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Analysis and comments on O Me! O Life! by Walt Whitman

1 [2]

Comment 6 of 16, added on June 16th, 2005 at 11:56 PM.

I agree with Dori and I would like to add that to contribute a verse to the
powerful play does not have to be a lengthy nor complicated verse, just so
long as it isn't repetitive of past verses.

Matt from United States
Comment 5 of 16, added on May 25th, 2005 at 11:32 PM.

What I get out of this is that he is not talking about a good life or a bad
life, just LIFE. That we all have a part to play in this big play called
LIFE. And even when we think that in looking at the big of things, that we
make no difference, we are wrong in thinking that. Because just to be here
and have LIFE is the biggest part of all. You are you, and that is what is
important

Dori from United States
Comment 4 of 16, added on May 21st, 2005 at 9:37 PM.

In my view, the poem descibes both positive and negative respects of human
being's life. Both of them exist and the question is that which one we
prefer to believe in. Some time I think the answer or reply of "who am I"
is not "I am who" but "who am I want to be". haha!!! I can contribute a
verse of both the great powerful paly and my own poem.

Ding yao Bi from China
Comment 3 of 16, added on March 26th, 2005 at 9:52 PM.

The poem brings a very interesting thought. Life will always bring
undesired experiences, it is up to us if we will let it win and defeat us.
We cannot just go around being misserable and thinking about how life gave
us a kick on the ass, we have to try to make it better; because at the end
the answer is that it is on our hands, we have the power to change our life
for better or for worst.

Adriana from Costa Rica
Comment 2 of 16, added on February 8th, 2005 at 9:09 PM.

The poem an a very abrupt and dramatic change. I think the diffence
between the beginning and the ending of the poem it two ways that a person
can look at life. You can look at life and ask pessimistic questions or
you can look at life knowing that you are hear and you can do whatever you
want with it. You can make up "your own verse."

Meg from United States
Comment 1 of 16, added on October 31st, 2004 at 5:27 AM.

Perhaps the author's dissatisfaction with his life at that time.
But the poem ends with an optimistic note. Like his questions are being
answered by God, or a god, or a wiser person.

Laura from Brazil

This poem has been commented on more than 10 times. Click below to see the other comments.
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Information about O Me! O Life!

Poet: Walt Whitman
Poem: 1. O Me! O Life!
Volume: Leaves of Grass
- 12. Leaves of Grass
Year: 1900
Added: Feb 7 2004
Viewed: 36780 times


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