Question

passage one, i hear america singing by walt whitman emphasizes a collective harmony and unity in the american identity.

1. i hear america singing by walt whitman

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,

1. 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 - cutter’s song, the ploughboy’s 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 to him or her and to none else.

1. in passage one, what does the phrase blithe and strong suggest about the mechanics’ songs?

a. they are cheerful and robust.
b. they are sad and mournful.
c. they are loud and overpowering.
d. they are monotonous and repetitive.

Explanation:

The poem "I Hear America Singing" by Walt Whitman uses words to convey imagery. The phrase "blithe and strong" is used to describe the mechanics' songs. "Blithe" means cheerful and "strong" implies robust. Analyzing the options:

• Option A: "Cheerful and robust" matches the meanings of "blithe" and "strong".
• Option B: "Sad and mournful" is the opposite of "blithe".
• Option C: "Loud and overpowering" - There is no indication of "loud" from the words "blithe and strong".
• Option D: "Monotonous and repetitive" - No such connotations in "blithe and strong".

Answer:

A. They are cheerful and robust.