Question

i hear america singing
passage one, i hear america singing by walt whitman emphasizes a collective harmony and unity in the american identity.
1 i hear america singing
i hear america singing, the varied carols i hear,
those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
the carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
the mason singing his as he makes ready for work, or leaves off work,
5 the boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck,
the shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands,
the wood-cutters song, the ploughboys on his way in the morning, or at noon intermission or at sundown,
the delicious singing of the mother, or of the young wife at work, or of the girl sewing or washing,
each singing what belongs... scroll down to see more

1. in passage one, what is the purpose of the recurrence of the word singing?

a. to convey that individualism is valued in the american collective.
b. to create a sense of rhythm for the singers to harmonize with.
c. to emphasize the importance of vocal expression in proving ones worth.
d. to highlight that only those individuals who are happy doing their job have a voice.

Explanation:

In the poem "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman, the repetition of "singing" emphasizes that each person, regardless of their occupation (mechanic, mason, boatman, etc.), has a unique voice and contributes to the collective harmony of America. This shows that individualism (each person's distinct song) is valued within the American collective. Option B about myth - creation is not supported as there's no mythological element. Option C over - emphasizes vocal expression over individual contribution. Option D's "only those...happy" is incorrect as the poem includes all workers, not just the happy ones.

Answer:

A. To convey that individualism is valued in the American collective.