Poetry of Whitman Review

What is the most accurate conclusion that readers can draw from these lines in

the selection 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.

• Whitman believes that he is an epic hero.

• Whitman views humanity as an epic hero.

• Whitman has a great appreciation for science.

• Whitman thinks that he writes superior poetry.

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What is the “singing” that the speaker hears in “I Hear America Singing”?

• the language of different ethnic groups in the American melting pot

• the songs from foreign lands brought to America by immigrants

• the individuality of Americans in various walks of life

• the poetry of Whitman and other American poets

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What group of workers does Whitman focus on in “I Hear America Singing”?

• office clerks

• housewives

• musicians

• laborers

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Consider the details in the selection from “Song of Myself,” in “I Hear America

Singing,” and in “On the Beach at Night Alone.” What can you infer about

Whitman’s attitude toward other people? Choose two options.

• He greatly appreciates other people.

• He likes to control the people around him.

• He thinks that most people are very foolish.

• He does not enjoy being around other people.

• He believes that he has a connection to other people.

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In which circumstance is it most accurate to describe a harvest as prolific?

• when insects have destroyed the crops

• when there is an especially abundant output

• when enough laborers are available to collect it

• when most of the seeds in the ground produce plants

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If a person witnesses multitudes, which of the following must be true? Base

your answer on the meaning of multitudes.

• An amazingly emotional experience has begun.

• An unusually shocking event has transpired.

• An incredibly beautiful scene has occurred.

• An extremely large crowd has gathered.

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If a city street can correctly be described as teeming, which of the following

must be true? Base your answer on the meaning of teeming.

• It is covered in snow.

• It is swarming with people.

• It has traffic going both ways.

• It is in desperate need of repair.

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In the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, Whitman states, “The

United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem.” What does he cite

to support his opinion?

"The Americans of all nations at any time upon the earth have probably the fullest poetical nature. The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem. In the history of the earth hitherto the largest and most stirring appear tame and orderly to their ampler largeness and stir."

• the rhythmic speech patterns of Americans

• Americans’ respect for literary traditions

• his own popularity as an American poet

• the vitality and diversity of Americans

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Based on the following passage from the preface to the 1855 edition of Leaves

of Grass, identify what is most clearly suggested about Whitman’s attitude

toward the past.

America does not repel the past or what it has produced under its forms or amid

other politics or the idea of castes or the old religions … accepts the lesson with

calmness … is not so impatient as has been supposed that the slough still sticks to

opinions and manners and literature while the life which served its requirements has

passed into the new life of the new forms….

• Whitman recognizes that Americans learn from the past while making a

  new way of life.

• Whitman thinks that Americans should include a study of the past in their

  education.

• Whitman wishes that Americans would give more honor to traditions of

  the past.

• Whitman believes that Americans have nothing to learn from the past.

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What does the speaker in the selection from “Song of Myself” mean

when he says that he holds “Creeds and schools in abeyance”?

• He believes in the value of religious education.

• He has temporarily let go of traditional teachings.

• He is opposed to any type of formal education.

• He thinks that Americans of all creeds should attend school.

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