“Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman (post 5): Opening lines are egalitarian; hypnosis induction technique; and declaration that author has multiple personality.

“I celebrate myself, and sing myself, 

And what I assume you shall assume, 

For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.”

Egalitarian

I celebrate myself, and, dear reader, since we are equal, and what I say of myself also applies to you, then you should celebrate yourself, too.

Hypnosis Induction Technique

Since the poem is often confusing, and since confusion may induce hypnosis—Milton H. Erickson is famous for using confusion as a hypnosis induction technique (1)—the poem is designed to hypnotize readers into celebrating Walt Whitman.

Multiple Personality

Since only people with the same body can have the same atoms, and only alternate personalities can have the same body, the poem’s “you” must refer to an alternate personality, making the poem’s opening lines a declaration that the author has multiple personality.

1. Wikipedia. “Milton H. Erickson.” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Milton_H._Erickson