🌦️Unit 1: Sense of Self, Lesson 3: O Me! O Life! by Walt Whitman

Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring, Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish, Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?) Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d, Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me, Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined, The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life? Answer. That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.

B. Listen to the poem using the following YouTube link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGZo87I2T8

C. Answer the following questions:

1. What is the main theme of the poem?

The poem explores the search for meaning and purpose in life despite despair and human failure.

2. What recurring questions does the poet mention?

He repeatedly questions the value of life in a world full of foolishness, faithlessness, and suffering.

3. What does the poet mean by “useless years”?

It refers to years wasted without purpose, achievement, or meaningful contribution.

4. Is age an identity marker? What are the attributes of old age?

Age can mark identity through experience and maturity; old age is linked with reflection, regret, wisdom, and physical decline.

5. What do “sordid” and “plodding” mean?

“Sordid” means morally unpleasant or degraded, while “plodding” means slow and monotonous.

6. What “faith” does the poet mention here?

The poet points to a loss of faith in humanity’s moral and spiritual values.

7. Is there a symbolic meaning of “contribute a verse” in the last line?

It symbolically means playing one’s role and adding meaning to life through actions or creativity.

8. Do you find the answer section of the poem convincing?

Yes, because it offers hope and affirms that every individual’s existence has value.

D. Pair work:

Some words in the poem such as “fill’d” and “renew’d” are examples of contractions, where letters are omitted and replaced by an apostrophe. Below is a list of such words written in pairs:

  • fill’d — filled
  • renew’d — renewed
  • recur’ring — recurring
  • struggl’d — struggled
  • belov’d — beloved

Students should work in pairs to identify more contracted forms and write their full versions with guidance from their subject teacher.

Instructions: Students should work in pairs to identify more contracted forms and write their full versions with guidance from their subject teacher.

I'm

I am

You're

You are

He's

He is

She's

She is

It's

It is

We're

We are

They're

They are

Don't

Do not

Can't

Cannot

Won't

Will not

I've

I have

You've

You have

We've

We have

They've

They have

I'd

I would / I had

You'd

You would / You had

He'd

He would / He had

She'd

She would / She had

We'll

We will

You'll

You will

They'll

They will

Isn't

Is not

Aren't

Are not

Wasn't

Was not

Weren't

Were not

Doesn't

Does not

Didn't

Did not

Haven't

Have not

Hasn't

Has not

Shouldn't

Should not

E. Write a summary of the poem and present it in the class.

The poem “O Me! O Life!” by Walt Whitman expresses the poet’s deep sense of disappointment with human life and society. He feels troubled by the foolishness, faithlessness, and moral weakness he sees around him, as well as by his own failures. These thoughts lead him to question the value and purpose of life.

However, the poet finds a hopeful answer to his question. He realizes that life itself is meaningful because every individual exists with a unique identity. The “powerful play” of life continues, and each person has the opportunity to contribute something valuable. The poem ultimately conveys a message of hope, self-worth, and personal responsibility.


Necessary Words and Phrases

Word/Phrase Details Example Sentence
recurring (Adjective) IPA: /rɪˈkɜːrɪŋ/
Bengali: বারবার ঘটে এমন; পুনরাবৃত্ত
Synonyms: repeated, frequent, continual 		The poet is troubled by recurring questions about the purpose of life.
trains of the faithless (Noun Phrase) IPA: /treɪnz əv ðə ˈfeɪθləs/
Bengali: বিশ্বাসহীন মানুষের দীর্ঘ সারি; আশাহীন মানুষের দল
Meaning: Large, continuous groups of people who have lost faith in life, values, or purpose
Synonyms: crowds of the disillusioned, masses without faith, hopeless multitudes 		In the poem, “trains of the faithless” expresses the poet’s despair at seeing countless people living without belief or direction.
reproaching (Verb) IPA: /rɪˈprəʊtʃɪŋ/
Bengali: ভর্ৎসনা করা; নিজেকে দোষারোপ করা
Synonyms: blaming, criticizing, scolding 		He keeps reproaching himself for his failures.
crave the light (Verb Phrase) IPA: /kreɪv ðə laɪt/
Bengali: আলোর জন্য তীব্র আকাঙ্ক্ষা করা; সত্য বা আশার সন্ধান করা
Meaning: To strongly desire enlightenment, hope, truth, or understanding, especially while being in darkness or despair
Synonyms: long for enlightenment, yearn for hope, seek truth 		In the poem, people who “crave the light” desperately seek meaning and hope amid darkness and confusion.
plodding (Adjective) IPA: /ˈplɒdɪŋ/
Bengali: ধীর ও একঘেয়ে
Synonyms: slow, laborious, monotonous 		The plodding routine of daily life makes people feel exhausted.
sordid (Adjective) IPA: /ˈsɔːdɪd/
Bengali: নোংরা; নৈতিকভাবে নীচ
Synonyms: filthy, immoral, unpleasant 		The poet criticizes the sordid nature of modern society.
intertwined (Adjective) IPA: /ˌɪntəˈtwaɪnd/
Bengali: জড়িত; পরস্পরের সঙ্গে যুক্ত
Synonyms: connected, entangled, interlinked 		His life is deeply intertwined with the lives of others.
amid (Preposition) IPA: /əˈmɪd/
Bengali: মাঝে; পরিবেষ্টিত অবস্থায়
Synonyms: among, in the middle of 		He searches for meaning amid confusion and despair.

