How does Whitman give equal importance to both body and soul in ‘Song of Myself’?
Song of Myself is a notable literary work by Walt Whitman. A complete discussion of this literary work is given, which will help you enhance your literary skills and prepare for the exam. Read the Main texts, Key info, Summary, Themes, Characters, Literary devices, Quotations, Notes, to various questions of Song of Myself.
Answer
How does Whitman give equal importance to both body and soul in ‘Song of Myself’?
Walt Whitman’s (1819-92) “Song of Myself” is a celebration of the self and an exploration of the relationship between the body and the soul. Throughout the poem, Whitman gives equal importance to both body and soul.
Exploration of Self: In the opening lines of the poem, Whitman declares that.
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,”
Here, we find his exploration of the self. He describes his physical body in vivid detail. Then, he celebrates its beauty and its capacity for pleasure. However, he does not stop there. Whitman also explores the spiritual aspect of the self. He discusses the soul and its connection to the world around us.
Connections Between the Body and the Soul: Throughout the poem, Whitman draws connections between the body and the soul. He emphasizes that they are not separated but rather interconnected parts of a whole. For example, he describes the soul as
“I believe in you my soul, the other I am,”
This suggests that the body and the soul are like two perfectly equal and harmonious halves.
Whitman also explores the relationship between the self and the natural world. He shows the interconnectedness of all things. He celebrates the beauty of the natural world.
Whitman’s “Song of Myself” gives equal importance to both the body and the soul. It shows the interconnectedness of these aspects of the human experience. Through his exploration of the self and the natural world, he suggests that the body and the soul are not separated but interconnected in ways that are both mysterious and beautiful.