Quick Read the poem "Song of the Open Road" by Walt Whitman (1-16 only) .

Part A
What is the theme of "Song of the Open Road"?
A)Taking a vacation allows someone to spend meaningful time with friends and family.

B)Being rooted in one place doing everyday activities is better than wandering alone on the open road.

C)Only when people are traveling can they truly prioritize the needs of others over their own needs.

D)Traveling is a freeing experience that allows for independence and self-reflection.

Part B
Which TWO quotes from the poem from the poem BEST help Whitman develop the theme identified in Part A?

A) "I will recruit for myself and you as i go;/ I will scatter myself among men and women as I go;"

B) "I can repeat over to men and women, You have done such good to me, I would do the same to you."

C)"From this hour, freedom!/From this hour I ordain myself loos'd of limits and imaginary lines,"

D)"Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, / Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me."

Answers are as follow:

Part A

What is a theme of "Song of the Open Road"?

ANS: Traveling is a freeing experience that allows for independence and self-reflection.

Part B

Which two quotes from the poem best help Whitman develop the theme identified in Part A?

ANS: "From this hour, freedom! / From this hour I ordain myself loos’d of limits and imaginary lines,"

"Pausing, searching, receiving, contemplating, / Gently, but with undeniable will, divesting myself of the holds that would hold me."

taking into account that a theme is the central topic a text treats and can be developed through a story, play, poem etc. the following are themes that can be further developed:  

my best friend jeffrey has many unusual interests. (the story could be about each of the unususal interests)

once a man gives his soul over to evil, he can never go back. (this could be a saying or a proverb)

the three sheepdogs lay around the yard all day. (it could be developed detailing how each of these sheepdogs lay around)

a priest's collar has an unusual effect upon people. (it could be developed detailing the different effect upon people)

innocence is a powerful force in a world full of corruption. (it could be developed detailing how is a world full of corruption)

king lear is a play shakespeare wrote later. (it is just a sentence and doesnt give any idea or topic to be discussed in details.

evil often wears the disguise of innocence. (this could be a saying or a proverb)