Individualism, as quoted from Webster's Dictionary, is "A belief in the importance of the individual and the virtue of self-reliance and personal independence." Being a writer of individualism means that there are unique and new ideas expressed to impact others. Writers in the first half of this course have expressed a concern for individualism. Three of these writers this semester are Walt Whitman, Henry James, and Robert Frost.
             Walt Whitman shows a sense of individuality within the two poems, "Song of Myself", and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd". Whitman writes his poems in such a way that he lets the reader know his own belief behind the actual words of the poem. In "Song of Myself", Whitman uses the belief in himself or any "self" to illustrate his points. With this poem, Whitman deals with existence itself and identified it with every member of his audience. As we read this poem, it is clear that the themes are universal; the nature of the self in relation to the meaning and purpose of birth and death. The opening of this poem expresses Whitman's American idealism and confidence in the innate value of the individual. He says, "I celebrate myself, and sing myself, and what I assume you shall assume, for every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you" (40). "Song of Myself" also shows that death is a natural part of the cycle of life.
             In "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", Whitman uses the death of a public figure to show his grief and despair in a world very chaotic and full of war. In this poem, Whitman discovers the best way to mourn a public figure. This shows his individuality because he eventually changes his mind near the middle of the poem. He decides that although there is great respect for President Lincoln, there must be the same amount of respect for all of those who have lost ...