Final answer:
The task in Whitman's poetry involves individual contributions towards the collective soul and eternity. Whitman challenges readers with free verse and engages with Civil War themes in a voice that is grand yet colloquial, reflecting democratic ideals and yielding poetry that resonates over time.
Step-by-step explanation:
In stanzas four, five, and six of Walt Whitman's poetry, the "task" that must be fulfilled by Whitman's audience refers to the individual contributions each person makes towards the collective soul and ultimately towards eternity. It emphasizes the idea that, regardless of whether the role an individual plays is considered great or small in society, each person's contribution is significant and necessary for the collective human spirit.
Whitman's free verse challenges readers by deviating from traditional forms of poetry that utilize rhyme and meter. Instead, he employs a more organic rhythm and structure that can make interpretations more subjective and engagement with the text more personal. The elements of Whitman's poetry that help readers grasp how to approach his work include the use of common language and imagery, a strong sense of rhythm despite the absence of formal structure, wordplay, and thematic explorations that reflect his ideals of democracy and individualism.
Whitman's voice in his poetry is often described as both grand and colloquial, capable of encompassing both the exalted and the everyday. He engages with Civil War themes by illuminating the impact of the conflict on national consciousness and incorporating both personal and collective experiences within his work.
The relevance and enduring nature of Whitman's poetry arise from his distinctive style and thematic concerns that resonate with the human experience, the transformative times of the American Civil War, and the American identity.