38 pages 1 hour read

Walt Whitman

I Hear America Singing

Fiction | Poem | Adult | Published in 1860

A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.

Short Answer Questions: Possible Answers

1. America itself is personified in Whitman’s poem as a human who sings and celebrates. America sings its song reverently and nobly and celebrates success and growth with pride and vigor. Chicago itself is personified as a human as well, but in Chicago’s case, the man who is Chicago is “brawling,” “wicked,” “brutal,” and “cunning” (Lines 6-10). He too celebrates success and growth, but progress and construction come at the cost of “Wrecking” and “breaking” (Lines 15-17). Furthermore, his youthful, bold celebration is depicted as crasser and more irreverent than America’s, as the man “laughs […] half-naked, sweating, proud […]” (Line 23).

2. “I Hear America Singing” evokes a joyous, proud, dignified tone while “Chicago” offers a tone that is admiring and prideful, but grittier and blunter; importantly, with regard to Chicago’s vices or negative traits, the tone is also unremorseful. In reading Whitman’s poem aloud, you might draw out the long vowel sounds (e.g., “blithe” in Line 2, “leaves” in Line 4, “open” and “melodious” in Line 11). You might emphasize assonance (“varied carols” in Line 1, “hatter—stands” in Line 6) and alliterative effects (“wife at work” in Line 8). Overall, there is a quality of euphony (lines/sounds that are musically pleasant) to Whitman’s poem with a consistent rhythm that results from the list of singers in Lines 3-9.

blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
blurred text
Unlock IconUnlock all 38 pages of this Study Guide
Plus, gain access to 8,550+ more expert-written Study Guides.
Including features:
+ Mobile App
+ Printable PDF
+ Literary AI Tools