The English Concentration 
in the Liberal Studies Degree 

1. Analyze the Introduction of the poem (Sections 1-7;  Lines 1-139);  in this introduction, Whitman suggests that he will take the reader on a journey  in order to heal the illness of the nation (consider what we have discussed in relation to individuality/community).  We will discuss this in class, but for your reading of this first part, consider the following things:  

• In his description, he refers to many Emersonian images to describe this journey (look especially at lines 25-46); 
• Consider the role of the narrator/poet (consider what Emerson says about the poet);  find passages that describe the unique gifts of the narrator/poet; 
• Consider the importance of both the physical and the spiritual (the soul) and the way in which the interaction of the two leads to a transcendental experience (lines 73-89). 

2.  Analyze the Middle section of the poem (Sections 8-43;  Lines 140-1132);  in this middle section the narrator/poet goes into a trance or visionary state where he unites with all of the individuals and heals them.  

• Find one section that provides long lists of individuals and consider why Whitman provides these lists; 
• Look at Lines 684-93 and 702-14;  consider the importance of animal imagery and the relation between the physical and the spiritual in this passage. 
• Lines 933-73 Describe the climax of the narrator/poet’s vision, where he has a hard time maintaining his vision and where he ultimately comes out of his vision;  what happens as he comes out of the vision? 

3. Analyze the Concluding section of the poem (Sections 44-52; Lines 1133-end);  consider, here, the relation of the narrator/poet to the individual reader, especially in relation to the journey motif.