To You is an 1856 poem by Walt Whitman. In the poem, Whitman suggests that he deeply understands the reader,...
GMAT Information and Ideas : (Ideas) Questions
To You is an 1856 poem by Walt Whitman. In the poem, Whitman suggests that he deeply understands the reader, whom he addresses directly, writing, ______
Which quotation from 'To You' most effectively illustrates the claim?
'Your true soul and body appear before me.'
'Whoever you are, now I place my hand upon you, that you be my poem.'
'I should have made my way straight to you long ago.'
'Whoever you are, I fear you are walking the walks of dreams.'
Step 1: Decode and Map the Passage
Create Passage Analysis Table
| Text from Passage | Analysis |
|---|---|
| 'To You' is an 1856 poem by Walt Whitman. |
|
| In the poem, Whitman suggests that he deeply understands the reader, whom he addresses directly |
|
Provide Passage Architecture & Core Elements
Main Point: Walt Whitman's poem 'To You' demonstrates his deep understanding of the reader through direct address.
Argument Flow: We're given basic context about Whitman's 1856 poem, followed by a specific claim about Whitman's relationship with his reader. We need to find textual evidence that best supports this claim of deep understanding combined with direct address.
Step 2: Interpret the Question Precisely
This is a fill-in-the-blank question asking us to choose the best logical connector. The answer must create the right relationship between what comes before and after the blank.
Step 3: Prethink the Answer
- The correct quotation needs to demonstrate two key elements from our claim:
- Whitman's deep understanding of the reader (not just surface-level connection)
- Direct address to the reader (speaking to them personally)
- The understanding should feel profound or intimate, going beyond casual observation
- So the right answer should show Whitman speaking directly to the reader while revealing that he sees or comprehends something meaningful about who they truly are.
'Your true soul and body appear before me.'
✓ Correct
- Shows direct address with 'Your' and demonstrates deep understanding through 'true soul and body'
- 'True soul and body' indicates Whitman sees beyond surface appearances to the reader's authentic essence
- Perfectly matches our prethinking about profound, intimate understanding
'Whoever you are, now I place my hand upon you, that you be my poem.'
✗ Incorrect
- Contains direct address with 'you' but focuses on making the reader part of his poetry
- More about Whitman's creative process than his understanding of the reader
'I should have made my way straight to you long ago.'
✗ Incorrect
- Shows direct address but expresses regret about delayed connection
- Doesn't demonstrate current deep understanding of the reader
- More about Whitman's feelings than his insight into who the reader is
'Whoever you are, I fear you are walking the walks of dreams.'
✗ Incorrect
- Contains direct address but suggests uncertainty with 'I fear'
- 'Walking the walks of dreams' implies the reader might be disconnected from reality