Final answer:
In Walt Whitman's 'Song of Myself,' the speaker acts as both an observer and participant, reflecting Whitman's connection to everyday life and common people.
Step-by-step explanation:
In Song of Myself, number 10, by Walt Whitman, the speaker's role can best be described as that of an observer and participant. This is evident as the speaker presents a broad, sweeping view of everyday life, symbolizing both the awareness and engagement within the diverse experiences of life.
As the narrator of the poem, Whitman employs an omniscient point of view, providing a perspective that captures not only the thoughts and actions of various people and events but also his active participation in these observations.
The speaker is deeply connected with the common people and their experiences, celebrating both high and low culture, thereby embodying Whitman's ethos of joining the remarkable and the mundane through language.
Thus, the role of the speaker goes beyond mere observation; it includes active engagement with the world around him, making 'observer and participant' the most appropriate description.