Behavior
Behavior - meaning Summary
Daily Behavior as Power
Whitman's 'Behavior' celebrates ordinary conduct as central to American freedom and democratic life. He argues that daily actions—whether by youth, laborers, or the poor—express nature, soul, pride, sympathy, physique, intellect, and faith. Such behavior rivals traditional measures of influence like commanding armies or writing books; everyday conduct can be as or more effective in shaping the universe and public life across any state. The poem elevates common people's moral power.
Read Complete AnalysesBEHAVIOR—fresh, native, copious, each one for himself or herself, Nature and the Soul expressed—America and freedom expressed—In it the finest art, In it pride, cleanliness, sympathy, to have their chance, In it physique, intellect, faith—in it just as much as to manage an army or a city, or to write a book—perhaps more, The youth, the laboring person, the poor person, rivalling all the rest—perhaps outdoing the rest, The effects of the universe no greater than its; For there is nothing in the whole universe that can be more effective than a man’s or woman’s daily behavior can be, In any position, in any one of These States.
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