1. Multiple Choice Questions

  1. What is the central theme of the poem?
    • The inevitability of death.
    • The struggle to find meaning in life.
    • The beauty of nature.
    • The importance of wealth.
  2. Which word in the poem means “continued or repeated over and over”?
    • reproaching
    • recurring
    • intertwined
    • sordid
  3. How does the poet describe the people around him?
    • Wise and faithful.
    • Plodding and sordid.
    • Joyful and carefree.
    • Creative and lively.
  4. What emotion does the poet express in the first part of the poem?
    • Joy and excitement.
    • Sadness and frustration.
    • Anger and revenge.
    • Peace and contentment.
  5. What gives the poet hope according to the ending lines?
    • Fame and wealth.
    • The existence of life and the chance to contribute.
    • Escape from society.
    • Knowledge and education.
  6. The poet refers to himself as “faithless” and “foolish.” What literary device is used here?
    • Hyperbole
    • Alliteration
    • Self-reproach/Confession
    • Simile
  7. The phrase “the powerful play goes on” symbolizes:
    • A literal theater performance.
    • Life continuing regardless of individual struggles.
    • A political revolution.
    • A game of chance.
  8. Which words in the poem suggest monotony and tediousness of life?
    • recurring, reproaching, intertwined
    • plodding, sordid, renew’d
    • light, objects, verse
    • good, powerful, play

2. Short Questions and Answers

1. What recurring question does the poet ask in the poem?

The poet asks, “What good amid these, O me, O life?” questioning the purpose and meaning of life.

2. How does the poet describe himself in the poem?

He describes himself as foolish and faithless, constantly reproaching himself.

3. Which words suggest the tedious and monotonous nature of life in the poem?

Words like “plodding,” “sordid,” and “renew’d” indicate the tedious and monotonous aspects of life.

4. What gives the poet hope at the end of the poem?

The poet finds hope in the fact that life exists, identity matters, and one can contribute a verse to the “powerful play.”

5. What does “the powerful play goes on” symbolize?

It symbolizes life continuing despite struggles, and the possibility for each individual to make a contribution.

3. Fill in the Blanks (Bengal and Folklore)

The poet repeatedly asks the question, Click, reflecting on the Click of life. He describes himself as Click and Click, and notices the Click and Click nature of the people around him. Despite the Click and seemingly Click years, he finds hope because life exists, identity matters, and one can contribute a Click to the Click.



4. b. Read the passage and complete the table below with the given information

Complete the table with key events and their causes in the story of Behula and Chand Saodagar.

Who/What Action/Event Cause/Reason Result/Effect
Challenges The poet reflects on recurring struggles, monotony, and (i) in life. He describes people as (ii) and notes his own (iii). This highlights the difficulties of life and the need for (iv).
Hope and Contribution The poet finds meaning in the existence of life and (v). He emphasizes that “the powerful play goes on” and each person can contribute a (vi). This encourages readers to recognize purpose, hope, and the value of contributing to life despite challenges.

Auld Lang Syne – Line by Line Analysis

Line by Line Analysis – I Have Seen Bengal’s Face

Lines 1–2 +

“Oh me! Oh life! of the questions of these recurring,” expresses the poet’s sense of existential questioning and the repetition of life’s difficult questions.

“Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,” highlights societal flaws and the poet’s perception of widespread ignorance and unfaithfulness around him.

Lines 3–4 +

“Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)” shows self-reflection and acknowledgment of personal flaws.

“Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,” emphasizes the human desire for meaning and the constant, often futile effort to find purpose.

Lines 5–6 +

“Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,” reflects disappointment in society and its mediocrity.

“Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,” expresses the poet’s feeling of being trapped in the monotony and futility of life.

Lines 7–8 +

“The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?” poses the central existential question about life’s purpose despite struggles, societal flaws, and personal limitations.

Lines 9–10 +

“That you are here—that life exists and identity,” offers an answer: simply existing and having an identity gives life intrinsic value.

“That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.” Suggests that participating and contributing, no matter how small, gives meaning to life and human experience.

Overall Analysis +

Theme: Life is full of struggles and societal flaws, yet individual existence and contribution provide meaning.

Tone: Reflective, contemplative, and ultimately hopeful.

Literary Devices: Repetition, self-reproach, imagery, existential questioning, contrasts between futility and hope.

Cultural Significance: Encourages self-reflection and individual responsibility while acknowledging universal human struggles.

Summary +

The poem expresses the poet’s contemplation of life’s difficulties, societal flaws, and personal shortcomings. Despite the struggles, monotony, and futility he observes in himself and others, the poet finds hope in existence and the ability to contribute meaningfully to life. The poem emphasizes that life itself, identity, and individual contribution provide purpose and value amidst an imperfect world.

Theme +

Existential Reflection: Examines personal and societal struggles and the search for meaning.

Hope and Contribution: Life has value through existence and the ability to contribute.

Self-Realization: Encourages self-awareness and acknowledgment of personal flaws.

Life’s Purpose: Even amidst monotony and futility, contributing a “verse” gives life meaning.

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