Introduction Main body

The atmosphere is not a perfume, it has no taste of the distillation, it is odourless…
The sniff of green leaves and dry leaves and of the shore and dark color’d sea rocks and of hay in the barn….’

He uses this imagery to allow the reader to see, follow and delve into his feelings and to see the comparison between these feelings and the metaphors which he is using to express them. The use of detailed imagery allows the readers of this poem to in sync with the poet and pierce into the mind of the poet to see what he sees. It could be said that reading this poem makes a reader realise the essence of piercing into one’s self in order to view and appreciate the world around him or her. Certain phrases and words the whitman uses, gives it readers a sense of feeling

‘Light kisses’. ‘embraces’, reaching around of arms’
These things allow the readers to feel what the poet also feels. Walt Whitman uses extensive amounts of imagery in the poem in order to allow his surroundings take part in his own self. He makes the reader understand what is going on through the use of visual, tactile and auditory images to which they can easily relate.
Another interesting thing about this poem is the romantic style adopted. Just like the famous African/Nigerian poet Niyi Osundare, who is renowned for his prowess in the appreciation of nature and his immediate environment, Walt Whitman is also one with nature and it reflects in his poetry. In section 32, the poet persona expresses his desire to live amongst the animals.
‘I think I could turn and live with the animals; they are so placid and self contain’d. I stand and look at them long and long’
He presents a view of life where there is a close relationship between humanity (Man) and nature. What is very interesting is his ability to show and portray this connection with nature.
Throughout this series of poems, Whitman presents a view of life where humanity enjoys an incredibly close relationship with nature, so close, in fact, that even when he imagines himself dying in Section 52 he believs that this will not impact upon his own sense of identity, as the following quote describes:
I depart as air... I shake my white locks at the runaway sun,
I effuse my flesh in eddies and drift it in lacy jags.
I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,
If you want me again look for me under your bootsoles.
Even though death is described as a "departure" at the beginning of this quote, at the same time it is also described as a kind of mystical union with nature, as Whitman imagines "bequeathing" himself to the earth. Even though he will be dead, the final line of this quote presents a very clear sense of tangible identity that remains even after this "death." Romanticism is therefore present in one sense through this very clear union with nature that exists throughout these poems, and challenges accepted notions of man's relationship with the natural world around him and pushes the boundaries of that relationship.
Poem Themes. American Democracy. 'Song of Myself' was first published in 1855³. You'll remember from history class that this was a tumultuous period in America. A lot of things were looking great - the railroads were starting to connect people and goods from all around the country, commerce and technology were booming and new waves of immigration were bringing never-before-seen religious and ethnic diversity. At the same time, the country was already sharply divided on the issue of slavery, and the Civil War was looming. Like many people, Whitman was excited about what the U.S. could be - a place of freedom for all - and concerned about what was actually happening - a lot of injustice and internal division. 'Song of Myself' is part vision, part plea for a democratic society where all are equal.
Spirituality and Self-Knowledge. Whitman can get lost in the grandeur of space or the tiniest details on a blade of grass, and he meditates on these with a passion that feels deeply spiritual. His democratic vision of the inherent equality and goodness of all life is more than just a party line - it's a worldview in which he's deeply invested.