Question

excerpt from \song of myself\
walt whitman

section 31
i believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars,
and the pismire is equally perfect, and a grain of sand, and the egg of the wren,
and the tree-toad is a chef-doeuvre for the highest,
and the running blackberry would adorn the parlors of heaven,
and the narrowest hinge in my hand puts to scorn all machinery,
and the cow crunching with depressd head surpasses any statue,
and a mouse is miracle enough to stagger sextillions of infidels.

i find i incorporate gneiss, coal, long-threaded moss, fruits, grains, esculent roots,
and am stuccod with quadrupeds and birds all over,
and have distanced what is behind me for good reasons,
but call any thing back again when i desire it.

what does the comparison of a \grass\ to the \stars\ convey in the highlighted line?

• the detail to grass and stars highlights his astronomical knowledge.
• the detail to grass and stars stresses the insignificance of earthly objects.
• the detail to grass and stars emphasizes the equal value of all creation.

Explanation:

Analyze the highlighted line

The highlighted line from Section 31 of Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself" reads:
"I believe a leaf of grass is no less than the journey-work of the stars,"

This line directly compares a simple, common, and earthly object ("a leaf of grass") to the grand, cosmic, and complex creation of the universe ("the journey-work of the stars").

Apply Transcendentalist Philosophy

Using the Transcendentalist Philosophy and Walt Whitman Poetic Style knowledge points, we analyze Whitman's core theme of spiritual equality and pantheism. Transcendentalism emphasizes that the divine is present in all things, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant. By stating that a leaf of grass is "no less than" the work of the stars, Whitman asserts that the smallest blade of grass holds the same cosmic significance, beauty, and divine value as the vast universe.

Evaluate the options

Using Poetic Analysis, we evaluate the three given multiple-choice options:

1. The detail to grass and stars highlights his astronomical knowledge. -> Incorrect. The comparison is philosophical and spiritual, not a scientific demonstration of astronomy.
2. The detail of grass and stars stresses the insignificance of earthly objects. -> Incorrect. Whitman is elevating the grass, not diminishing it or other earthly objects.
3. The detail of grass and stars emphasizes the equal value of all creation. -> Correct. Saying the grass is "no less than" the stars directly argues for the equal spiritual worth of all parts of nature.

Answer:

• The detail to grass and stars highlights his astronomical knowledge.
• The detail of grass and stars stresses the insignificance of earthly objects.
• The detail of grass and stars emphasizes the equal value of all creation. (Correct answer)