Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
Leaves of Grass
Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is considered a significant departure from traditional poetic forms and conventions of his time. Its free verse style and themes of democracy, individuality, and the innate beauty of the human body were groundbreaking. The collection underwent several revisions and expansions throughout Whitman’s lifetime, with each edition containing more poems and updated versions of previous ones.
Controversy
Despite facing criticism and controversy due to the explicit and sensual nature of some of his poems, Whitman’s work gained a devoted following and garnered praise from influential literary figures like Emerson and Henry David Thoreau. His poetry celebrated the diversity and vitality of American life, depicting a nation in the midst of rapid industrialization and social change.
Walt Whitman
Whitman’s poetic voice echoed his belief in the interconnectedness of all human beings, emphasizing the importance of unity and love. His poetic persona, often described as a “poet of the people,” spoke directly to the reader, using vivid and sensual imagery to evoke a sense of intimacy and shared experience.
In addition to his poetry, Whitman wrote essays, letters, and even a novel, Franklin Evans (1842). He also worked as a nurse during the American Civil War, tending to wounded soldiers and experiencing the horrors and sacrifices of war firsthand. This experience deeply affected his later poetry, which took on a more somber and reflective tone.
American Literature
Whitman’s influence on American literature and poetry cannot be overstated. His disregard for formal poetic techniques and his focus on the ordinary, the democratic, and the human made him a precursor to modernist and free verse poets. His legacy continues to inspire generations of poets, artists, and thinkers, and his impact on the American literary canon remains significant to this day.
His Influence
His celebration of the individual and the democratic spirit resonated with the emerging American identity and helped shape the literary landscape of the nation. Whitman’s impact extended beyond his own country, as his work inspired poets and writers around the world. His themes of democracy, equality, and the beauty of the human body transcended national borders and spoke to the universal human experience.
Works of Poetry
His influence can be seen in the works of poets such as Pablo Neruda, Allen Ginsberg, and Langston Hughes, who carried on his legacy of using poetry as a means of social and political commentary. Furthermore, Whitman’s exploration of sexuality and the human body challenged societal norms and paved the way for a more open and honest discussion of these topics in literature. His frank and sensual portrayal of love and desire broke down barriers and helped to destigmatize these aspects of human experience.
Power of Poetry
Whitman’s impact on the world of poetry continues to be felt to this day. His innovative use of language and form, his celebration of the individual and the democratic spirit, and his exploration of themes that are still relevant today have solidified his place as one of the most influential and important poets in American and world literature. His work remains a testament to the power of poetry to capture the essence of the human experience and to challenge and inspire readers for generations to come.
Year That Trembled and Reel’d Beneath Me
Year that trembled and reel’d beneath me!
Your summer wind was warm enough, yet the air I breathed froze me,
A thick gloom fell through the sunshine and darken’d me,
Must I change my triumphant songs? said I to myself,
Must I indeed learn to chant the cold dirges of the baffled?
And sullen hymns of defeat?Cavalry Crossing a Ford
Walt Whitman 1819-1892
- A line in long array where they wind betwixt green islands,
They take a serpentine course, their arms flash in the sun—hark to the musical clank,
Behold the silvery river, in it the splashing horses loitering stop to drink,
Behold the brown-faced men, each group, each person a picture, the negligent rest on the saddles,
Some emerge on the opposite bank, others are just entering the Ford—while,
Scarlet and blue and snowy white,
The guidon flags flutter gayly in the wind.
