Walt Whitman's poem, "Song of Myself," is a significant piece of
             literature because it reveals one man's attempt at not only understanding
             his own experience but his fellow man's as well. It reaches out to every
             individual--smart or simple. Whitman desired to cross boundaries with this
             poem and help us realize how we ultimately depend on earth other. His
             eyewitness accounts of the suffering brought about by the Civil War
             probably provided the impetus for writing the poem. His compassion for his
             fellow man is only matched by his appreciation for life itself. "Song of
             Myself" is indeed a celebration--of life, of man, of being a part of the
             universe. When we take time to understand the poem, we realize that we are
             coming close to understanding the poet as he wished to be remembered.
             It is important to understand that Whitman wished to challenge
             contemporary literature, which he felt was written for the "exceptional
             man" (Spiller) rather than the simple man. The common poetry of the day
             was one external feature that influenced Whitman's poetry in general. In
             "Song of Myself," this idea is prevalent and can be seen in the opening of
             the poem when he identifies himself with every man. He tells us, "For
             every man belonging to me as good belongs to you" (Whitman 3). Spiller
             believes this message is critical to the concept of the entire poem because
             it establishes the notion that the poet considers himself to be a part of
             the "eternal time stream" (Spiller 478). When seen from this perspective
             love provides all men with the capacity for knowledge and this knowledge
             cannot be disputed. The poet clearly sees himself in everyone he
             encounters. This notion is further explored later in the poem when he
             writes, "Whoever degrades another degrades me; And whatever is done or said
             returns at last to me" (Whitman 498-99). With these lines, we see how the
             poet considers no one to be a...