What Is The Significant Use Of Grass In Walt Whitman's Song Of Myself

Shiny green, blades of grass silently swaying on a breezy spring day may simply appear insignificant. However, Walt Whitman would disagree. In Whitman’s “Song of Myself,” poem number six, the poet expresses his beliefs through the significant use of grass to symbolize hope, equality, and perpetual life.
Whitman’s poem begins with a child asking, “What is the grass?” ( Whitman 26). The writer then proceeds to explain his belief, through a series of symbolic phrases, that grass represents hope. This is supported in the text by the words, “flag of my disposition” (Whitman 26). In this phrase Whitman is saying that the grass is a flag or symbol for his disposition or beliefs. He proceeds to state, “out of hopeful green stuff woven” (Whitman 26).

This is affirmed by the statement that grass is, “a uniform hieroglyphic,” (Whitman 26) which indicates it is a universal language that everyone can relate to or comprehend. This is further supported when Whitman writes, “Sprouting alike in broad zones and narrow zones” (Whitman 26). This expresses Whitman’s view in equality by stating that grass can be found among broad zones, the majority, or narrow zones, the minority. Grass does not know social or economic barriers. It grows most everywhere. Also, it does not discriminate. Whitman confirms this by stating that it grows, “among black folks as among whites” (Whitman 26). Whitman’s portrayal of grass as a common element among people supports its symbolism of

The poet describes grass as, “beautiful uncut hair of graves,” (Whitman 26). Grass emerges as new life in the form of tiny green sprouts, then matures and decays but it is not eradicated. Instead, grass is recycled through decomposition and fertilizes new grass. Whitman asserts that grass is like human life because it too is perpetual. The connection between grass and human life is confirmed in the statement that grass, “may . . . transpire from the breasts of young men” (Whitman 26). Lungs are located in the breast area of man and human life requires oxygen. Grass releases oxygen and allows man to breathe and have life. Grass is also used as feed for animals and supports plant life. Both animals and plants provide food for humans. Just as grass matures so do humans. This is exhibited in, “grass is very dark to be from the white heads of old mothers” (Whitman 27). As grass ages it becomes brown or dark. As humans age their hair becomes white or gray. Like grass, a person never ceases to exist because the human body also returns to ashes or dirt and the process of fertilizing new life begins again. Whitman confirmed this when he wrote, “All goes onward and upward, nothing collapses” (Whitman 27). The poet’s belief in perpetual life is clearly expressed through the symbolism of