Question

select the correct answer
read the following excerpt from walt whitmans \i hear america singing\.
i hear america singing, the varied carols i hear,
those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blitheglad, cheerful disposition 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,
the boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat, the deckhand
singing on the steamboat deck.
why does whitman highlight the \singing\ of different types of workers as making up the voice of america?
a. whitman wants to unite the working class by using workers from various occupations.
b. whitman wants to highlight how diverse americans are by using workers from different backgrounds.
c. whitman wants to highlight the industriousness of americans and to allow readers to see themselves reflected in the poem
d. whitman wants to let the rich empathize with the working class of america

Explanation:

Whitman's poem "I Hear America Singing" showcases workers from different occupations (mechanics, carpenter, mason, boatman, deckhand) each singing. By highlighting these workers' singing, he emphasizes their industriousness (they are singing while working or getting ready for work). Also, by including various types of workers, he allows a wide range of readers (who might be from these occupations or know people in them) to see themselves or their communities reflected in the poem.

• Option A: The poem is more about celebrating the workers and their contribution (through their singing while working) rather than just uniting the working - class.
• Option B: While there is diversity in occupations, the focus is more on their work - related singing (showing industriousness) than just diversity.
• Option D: There is no indication in the poem that it is aimed at making the rich empathize with the working - class.

Answer:

C. Whitman wants to highlight the industriousness of Americans and to allow readers to see themselves reflected in the poem.