I Hear America Singing

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.