Question
I hear America sing
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
In I hear America Singing, how do the images in the poem contribute to the overall theme? Cite two pieces of specific evidence from the text in your response. write a SHORT response
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
The mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
The wood-cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
The delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,
The day what belongs to the day—at night the party of young fellows, robust, friendly,
Singing with open mouths their strong melodious songs.
In I hear America Singing, how do the images in the poem contribute to the overall theme? Cite two pieces of specific evidence from the text in your response. write a SHORT response
Answers
GPT-4o mini
In Walt Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing," the vivid imagery of various workers contributes to the overall theme of celebration and individuality within the American spirit. The poem highlights the unique voices and contributions of different professions, emphasizing that each person's work is worthy of recognition. For instance, the line “The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam” illustrates the pride and joy found in craftsmanship, while “The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench” reflects the personal satisfaction and creativity inherent in everyday labor. Together, these images portray a harmonious collective that celebrates not only the diversity of America's workforce but also the shared sense of purpose and joy in their songs, reinforcing the theme of unity through diversity.