Final answer:
Walt Whitman regards the earth with a lover-like affection, as observed in 'Song of Myself'. His poetic voice is broad, democratic, and celebratory, using free verse to reflect natural speech and capture the American spirit. Whitman poignantly engages with the Civil War through personal and national narratives.
Step-by-step explanation:
The speaker of the poem, Walt Whitman, typically regards the earth with a profound affection and appreciation for the natural world, akin to that of a lover. This is demonstrated in poems such as “Song of Myself,” where Whitman emphasizes his connection with nature by using imagery that portrays his sensory experiences, such as touch and smell. For instance, the line “I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass” indicates a leisurely and intimate relationship with the environment around him. Moreover, Whitman's poetry, integrating natural and urban elements, suggests a harmonization rather than a competition between the two, showing a deep interconnectedness with the natural world that guides his expression and exploration of the common people and their experiences.
In describing the voice of Whitman's poetry, it is often characterized as being expansive, democratic, and celebratory of both the individual and the collective human spirit. His style is marked by free verse that mirrors the rhythms of natural speech, giving his poetry a distinctive cadence that encompasses a broad spectrum of American life and culture. Whitman's engagement with the Civil War is particularly poignant in poems like “O Captain! My Captain!,” reflecting the national trauma and loss in a deeply personal narrative.