Final answer:
Walt Whitman suggests that the common people, through perseverance and hard work, can achieve the American Dream, with his poetry as a testament to the value and potential of every individual.
Step-by-step explanation:
- Walt Whitman implies that the American Dream can be achieved by the 'common people'—ordinary individuals who work diligently and embrace the opportunities available in American society.
- Reflecting on his poetry, especially Leaves of Grass, and his life as a journalist, law clerk, teacher, and hospital aide, Whitman celebrates the potential and contributions of every individual, regardless of their station in life.
- The underlying message is that through persistence, hard work, and embracing one's own uniqueness, anyone can realize the American Dream of prosperity, success, and upward social mobility.