Question

using tpcastt, paraphrase walt whitmans \i hear america singing.\ which of the following is the best paraphrase of line 9 of the poem? each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,

• each of them sings about what they own, what they want to buy, and nothing else.
• each of them sings about their own work, their own life, and nothing else.
• each of them sings about what everyone else has taken from them and nothing else.

Explanation:

Analyze the target line

The question asks for the best paraphrase of line 9 of Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing":
"Each singing what belongs to him or her and to none else,"

Using the TPCASTT Method, we look closely at the literal meaning and connotations of the words. "What belongs to him or her" refers to their individual life, unique work, and personal identity, rather than material possessions or grievances.

Evaluate the options

• Option 1: "Each of them sings about what they own, what they want to buy, and nothing else." This focuses too much on literal material ownership and commercialism, which does not fit Whitman's celebration of individual spirit and labor.
• Option 2: "Each of them sings about their own work, their own life, and nothing else." This accurately captures the essence of Poetic Interpretation for this line, as Whitman's poem celebrates the unique, individual contributions, daily labors, and personal lives of various American workers.
• Option 3: "Each of them sings about what everyone else has taken from them and nothing else." This introduces a theme of resentment or loss that is entirely absent from this celebratory poem.

Select the best paraphrase

Option 2 is the most accurate paraphrase of the line's meaning within the context of the poem.

Answer:

• Each of them sings about what they own, what they want to buy, and nothing else.
• Each of them sings about their own work, their own life, and nothing else. (Correct answer)
• Each of them sings about what everyone else has taken from them and nothing else.