1. What is the subject matter of the assigned poem?

The subject matter of the poem is Life. Walt first talks

about his life in the beginning and starts reminiscing about
past events anythings he has learned along the way. He goes
on in the poem to talk not just about the individual self with
nature but how everything in nature including people have a
natural circle of life that is to be embraced and followed.
2. Can you quote one or more critical assessments of the
formal qualities of the assigned poem?
In the poem, Walt stated a line saying I believe in you,
my soul-the other I am must not abase itself to you; and you
must not be abased to the other. This to me is Whitman
talking to his physical being and his soul or spiritual self. He
says that neither one should lower their standards and
continue to enjoy the fullness that life has to offer.
3. Is this poetry controversial? In what ways?
yes, on one end he is talking about the value of life and
being one with the universe and understanding that life is
given and taken away. But one can also see it as to not work
and just spend your life understanding life to only die without
ever really completing anything
4. Can you quote one or more critical assessments of the
controversial aspects of the poem?
In the 7th poem he opens with the line Has anyone
supposed it lucky to be born? This can be controversial
because he is implying that one may not deem it to be lucky

to be born to spend your life trying to find the meaning and

purpose of it only to die and be forgotten.
5. Did you like or dislike the poem? Why or why not?
Yes, This poem really makes you question what do you
want out of life. I tells you to slow down and understand that
in fact there is a natural order to life and that everything
thing that begins also has an ending in life. Do not spend
your whole questioning life but do not work so much that you
miss the simple enjoyments of life.