Read the poem.

Song of the Open Road

by Walt Whitman

Afoot and light-hearted, I take to the open road,
Healthy, free, the world before me,
The long brown path before me, leading wherever I choose.

Henceforth I ask not good-fortune—I myself am good-fortune;
Henceforth I whimper no more, postpone no more, need nothing,
Strong and content, I travel the open road. . . .

From this hour, freedom!
From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,
Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,
Listening to others, and considering well what they say,
Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating,
Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me.

I inhale great draughts of space;
The east and the west are mine, and the north and the south are mine.

I am larger, better than I thought;
I did not know I held so much goodness.

All seems beautiful to me;
I can repeat over to men and women, You have done such good to me, I would do the same to you.

I will recruit for myself and you as I go;
I will scatter myself among men and women as I go;
I will toss the new gladness and roughness among them;
Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me;
Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed, and shall bless me.

Question 1
Part A

What is a theme of "Song of the Open Road"?

Responses

Only when people are traveling can they truly prioritize the needs of others over their own needs.
Only when people are traveling can they truly prioritize the needs of others over their own needs.

Being rooted in one place doing everyday activities is better than wandering alone on the open road.
Being rooted in one place doing everyday activities is better than wandering alone on the open road.

Taking a vacation allows someone to spend meaningful time with friends and family.
Taking a vacation allows someone to spend meaningful time with friends and family.

Traveling is a freeing experience that allows for independence and self-reflection.
Traveling is a freeing experience that allows for independence and self-reflection.
Question 2
Part B - Points depend on a correct response in Part A.

Which two quotes from the poem best help Whitman develop the theme identified in Part A?

Responses

"I can repeat over to men and women, You have done such good to me, I would do the same to you."
"I can repeat over to men and women, You have done such good to me, I would do the same to you."

"From this hour, freedom! / From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,"
"From this hour, freedom! / From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,"

"Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, / Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me."
"Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, / Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me."

"I will recruit for myself and you as I go; / I will scatter myself among men and women as I go;"