Walt Whitman (stop at 6:50)

Click to listen to audio clip

Influence of Emerson

• Drew upon ideas from Emerson– American Individualism; intuitive faith; spiritual

potential; belief and trust in democracy and common people

• Whitman was, as he later said, “simmering,” and Emerson’s ideas brought him to a “boil”

• A man that speaks for himself speaks for us all– “I celebrate myself, And what I assume you shall

assume…”

His poetry

• Whitman argued poetry must embrace every aspect of life

• Celebrated and criticized post war age– Valuable expression of American nationalism– Deplorable materialism that corrupts democratic

values• Language of his poetry was vivid and confusing

with its rapid shifts from abstractions to personal revelations

• Voice of poetry was democratic---individuals speak out freely and directly to the audience

• “New” poetry– Discarded traditional form and structure

(favored free verse)

• Emphasizes all of the senses, especially touch

Leaves of Grass

• On-going collection of poems throughout Whitman’s life

• 1855 originally published; expanded edition in 1856

• Some of the new poems reflected his experiences caring for wounded soldiers and his reaction to the assassination of Lincoln

How do Romantic writers reconcile individual freedom

with social responsibility?• Emerson rejected society

• Melville questioned individualism

• Whitman encompasses self & mass in a universal love

“Song of Myself”

• What are 4 themes (one from each selection) that illustrate transcendental influences?

• Pg. 353 (4, 6, 7, 8)

“One’s-Self I Sing”

• What distinction does Whitman make in the 2nd stanza between physiology and physiognomy?

• Who is Modern Man?

• Is this still true today or different in some way?

“I Hear America Singing”

• Listen to “40 Hour Week” by Alabama

• What is the tone of this poem?

• What theme is being reinforced here?

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“When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer”

• This poem reinforces an idea from Thoreau (and Emerson too).

– What is it?

Whitman’s War Poems

Whitman was an ardent abolitionist and a strong believer in the Union cause. When war came, he recognized it as a national tragedy that would soon outstrip the partisan aims of either side and would leave no aspect of life unscathed.

• “Beat! Beat! Drums!”

• “A March in the Ranks Hard-Prest, and the Road Unknown”

• “Reconciliation”

“Beat! Beat! Drums!”

What is Whitman’s attitude about the Civil War? Cite words, phrases, and linesHow do the first lines of each stanza contrast with those that follow them? (Structure of the words)---pg 360 (2,3)

“A March in the Ranks Hard-Prest, and the Road Unknown”

Reaction/Reflection• Does this poem

apply to war today? The entire poem? Only sections? Consider the symbolism of the last line.

• Pg 360 (1,2)

“Reconciliation”

• To Whitman, is reconciliation possible or even necessary? Cite lines.

• Is this possible in wartime today?• What must man recognize once war is over?• What does this poem suggest about unity,

Whitman’s overall theme?