I am large. I contain multitudes.
Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, 51 (Leaves of Grass)
I am large. I contain multitudes.
Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, 51 (Leaves of Grass)
What it means
Whitman shrugs off the charge of contradiction. A whole person holds many moods, ideas and selves. Do not shrink yourself to look consistent.
The source
"I am large. I contain multitudes." Walt Whitman said it in Song of Myself, 51 (Leaves of Grass). Written in English: Leaves of Grass, 1891-92 edition.
"Do I contradict myself? / Very well then I contradict myself, / (I am large, I contain multitudes.)"Original English (Leaves of Grass, 1891-92 edition), Song of Myself, 51 (Leaves of Grass). Text read at gutenberg.org.
Who said it
Walt Whitman (1819–1892). American poet who spent his life rewriting and expanding one book, Leaves of Grass, including Song of Myself and Song of the Open Road.
Questions
- What does "I am large. I contain multitudes." mean?
- Whitman shrugs off the charge of contradiction. A whole person holds many moods, ideas and selves. Do not shrink yourself to look consistent.
- Who said "I am large. I contain multitudes."?
- Walt Whitman (1819–1892). Source: Song of Myself, 51 (Leaves of Grass).
- What is the original wording?
- Do I contradict myself? / Very well then I contradict myself, / (I am large, I contain multitudes.) (Original English (Leaves of Grass, 1891-92 edition)). Written in English: Leaves of Grass, 1891-92 edition.
- Is "I am large. I contain multitudes." on a shirt?
- Yes. We print it to order on our tees in 7 illustrated looks, from $44, with free US shipping.
Cite this line
"I am large. I contain multitudes." (Walt Whitman, Song of Myself, 51 (Leaves of Grass), trans. Original English (Leaves of Grass, 1891-92 edition)). https://spartansurfers.com/quotes/i-am-large-i-contain-multitudes
Filed under Self.
Wear it your way
The same line in every look it fits. Each one is printed to order on heavy cotton, same price.
More from Walt Whitman
- Not a bit tamed. Sound your barbaric yawp.Song of Myself, 52 (Leaves of Grass)
- Missed me in one place? Search another. Keep encouraged.Song of Myself, 52 (Leaves of Grass)
- Afoot and light-hearted, the world before me.Song of the Open Road, 1 (Leaves of Grass)
- I am larger, better than I thought.Song of the Open Road, 5 (Leaves of Grass)
- We convince by our presence.Song of the Open Road, 10 (Leaves of Grass)
- The powerful play goes on. You may contribute a verse.O Me, O Life (Leaves of Grass; title punctuation simplified)