The Spotted Hawk Swoops By
by Walk Whitman
Ryan and Kat
Summary
• A man sits around as he ponders and stares into
space. A hawk flies by and criticizes about his
idle loitering.
• The man says that he is like the hawk, just as
free and untamed.
• He feels that the wind and the ground has taken
him in and fused him within nature. He is one
within the world.
• No one will be able to recognize him in this state
because he is only where few know to look.
Sound Devices
• Parallelism – “ I too am not a bit tamed, I too am
untranslatable.” (Whitman 3)
• Metaphor – “I effuse my flesh in eddies , and
drift it in lacy gags” (Whitman 8)
• Alliteration – “Failing to fetch me at first keep
encouraged” (Whitman 14)
• Symbolism – The speaker symbolizes all of
humanity. He is one with all and all are one with
him.
Imagery
• “I bequeath myself to the dirt to grow from the
grass I love” (Whitman 9) This uses strong visual
imagery to help you imagine him fusing into
nature.
• “I sound by barbaric yawp over the roofs of the
world” (Whitman 3) This imagery appeals to the
sense of hearing, so that actions become more
vivid.