Whitman asks what good life is amid foolishness and struggle, then answers in two lines: "you may contribute a verse." Made famous by the film Dead Poets Society, it is ideal for teaching free verse, anaphora and question-and-answer structure. This free worksheet has the full poem with numbered lines, vocabulary, five discussion questions, a writing prompt and an answer key. No signup needed.
Grades 8–12 · Common Core RL.9-10.4, RL.9-10.2, RL.9-10.5 · US Letter PDF, with an answer key on the last page
What’s on the worksheet
"O Me! O Life!" appeared in Whitman's Leaves of Grass (1867 edition). Like most of Whitman's work, it is free verse: no fixed meter or rhyme. It is built as a long question followed by a short "Answer."
Vocabulary
- recurring: happening again and again
- faithless: lacking faith or loyalty
- reproaching: blaming, criticizing
- vainly: without success
- sordid: dirty, dishonest or shameful
- plodding: moving slowly and heavily
- identity: who a person is
Discussion questions
- What word begins most of the lines in the first part? What is this repetition called, and what effect does it have?
- List three things that trouble the speaker.
- How does the speaker include himself in the problem?
- What is the question he finally asks?
- What is the "Answer"? What does "you may contribute a verse" mean?
Writing prompt
Whitman says "the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse." Write a paragraph or poem describing the "verse" you hope to contribute to the world.
The answer key is included in the PDF, on its own page for teachers.