Which statement about Song of Myself is true?

• A. It adheres to strict meter
• B. It follows a fixed narrative with a single, formal voice
• C. It uses free verse and an expansive, inclusive voice
• D. It relies on rigid rhyme schemes

Answer: (C)

The main idea being tested is how Song of Myself treats form and voice. Whitman writes in free verse with long, flowing lines and a rhythm that feels conversational rather than metrical. This isn’t a poem bound by a strict meter or a formal rhyme scheme.

Equally important is the expansive, inclusive voice. The speaker extends beyond a single persona to blend the self with others—ordinary people, nature, the body, the city, the nation—addressing readers directly and embracing a wide range of experiences. The result is a democratic, all-encompassing voice rather than a singular, polished narrator.

So, this combination—free verse and an expansive, inclusive voice—best captures what Song of Myself does. It breaks away from strict structures and fixed narration, inviting readers into a sprawling, celebratory dialogue rather than a tightly controlled, formal piece.