Whitman's Fifteenth

In the fifteenth canto of Walt Whitman’s renowned “Song of Myself,” the poet lists and describes dozens of people and activities, most of which involve work.  He leaves almost no stone unturned, touching on everyone from the President to the prostitute.  By doing this, Whitman’s way of thinking manifests itself.  Instead of classifying society as a whole, he cares enough to consider each individual part of it, no matter how important or unimportant.  While others may see society as a macro concept, Whitman sees it through a microscopic lens.  The poet believes that every person deserves to be recognized for their contributions to society.  It is of no meaning to him whether someone's societal role is honorable and influential, or lowly and insignificant.  It is of no meaning to him if a role is legal or not.  Whitman describes the President’s role the same way he describes the prostitutes role: by presenting the facts in an unbiased, non-judgemental manner.