In the poem “Song of Myself,” Walt Whitman reflects on the themes of death, change, equality, and happiness.
Whitman was an optimist who believed that even when people were bad, they could change for the better. In “Song of Myself,” he writes: “I am large, I contain multitudes.” This line shows his belief that all people have good inside them—we just have to look hard enough to find it!
He also believed that death is a natural part of life and should be accepted as such. He writes in “Song of Myself”: “Do you think it would be wonderful if you were never told what anyone was going to say next?” This line shows how Whitman viewed death as merely a transition from one state into another.
Whitman also believed in equality among all people—even those who were considered outcasts or criminals could be redeemed through hard work and acceptance into society. In “Song of Myself,” he writes: “My ties and ballasts leave me” to describe how he feels when he no longer cares about what others think about him; instead, he focuses on what makes him happy (which is often being alone).
