Question

Which statement best describes the structure of “I Hear America Singing”?

The poem uses the same number of words in each line to create structure.

The poem is tightly structured in a traditional way.

The poem is loosely structured overall but does have some elements that make structure.

The poem has no structure at all.

Answer 1

The best answer is: "The poem is loosely structured overall but does have some elements that make structure".

Step-by-step explanation:

The first option is not true about this poem and also about Walt Whitman's works for they are most of the times written in free verse and informal style and form. The second option is also not true about this poem and Whitman's works because they do not follow the traditional patterns of writing poetry, and that is one of the characters that made Whitman's poetry so much honored and respected for its innovation. The last option is also not true for every poem has its own structure, whether it is traditional or not, or even recognized or not as a work of art. Therefore, the best answer is the fact that the poem has a free structure altogether, although it presents some elements that establishes a poetry pattern, such as by the use of poetic devices, for instance, parallelism, cataloging and consonance.

Answer 2

The poem is loosely structured overall but does have some elements that make structure.

Step-by-step explanation:

The poem does not rhyme and is very freely written. but it does start with "The" in most lines as it tells us who is singing:

"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 as he sits on his bench, the hatter singing as he stands"

So, considering the verses above, it would be correct to say that it has some sort of structure.