Shannon Beiser Lit 331-w2012 Professor John Gosney

6 February 2012

Whitman's America Although not a single chapter of Whitman's poem Song of Myself spoke specifially to the identity of America, chapter 20 could be used to make an analogy with America's history. Each stanza of this section seems to be in an order that could be related to general mindset of America during a major event in its historical story. Most likely this was not done purposefully but it seems that any story of discovery and identity development tends to follow a similar path. Perhaps this was a time in Mr. Whitman's life when he was struggling with these same issues. Who goes there? (1024 Baym) As the first settlers in America set foot on the then uncharted soil of the New World can you imagine their sense of uncertainty? Of course, being European, it was mixed in with a healthy dose of cockiness but also being human there had to be an overwhelming fear of failure because failure most likely meant death. The questions that must have run through their mind as they made the journey across the sea to their new home must have been similar to those asked by Whitman in his first two stanzas. Questioning everything about their lives, their decision to leave their homes and make new ones. These all must have weighed heavily on their minds. The formation of any new journey, investigation, idea, or identity always starts with questioning what is. Then, to take the next step in the journey, they must seek the answers to those questions and find ones place. All I ... wallow and filth. (1024 Baym) It must have been so hard. Even back in England the settlers had something of convenience, whether it be a bathroom that was more than a hole dug in the dirt or food to trade at the market. In the New World they had to do and make EVERYTHING for themselves, there was nothing to barter, trade, buy. This showed tremendous courage. But the cocky side of the European settlers considered all on their new land 'theirs' and they took what they wanted. They took from the land which they claimed as their own and they took from the natives that were already living there. There was not even a thought that it might be used by or belong to someone else. This cocky attitude combined with some good

minds will later fuel the revolution that is to come. Whimpering and truckling... no sweater fat that that which sticks to my bones. (2025 Baym) This is the period of revolution that must be along the path of identity formation and certainly was a big part of America's identity. Not only is revolution risky and scary, but it is also a necessary to separate from what one has always known to become an entity all your own. This stanza questions why one should pay homage to the rules of society. It is part of creating a sense of self-reliance to create the rules that you will follow. I know I am sound and solid... (2025 Baym) The revolution is won. We are now an individual, but what is that going to mean. The country, like anyone who has come out on the positive side of a revolution, has a sense of strength, pride, and duty. It must be decided what we are going to stand for and what we are going to become. The ideas that were going to lay the ground work for what America is today were laid out in the Constitution of the United States. Although many people now a days do not do this, it could be compared to writing in a journal what a person's life plan is and what they want to become. After a while some Americans did not like the hypocrisy they were witnessing in the treatment of African Americans, woman, and children. The phrase all men were created equal that America was based on was not being practiced in society. Whitman states, I do not trouble my spirit to vindicate itself or be understood, I see that he elementary laws never apologize. The elementary law being that all men are equal and Whitman stating that his conscience is clear because he treats all equally. He practiced what he preached in real life as well advocating against slavery. Eventually there was an internal revolution or struggle in America that lead to these values being more firmly ingrained in society; the slaves were freed, the woman were given the right to vote, and the children were protected against overwork and required to go to school in some cases. This progression of ideas of what were thoughts an ideas being put into practice or made 'truth' is another stop on the journey of identity formation. That is, at least according to Emerson who believed that knowledge without action was not embracing the truth of what one knew. Truth. Does a person ever reach or discover their 'true' identity? Most likely not. Identity is not a static concept but an evolving one. I exist as I am, that is enough..... I know the amplitude of time. (2025 Baym) Identity is ever changing as we have witnessed in the evolution of what America is and who Americans are. The idea that the formation of identity is a journey that can be related to Mr. Whitman's poem allows us to see the journey that has taken place and the story that is being told from a slightly different perspective, although essentially the same format is followed. Question, be brave, revolt, discover, 'know', change... these are all steps on the path to creating ones identity, whether a person or a country.

Citations

Baym, Nina. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. 7th. New York, NY: W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., 2008. Print.