Song of Myself, by Walt Whitman (Analysis & Interpretation)

Nick Courtright is the Executive Editor of Atmosphere Press, an author-friendly publisher, and an acclaimed English professor. Learn more at atmospherepress.com, and nickcourtright.com!

[@lawrenceward2366]

Thank you for this. I am 63 years old and have spent my life working and providing. I now want to dedicate my time to experiencing and appreciating the artistic expression that has been at my finger tips always. Thank you for helping me.

[@aviewerman]

You're a passionate and a very capable individual. You have my compliments and my best wishes.

[@atmospherepress]

+iAMaViewerman Thanks for the compliment! If you ever need help with an interpretation or your writing, feel free to enlist my services at editygroup.com/academic!

[@mscrunchy68]

To me he reads as someone having undergone a psychedelic mind-expanding experience - the letting go of ego and the sense of connectedness. The sense of awe and of kindness is immensely comforting. I like to listen to it being read aloud. Just wonderful.

[@gpn962]

Thanks! This was exactly the summary I needed. You gave both a good overview and closer reading of enough of the sections for me to have a sense of this poem. I'll be rereading it soon, hopefully it'll come together now.

[@colehudson9199]

This is absolutely amazing! Thanks!

[@edmundankomah9007]

Very enlightening discussion of the text Mr. Courtight. I am currently studying this poem at the University of Ghana for my Master of Philosophy thesis. My topic is "Echoes of Emerson in Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself"' and I would be very grateful, if you could help me with links to books, articles, pdfs, videos (like these) etc. Hoping to hear from you soon. Thanks Mr. Courtright

[@jugglersantini5569]

I've loved Whitman since first discovering 'Spindrift' 40 years ago. I've read 'Song .. " many times and never understood it. Struggling with it yet again, I found this reading and I got it. So much so it reduced me to tears, as if I don't want to read poetry anymore. It must be heard. And if it must be heard we must hear it. And if we must hear it, we need to hear a reading such as this magnificent version. Thank you.

[@violinbuff3782]

My Dear Mom adored Whitman! I appreciate your deep understanding.

[@ARM_DM]

Outstanding!

[@jeremyramirez5465]

Loved this so much

[@ChristineGPadua]

Walt Whitman is my favorite writer...thank you for this great video!

[@prisonersofspacetime6304]

Christine Padua-Lopez Si

[@johnfritz2310]

Thank you so much needed this

[@011mph]

Thanks for this! It was so helpful for me.

[@trinityehaynes]

Thank you so much this was so helpful fo my understanding of this poem!

[@_leo4124]

thanks nick. this vid.is truly helpful!!!!

[@laurachambers1493]

You're very smart!

[@mievla]

Thank you so much for explaining this!

[@atmospherepress]

+Michelle Everest You're welcome! If you ever need help with an interpretation or a paper, feel free to enlist my services at editygroup.com/academic!

[@callandriello]

I enjoyed your interpretation of this poem. Thank you so much .

[@atmospherepress]

+Frank Calandriello Thanks for the compliment! If you ever need help with an interpretation or a paper, feel free to enlist my services at editygroup.com/academic!

[@faolair3320]

I'm a little less confused now but still very very confused ^^'

[@bredamaune2028]

A very interesting video. Thank you.

[@MirinkaRicanova]

All your videos are great! thanks a lot!

[@atmospherepress]

+Miriam Říčanová Thanks for the compliment! If you ever need help with an interpretation or a paper, feel free to enlist my services at editygroup.com/academic!

[@juljanabarjami4093]

very helpful thanks a lot from albania

[@swiggitysarah]

Thank you so much for a straightforward analysis! This really helped!

[@atmospherepress]

Glad it was helpful!

[@x0hMyL0ve]

Thank you so much!!!

[@atmospherepress]

+bomsora You're welcome! If you ever need help with an interpretation or a paper, feel free to enlist my services at editygroup.com/academic!

[@melissabishop2119]

Thanks! great video

[@marthajf73]

Professor, turn up the volume. Good job, by the way.

[@pavelczenski5908]

good summary, but can we do something about the super loud page flipping around 2:15?

[@miriamalonso3959]

Enjoy your presentations but volume to low. If possible adjust

[@ruby-kz9oi]

ooohhhh myyyyy goooooosshhh you look like shaggy! but waaayy smarter I can't believe it

[@hiyorioh]

Lol

[@chrystlemarie9100]

Ha. Look who I found. Do you have an audio of you reading this? :)

[@atmospherepress]

Hahaha it took me a second to place you! I don't have audio of me reading this...just these ancient videos...so much has changed!

[@tilwondeathy7402]

im seventeen and failing high school.

[@tilwondeathy7402]

I searched how to read song of myself the right way. thanx for the video. it was helpful.

[@jpexez8084]

How are you doing now ?

[@ChuckTheHuman]

Y’all fucking love words

[@valeriehade7343]

aliens becoming concoon first step on earth

[@simij7350]

I disagree on one thing. In the end I believe he might that he sees and 'beholds' God in every object. Not that they're God or He is residing in them. In the same fashion, the bible is says that mankind has no excuse for not acknowledging God because it is clear that he exists just by beholding his creation (i.e the sky, blades of grass ;) )

[@verifymyageful]

+Simi J You aren't disagreeing on one thing, then. That is the very nature of the poem. If you re-read it, I think you will find it clear that Whitman is stating that God is in everything. Your interpretation seems to be filtered through your beliefs.

[@simij7350]

***** That's just what it seems like he meant. I'm not forcing it to mean anything, that's just the way I felt the writing came across. I also didn't say those were my beliefs and your response is quite dismissive.

[@verifymyageful]

Simi J What does any of it mean to you then? "And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you." Is one of the first verses and there are many others. In the context of the transcendentalist movement and Emerson's praise of Whitman, it seems quite straight-forward, but I am sorry if I am being a bit of a prick.

[@simij7350]

No worries

[@amitraito9140]

bruh.i want its summary in subtitles. .can u do that??

[@randomcommentor4222]

INB4 this becomes a meme.

[@randomcommentor4222]

like if you agree

[@randomcommentor4222]

reported

[@randomcommentor4222]

you mad?

[@detradg]

Will you and your brain marry me?