Life and Poetry of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman is considered one of the greatest American poets, with works that are studied and admired by literary enthusiasts worldwide. He is the author of the insightful and illuminating collection of poems known as Leaves of Grass, an album which is often cited as one of the most influential bodies of work in American literature. His achievements, however, extend far beyond the realm of literature; it could also be argued that Whitman was a social reformer, who found great inspiration in his native country and used his writings as a tool for creating change.
Born in 1819, on a farm in the small American town of West Hills, Long Island, Whitman was incredibly perceptive of the events that were unfolding all around him. From a young age, he was deeply moved by the battles between the North and South during the Civil War, events that informed, and to many extent, changed his evolving version of his Leaves of Grass. In his poetry, Whitman sought to convey the essence of modern America: its beauty, its struggle, and its grandeur. He wrote about the magnificence of the United States and its natural wonders, everything from the shorelines of Maine to the San Francisco Bay.
In his pieces, Whitman celebrates the might of the United States as a nation and at the same time, he expresses sadness and frustration as he witnesses firsthand the struggles of the country and its people. Though many of his works appear resigned and melancholic, there remains a thread of optimism and hope that is woven throughout that suggests that even in the face of great turmoil, humankind will find a way to survive. We can see this underlying message in his widely-quoted poem O Captain, My Captain, in which Whitman pays homage to the recently assassinated President Abraham Lincoln.
The usage of syntactically powerful language is another quality that marks Whitman’s style as particularly special. By incorporating long lines and creative metaphors, Whitman captured the language of the common people and enhanced it, articulating the nation’s eccentricities as well as its monotonies. We can see this approach most clearly in his legendary line of free verse, “I celebrate myself, and sing myself.”
It is fair to say that Walt Whitman has had a profound impact on the literary world – both for those who read his works, and for the generations of poets that followed him. He is without a doubt one of the key figures in the modern American poetic canon and has been an inspiration for writers, thinkers and even activists since the beginning of his writing career in the mid-19th century.
Themes of Whitman’s Poetry
A closer look at Whitman’s featured works reveals much about the poet and the kinds of topics he was drawn to discuss. While many of his works are romantic and full of optimism, there are certain strands which emerge consistently in his work, much of which deals with reform movements and the redemptive potential of democracy.
The strong thread of self-discovery is also a prominent theme in his writing, as many of his poems feature characters who, through self-reflection, come to an understanding of who they are and what kind of place they occupy in the world. This search for identity is also reflected in Whitman’s writing style, which is often playful and full of experimentation.
Among his most elaborate works is a compilation of poems known as Calamus, which was included in the second edition of Leaves of Grass. It is here that Whitman explores the idea of “theself”, a concept that delicately weaves a thread between one’s sense of self and their connection to the greater world. In this work, Whitman also addresses issues of human rights and suggests that the unnatural divisions between peoples resulting from slavery and discrimination should be erased.
Another recurring theme throughout Whitman’s oeuvre is his obsession with the eternal. While some might argue that his views are limited to those of a utopian dreamer, it should also be noted that this theme of the eternal offers a much-needed respite from some of the more desolate elements of his work. Here, Whitman often eulogizes nature and human emotion, offering a much-needed glimmer of hope and harmony.
Whitman’s Legacy
Throughout his career, Whitman was well-received by his readers, and he quickly gained a dedicated following both in the United States and across the globe. This bolstered his self-confidence and, in turn, his ability to write even more powerful and complex pieces.
Since his death in 1892, however, Whitman has become one of the most widely studied poets in the United States, with his collected works being regularly translated into numerous languages and taught in classes across the country.
Today, scholars and literary critics continue to marvel at the complexity and range of Whitman’s output, as well as the way in which he seemed to capture the very essence of the still-evolving America.
Given the breadth and range of his writing, it’s no wonder that Whitman himself considered his creation— Leaves of Grass — to be his masterpiece.
Modern Interpretations of Whitman’s Writings
While Whitman’s works are primarily viewed through the lens of classic American literature, modern interpretations of his writings often focus on the themes of individualism, freedom, and democracy which were so critical of Whitman’s body of work.
Older works, such as “Song of Myself”, are often seen as being centrally preoccupied with the idea of personal identity and its ties to the greater idea of democracy, with Whitman striving to show that in a nation built by such vast and varied lifestyles, democracy is still capable of providing freedom to all its constituents.
Similarly, more contemporary authors have used Whitman’s conceptualization of democracy as a lens through which to explore ideas on the meaning of true freedom. In the poem “O Me! O Life!”, Whitman poses questions which appear to lament the undignified state of human existence, but also serve to explore the redemptive potential of democracy as a means of connecting with one another. Modern interpretations of this work often focus on the ways in which Whitman suggests that freedom and democracy are intertwined and ultimately dependent on each other.
It is clear, then, that Walt Whitman and his incredibly meaningful works continue to inform the field of literature even today. His writings not only direct attention towards the power of the individual but their ability to shape the destiny of entire nations. As such, Whitman’s works continue to be studied, experienced and enjoyed for the insights they provide into the United States’ past, present and future.
Relevance of Walt Whitman Today
The relevance of Whitman’s works is especially palpable in the modern-day discourse concerning social reform and the power of the individual. Much of what he said in the late 19th century is just as true today, if not more so. From the civil rights movement to the #MeToo movement, citizens of America have proven, time and time again, that the power of a united front and the strength of solidarity can bring about monumental change.
Whitman’s works also address issues of freedom and justice in a way that is still said to be exceptionally moving and incredibly relevant. His concept of democracy transcends narrow interpretations of the word and considers the idea from a much broader perspective, exploring how true freedom can be attained and how society can still be seen as a unified whole.
A multifaceted thinker, Whitman’s ideas are as vast and varied as America itself. As such, his pieces are often considered to be canonical works for those looking to better understand the nation and its future. Moreover, by representing the collective angst of his generation, Whitman sheds light on a range of societal issues that are just as true today as they were centuries ago.
Conclusion
Overall, Walt Whitman and his works have been, and will continue to be, studied and cherished by the literary community and beyond. He fills readers with hope, wonder, and appreciation for the complexities, freedoms, and inequalities of American democracy. His works provide insight into what America was and what it can, and should, continue to be.
