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
Read this line from "Song of the Open Road."
Henceforth I ask not good-fortune—I myself am good-fortune;
What does the phrase "I myself am good-fortune" mean in the poem?
Responses
The speaker searches for treasure.
The speaker searches for treasure.
The speaker wants his life to be important.
The speaker wants his life to be important.
The speaker expresses wishful thinking.
The speaker expresses wishful thinking.
The speaker is happy and carefree.
The speaker is happy and carefree.
1 answer
The phrase "I myself am good-fortune" in the poem reflects the idea that the speaker finds empowerment and fulfillment from within rather than relying on external circumstances or luck. It signifies a sense of self-reliance, asserting that happiness and success come from his own attitude and choices.
Therefore, the best response is:
The speaker is happy and carefree.
