AnswersFL-1001370-English 3 AAnalyzing Central Ideas in a Speech

Walt Whitman’s "Song of Myself" Answers

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How do the images of travel in part 46 of "Song of Myself" contribute to the poem’s theme?

T
They suggest that human life is impermanent.
T
They show that growth involves a steady movement forward.
T
They remind readers that the poem is about journeying within one’s self.
T
They suggest expansiveness, or extending one’s reach outward.
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Which characteristic makes "Song of Myself" a free verse poem?

t
the presence of a strong theme
t
the absence of a consistent rhythmic structure
t
the use of images from nature and everyday life
t
the presence of a definite voice
3

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I too am not a bit tamed, I too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the world.Which statement best describes how these lines reflect the general structure of the poem?

A
Just as the poem has a loose, open structure, these lines display personal freedom.
B
The lines reflect the difficult and impenetrable nature of certain parts of the poem.
C
The lines evoke the aggressive tones expressed elsewhere in the poem.
D
The lines indicate an attention to urban settings expressed elsewhere in the poem.
4

The sections of "Song of Myself" approach one subject from several different angles. How does this technique reflect the main theme of the poem?

A
It shows the complicated nature of the world.
B
It indicates the need for one to think deeply about one’s flaws.
C
It corresponds to the idea that the self is all-encompassing.
D
It supports the notion of concern for one’s friends and family.
5

best

T
They represent the order of events in a long narrative.
T
They show unique sides of a universal worldview.
T
They reveal opposing sides of an ongoing argument.
T
They suggest that the poem has more than one speaker.
6

For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.

I
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that every parcel of the Earth belongs to everyone.
I
It suggests that the narrator values science over spirituality.
I
It emphasizes the narrator’s belief that people should give away all of their belongings.
I
It suggests that the narrator values nature over material objects.
7

It is not far, it is within reach,Perhaps you have been on it since you were born and did not know,Perhaps it is everywhere on water and on land.Shoulder your duds dear son, and I will mine, and let us hasten forth,

t
that Whitman does not have a distinctive style as a poet
t
that Whitman’s style allows for various kinds of language
t
that Whitman is comfortable using traditional styles of poetry
t
that Whitman’s style conforms to age-old rules of poetry
8

Which of the following statements best describes the effect of the long lines in "Song of Myself"?

A
They remind the reader of the speaker’s liberty and self-confidence.
B
They allow the poet to describe scenes in less detail.
C
They slow down the forward progression of the poem.
D
They increase the narrative quality of the poem.
9

Long enough have you dream’d contemptible dreams,Now I wash the gum from your eyes,You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life.Long have you timidly waded holding a plank by the shore,Now I will you to be a bold swimmer,To jump off in the midst of the sea, rise again, nod to me, shout, and laughingly dash with your hair.

P
People should be brave, take risks, and embrace all aspects of life.
P
People should be careful when taking chances that they can handle the outcome.
P
People should take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them each day.
P
People should be lighthearted and carefree and avoid taking life too seriously.
10

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."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.How do the words “eddies” and “drift” affect the tone of the second line?

A
They give the line a distanced tone.
B
They give the actions described a feeling of importance.
C
They make it difficult to comprehend the line’s meaning.
D
They create a sense of movement.
11

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I loafe and invite my soul, I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.How do these lines reflect the poet’s general style?

A
They show the poet’s love of highly ornate language.
B
They reveal a formal, historical interpretation.
C
They show the poem’s relaxed, candid tone.
D
They reveal natural processes in painstaking detail.
12

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."It is not far, it is within reach,Perhaps you have been on it since you were born and did not know,Perhaps it is everywhere on water and on land.Shoulder your duds dear son, and I will mine, and let us hasten forth,Wonderful cities and free nations we shall fetch as we go.In this quotation, the first stanza has a different style from the second section. What does this suggest about Whitman’s overall style in the poem?

A
that Whitman does not have a distinctive style as a poet
B
that Whitman’s style allows for various kinds of language
C
that Whitman is comfortable using traditional styles of poetry
D
that Whitman’s style conforms to age-old rules of poetry
13

What is the most likely reason the author chose a free verse structure for "Song of Myself"?

A
Free verse suited the poet’s mood when he was writing the poem.
B
The poet had an obvious aversion to rhyme and meter.
C
A more open structure is often easier to manage than a formal one.
D
Free verse allowed for the expression of expansive ideas.
14

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."You will hardly know who I am or what I mean, But I shall be good health to you nevertheless, And filter and fibre your blood.Why does Whitman use such a simple phrase as “who I am or what I mean”?

A
He is concerned that readers won’t understand his poem.
B
He wants to communicate directly with readers.
C
He is unable to express his thoughts in any other style.
D
He wants to vary the language of the poem.
15

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I know I have the best of time and space, and was never measured and never will be measured.How does this line support the theme of the poem?

A
It reflects Whitman’s exceedingly high opinion of himself.
B
It shows Whitman’s love of life and of experience.
C
It indicates Whitman’s perception that he is above others’ judgment.
D
It reflects Whitman’s ideas about the unlimited capacity of the self.
16

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I tramp a perpetual journey, (come listen all!)How does the word “tramp” affect the tone of this line?

A
It makes the tone of the line vaguely humorous.
B
It creates a tone of arrogance within the line.
C
It suggests the determination of the speaker.
D
It indicates the weariness of the speaker.
17

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you. Which statement best explains why Whitman chose the phrase “every atom” for the last line?

A
to emphasize the seriousness of his words
B
to suggest attention to detail, heightening trustworthiness
C
to remind readers to remember the basic makeup of natural objects
D
to remind readers to embrace a microscopic view of the natural world
18

Which statement best describes the theme of "Song of Myself"?

A
There is room for many experiences and, indeed, selves within one self.
B
Everyone should try as hard as they can to free their spirits and minds.
C
Close observation of the world is the key to understanding it.
D
Belief in one’s self should be the ultimate goal of one’s life.
19

Read the excerpt from "Song of Myself."Long enough have you dream’d contemptible dreams,Now I wash the gum from your eyes,You must habit yourself to the dazzle of the light and of every moment of your life.Long have you timidly waded holding a plank by the shore,Now I will you to be a bold swimmer,To jump off in the midst of the sea, rise again, nod to me, shout, and laughingly dash with your hair.What theme is suggested by this excerpt?

A
People should be brave, take risks, and embrace all aspects of life.
B
People should be careful when taking chances that they can handle the outcome.
C
People should take the time to appreciate the beauty that surrounds them each day.
D
People should be lighthearted and carefree and avoid taking life too seriously.
20

Read the quotation from "Song of Myself."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.How do the words “eddies” and “drift” affect the tone of the second line?

A
They give the line a distanced tone.
B
They give the actions described a feeling of importance.
C
They make it difficult to comprehend the line’s meaning.
D
They create a sense of movement.

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