Walt WHitman
Walt Whitman was looked upon as the forerunner of 20th Century poetry, praising democracy, and becoming a proclaimed poet of American democracy. He was known as the "Son of Long Island," and he loved his country and everything about it. (Current, Williams, Freidel- page 292-293). Whitman lived during the time of the Civil War; a fact that increased his patriotism. Whitman was considered one of the most important American Poets of the 19th Century. (Encyclopedia of World Biography- page 249). He influenced the direction of 20th Century poets such as Erza Pound, William Carlos Williams, Carlos Sandberg, and Allen Ginsberg.Whitman praised democracy and spoke of the flesh as well as the spirit. (Encyclopedia of Biography- page 249). He rejected the normal rhyme and meter of poetry and wrote in free verse, relying on Native American language. In general, Whitman's poetry is idealistic and romantic.Whitman identified strongly with the outcasts of society. He said to one outcast, "Not till the sun excludes you do I exclude you." (Lowen, Nancy- page 11) People hailed him as the most authentic voice of the United States of America. Edgar Allen Poe had said, "The vitality and variety of his life was the mere reflection of
This was where he collected his feelings for his book. O'Sullivan, was so impressed with Whitman and his work, he bought at least three more stories from Whitman that very same autumn for the magazine. The poet's love for his country grew from his faith that Americans might reach new worldly and spiritual heights. This was made into as a recruiting poem for the Union. " New York: Gale Research Publications, 1998. (Encyclopedia of World Biography- page 251). Yet, the world was not ready for Whitman's celebration of the human body and spirit, nor for his candor, brilliance, and prophetic view. These factors would later aid him in publishing his own work, especially his first book of poems, Leaves of Grass in 1855. He walked among men, among writers, among verbal varnishers and veneerers, among literary milliners and tailors, with the unconscious majesty of an antique God. His friend said these words of praise to illustrate how Whitman was truly a great man. Sometimes the narrator was the poet himself. At his funeral, a friend had said, "[Whitman was] A great man, a great American, the most eminent citizen of this Republic. On his birthday, he wrote letters to soldiers he helped during the war.
Common topics in this essay:
Lowen Nancy-,
Whitman American,
World Biography-,
Kaplan Justin-,
United America,
Leaves Grass,
Civil War,
Orville III-,
Williams Freidel-,
Child Forth,
lowen nancy-,
world biography-,
nancy- page,
encyclopedia world,
lowen nancy- page,
encyclopedia world biography-,
biography- page,
world biography- page,
walt whitman,
kaplan justin-,
united america,
leaves grass,
civil war,
kaplan justin- page,
orville iii- page,
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Acceptance Essays
