Read the poem.

Question

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.

Read this line from "Song of the Open Road."

Healthy, free, the world before me,

What does the phrase "the world before me" mean in the poem?

Responses

The speaker has never seen the world's beauty.
The speaker has never seen the world's beauty.

The speaker feels the burden of carrying the world.
The speaker feels the burden of carrying the world.

The speaker feels ready to explore the world.
The speaker feels ready to explore the world.

The speaker wants to show others the world.

Answer 1

The phrase "the world before me" in the poem suggests that the speaker feels ready to explore the world. It conveys a sense of possibility and openness to new experiences, indicating that the speaker is eager to venture forth and encounter whatever life has to offer. Therefore, the most accurate response is:

The speaker feels ready to explore the world.