Song of Myself : Quotations
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, and various study materials of Song of Myself.
Quotations
Quotes
“I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” (Section – 1)
Explanation: This line reflects the poet’s belief in the interconnectedness of all things, emphasizing unity and equality.
“Divine am I inside and out, and I make holy whatever I touch or am touch’d from;”(Section – 24)
Explanation: In this line, Whitman expresses a profound sense of self-worth and spiritual power. It suggests that divinity resides within him.
I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the grass I love,
If you want me again look for me under your boot-soles.” (Section – 52)
Explanation: This quote highlights the poet’s acceptance of death as part of the natural cycle of life and his belief in continuity beyond death.
“I loafe and invite my soul,
I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.” (Section – 1)
Explanation: Whitman reflects on relaxation, contemplation, and a deep connection with nature.
“I am large, I contain multitudes.” (Section – 51)
Explanation: A powerful statement about the complexity and vastness of the self, acknowledging contradictions and the multiplicity of human experience.
“I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul.” (Section – 21)
Explanation: Whitman declares the physical and the spiritual as equally important parts of the human experience.
“I have said that the soul is not more than the body,
And I have said that the body is not more than the soul.” (Section – 48)
Explanation: In this statement, Whitman asserts the equality and balance between the body and the soul. He rejects traditional notions that prioritize the soul over the body.
“Do I contradict myself?
Very well then I contradict myself.” (Section – 51)
Explanation: Whitman embraces the idea that human beings are complex and sometimes contradictory, which is natural.
“I exist as I am, that is enough.” (Section – 20)
Explanation: Whitman affirms self-acceptance and contentment with existence in the present moment.
“Failing to fetch me at first keep encouraged,
Missing me one place search another,
I stop somewhere waiting for you.” (Section – 52)
Explanation: This closing line reinforces Whitman’s belief in the enduring presence of the self, even after death.