Shanae Odoms, Janeetra Johnson, Raven Wilson, Jerryl Dorsey

1. What types of professions would be celebrated in a modern poetic tribute to Americans?
The types of professions that would be celebrated in a modern poetic tribute to Americans would be doctors, lawyers, soldiers, barbers, firemen, hairstylists, etc.
2. What words and phrases indicate Whitman’s empathy with heroic people?
The words and phrases that indicate Whitman's empathy with heroic people "Each singing what belongs to him or her and to no one else." "The day what belongs to the their melodious songs." These words show Whitman's empathy with heroic people because he depicts his pride towards the ordinary person. Also Whitman himself is an ordinary person so he knows how it feels to have the freedom of having something that belongs to just himself.
3. If you could choose a modern American hero to add to Whitman’s poem, “I Hear America Singing,” Who would you choose and why?
If we could choose a modern America hero to add to Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing", we would choose elderly people because elderly people have a certain knowledge that cannot find everyday. Elderly people possess the natural ability to help one without actually knowing that they are helping one. They are extremely gentle and heroes in the sense that they do not ask for or want for much, but do so much to help someone else.
4. What do you believe is Whitman’s concept of heroism?
Whitman's concept of heroism comes along with those who are ordinary and just uphold the classic beauty of simplicity. Whitman's idea of heroism is also those people who can own what is rightfully theirs, hold pride in themselves, and capture the very essence of one another and their surroundings.
5. Throughout “Song of Myself,” Whitman uses the pronoun “I” in order to empathize with people. What effect does this use of the first person have on the reader?
The effect the first person has on the reader is that the reader feels more connected to the subject of nature. The reader can feel that he or she is not alone in the whirlpools of life because the author knows just how it feels to be distracted by materials and other whimsical things in life. The reader also feels that the author gives lead way into his own feelings, helping readers to understand his or her feelings even more.
6. How would Whitman celebrate the cultural diversity found in America today?
Walt Whitman would celebrate cultural diversity found today in America wiht his writing still. However, he would probably use more than nature and just the discussion of simplicity. We think Whitman would actually describe cultures and the essence of people.
7. What landscapes do you feel Whitman would praise today?
The landscapes Whitman would praise today would still be those of nature. Whitman would praise things like trees, mountains, and other outdoor things that are being shaped. He would praise the shape and beauty of the earth itself.
8. What sound devices would be reminiscent of Whitman’s style to describe these landscapes?
The sound devices that would be reminiscent of Whitman's style to describe these landscapes are repetition and alliteration, consonance, and assonance. These devices help for to get his point of the simplicity of nature across.
9. Do you think Whitman would sing the praises of technology? Explain.
We do not think that Whitman would sing the praises of the technology because that idea goes against everything he stands for as far as simplicity goes. Whitman believed that simplicity would help life to be so much easierand that technology was just another distraction. Whitman held close to the inner mysteries and classic beauty of life not the entertainment (technology).