8
AssignmentLong Text

Walt Whitman’s "Song of Myself"

Question 8 • Common Core ELA 11 - ELA3011 CR

How do word choice and tone reveal the speaker’s voice in the poem? Use evidence from the text to support your answer.

Answer

Answer:

The speaker’s voice is joyful, confident, and inclusive. Words such as “celebrate” and “sing” have positive connotations and create an enthusiastic tone. The speaker directly addresses the reader in “what I assume you shall assume” and confidently declares that “every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you,” showing his belief in the connection and equality of all people.