds true power. This can be related to Whitman’s transcendentalist background, with the belief that one should reject society’s negative influences, look to nature for guidance, and that all people are inherently good. Second, the use of the word “compass” is used to declare that one does have control of their life, even if they can’t see it, and should guide their lives in a direction they wish to go in (407). The word preceding compass is “carpenter” and it further shows that one needs to build up ones life and map it out, as if they were carpenters. This symbol reveals the transcendentalist beliefs that all people are inherently good, knowing they have the potential to live just lives, and should reject society’s negative influences. Thus, symbolism is associated with transcendentalism because anyone can form their own personal meaning behind a symbol, as long as it has significance and can influence its creator. It also shows that other people's opinions and critisms are like fat on bones. Fat does not harm the fundamental sturcture of bones, but builds on to the structure. This illustrates Whitman's idea that individual thoughts and opinions are only going to add on to his ideas.