Final answer:
In Walt Whitman's 'I Hear America Singing,' the characters in line 8 exemplify the poet's celebration of diversity, individuality, and the working class, which he views as the heart of the American spirit and democracy.
Step-by-step explanation:
The unique aspect about the characters in line 8 of I Hear America Singing by Walt Whitman is that they represent the diversity and individuality that Whitman saw as central to American democracy and the nation's spirit. The poem's emphasis on individuals, each with their own unique song, reflects the poet's belief in the inherent value of every person's contribution to society, regardless of their profession or status. In his celebration of the working class, Whitman valued the common people and saw them as the true embodiment of the American spirit.
In his wider body of work, Whitman frequently focused on the varied carols of the American populace, using the metaphor of singing to represent the varied and harmonious labor that drives the nation. This inclusivity and celebration of diverse vocations and individuals are central themes in Whitman's poetry, emphasizing democratic ideals and individual freedom.