In the poem the myth of the west, which was incredibly important in the bringing up of the United States, acts as a continuum linking the past to the future; showing the potential of the new America. By using the first person plural Whitman writes about the duties to be carried out by the pioneers; this style of using first person plural gives the poem a strong emotional appeal, which in return gives the reader a stronger connection to the poem.
The myth of the American west is woven throughout the poem as a narrative thread linking past and future; symbolizing the promise of this new land. Through the use of first-person plural language, Whitman addresses the settlers' shared obligations, generating an emotional impact that strengthens the reader's attachment to the poem.