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
Visiting a historical site makes historical events come alive.
Visiting a historical site makes historical events come alive.
Traveling to a national landmark connects people to others.
Traveling to a national landmark connects people to others.
An excursion to a famous location allows someone to be around others.
An excursion to a famous location allows someone to be around others.
A trip can enable people to feel free to examine who they really are.
A trip can enable people to feel free to examine who they really are.
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
"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,"
"Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,"
"Going where I list, my own master, total and absolute,"
"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."
"I will recruit for myself and you as I go; / I will scatter myself among men and women as I go;"
"I will recruit for myself and you as I go; / I will scatter myself among men and women as I go;"
1 answer
Question 1, Part A:
The theme of "Song of the Open Road" is best captured by the response:
A trip can enable people to feel free to examine who they really are.
Question 2, Part B:
The two quotes from the poem that best help Whitman develop this theme are:
"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,"
These quotes emphasize the idea of personal freedom and self-discovery that comes from embarking on a journey.
1 answer