"I am of old and young, of the foolish as much as the wise . . . Maternal as well as paternal, a child as well as a man."

Whitman portrays a connection between all people of all ages and genders. Despite a great diversity in people's background and lifestyle, he believes we are all connected. He wants us to realize that if we look at the bigger picture, we all are somewhat the same. We all have a little bit of foolishness. We all can be wise at times. And our mothers can act paternally while our fathers can act maternally. Despite our main characteristics and traits, none of us are perfect which is another thing we all have in common. We all make mistakes like a child would, but sometimes a child can act with a maturity of understanding just like that of a man's.
The poem reveals Whitman to portray himself as united with all men. Whitman feels as if he is one of the same. I think it teaches the reader that no matter how much different we think we are from one another, we are all of the same. In a way he is saying our diversity through jobs, religion, and environment, is really how we are united and all connected through diversity.