O me! O life!

Question 1

light = enlightenment whether it be spiritually or intellectually, but this is fruitless, no new insight is found. all of this “soul searching” is superficial and shallow as they don’t understand that life itself is a gift.

Answer 1

“Of eyes that vainly crave the light”

Question 2

you are a part of a grand play, the fact that life exists is a miracle –> the gift of life. metaphor of the play, life is eccentric, a work of art, and everyone’s existence is important. there’s more to life after death. indent gives readers time to ponder and think.

Answer 2

“the question” –> “answer”
“that you are here - that life exists and identity, the powerful play goes on and you may each contribute a verse”

Question 3

fricative alliteration, literally spitting in disgust, invokes a sense of despair surrounding the flaws of life. metaphor of the train, no one thinks for themselves, they just mechanically follow the person in front of them, unable to find the true meaning of life. Walt Whitman doesn’t exclude himself from this.

Answer 3

“of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish”