The object of this research was Walt
Whitman’s poem, entitled I Hear America Singing. The
object will be analyzed through theory of Michael
Riffaterre’s theory using a descriptive qualitative method.
It means the method of collecting data will be collected by
analyzing, interpreting, and describing the theories
contained in the poem. There were four concepts
contained in Michael Riffaterre’s theory: The first was
indirection expression included the displacing, distorting,
and the creating the meaning. It discussed figurative
language such as personification, metaphor, and also the
structure of verse. The second, heuristic and hermeneutic
readings that have a relation with reading a verse based
on language convention and overall rereading with
interpretation. The third was the matrix, model, and
variant. The last was the intertextual relationship. It can
be concluded that the poem based on the analysis of I
Hear America Singing described the equality and
diversity of each individual regardless of profession, age,
and gender.
Keywords : Poetry, Semiotics, Riffaterre’s Theory.