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Essay / Emphatic structure in I Hear America Singing
What is the American dream? It is not just a set of individual goals but the concept that every citizen has the opportunity to succeed. The poem “I Hear America Singing” is a joyous reflection of the many workers who work to achieve the ultimate American dream. It is a celebration of life and the many diverse people who build America and discover happiness in their daily lives. Walt Whitman depicts an emphatic writing style through the use of powerful figurative language and unique sentence structure to demonstrate productivity and satisfaction in the American lifestyle. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an Original Essay In this particular article, Whitman highlights the value of workers by implementing various literary techniques. An important poetic device used in the poem is the dominant metaphor: "I hear America singing." A metaphor is a figure of speech in which two distinct objects are compared, often by substitution or identification of one another. This metaphor unifies and guides the entire poem by exaggerating the subject from the beginning to reveal how admirable it is to see and hear America at work. The word "America" on the first line represents individual Americans, specifically workers. This distinction is crucial because the rest of the poem builds on this metaphor by offering examples of different individuals in their professions. Additionally, the word “sing” appears eleven times in the eleven lines of free verse. This word is used figuratively to reflect joy and pride in each circumstance. It brings together all the diverse groups with their own song, like a universal language. The emphatic writing style is used to express strong emotion through emphasis of words and repetition. In this case, the controlling metaphor and repetition of "singing" exaggerates Whitman's joy in seeing everyone working toward a common goal, creating a better future. Comment by Diane Van Yuga: Comment by Diane Van Yuga: Additionally, Whitman uses a free verse structure rather than using formal poetry rules. Free verse means that the poem does not have a specific arrangement or patterns of rhythm and meter. By writing this poem smoothly, Whitman is able to create flow throughout the work. The structure of this poem is particularly unique because it consists of one stanza segmented into 11 different lines. Each segment was formatted similarly, as many begin with the word "the" and contain phrases that indicate either "as he..." or "on his way to...". Additionally, only one work is mentioned per line at the beginning but, as the poem continues, more have been added to each section. The unification and similar sentence format across distinct professions produces a singular voice in America. This depicts an emphatic writing style because Whitman expresses his belief in American nationalism through the connection of various professions. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay In conclusion, through the use of With an emphatic structure, Whitman creates the message that everyone has their own “melody” to achieve their American dream. By focusing on the political and economic aspects of American life, the entire country is connected as one unit. Whitman's emphasis on the dynamic power of the nation allows readers to recognize possible achievements..