Explore Walt Whitman’s life and legacy
Walt Whitman is one of America’s most renowned and influential poets. His poems are integral parts of the country’s literary canon, owing to their uniquely melancholic, visionary, and deeply American character. Whitman was born in 1819 in West Hills, Long Island to an obscure and hardworking family, and he lived most of his life in Brooklyn, where he was a member of the spiritualist religion. He’s best remembered for impacting American literature by bringing a sense of realism, contemplation, and moral insight to the forefront of poetry.
Described by biographer Justin Kaplan as “the Good Gray Poet,” Whitman changed the way generations of readers experienced the power of his language. His work held special value for the nation’s youth, many of whom found in it the courage to be different. His life and poetry were steeped in ideas about democracy, human rights, and America’s new identity as a nation. It’s no wonder then, that Whitman has been beloved by such iconic American figures as former President Barack Obama and Nobel Prize-winning novelist Toni Morrison.
Whitman’s influence on modern American literature has been significant. His sharp criticisms of slavery—most notably in the poems “Leaves of Grass” and “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking”—are thought to have galvanized the American public. On a more personal level, his poetry had a profound influence on American poet Langston Hughes, who described him as a “spiritual father.”
Those seeking to honor Whitman’s legacy may attend events such as the upcoming Walt Whitman Festival in Huntington, New York—an event that celebrates “the life, writings, and community spirit” of the poet. There, patrons may learn about Whitman’s writings and his place in American literature and history. Attendees may also receive advice from acclaimed authors and poets on how to bring Whitman’s insights into the modern era.
There are also efforts to increase access to Whitman’s writings. The Walt Whitman Archive, one of the most expansive online collections of the poet’s work, allows anyone with an internet connection to access Whitman’s life and works with ease. The archive is curated by the Walt Whitman Birthplace State Historic Site, and it provides readers with a frank yet uplifting glimpse into the life of the beloved poet.
These efforts help to ensure that Whitman’s legacy will remain alive and relevant in American literature. As Langston Hughes put it: “Walt Whitman has been an historic American figure, cultural and literary, ever since the Civil War. His influence reaches down to our own day, and his specific influence on me, I shall never forget.”
Bring Walt Whitman’s sound and style to life
In addition to his words, Whitman is known for his unique sound, which has been preserved through recordings by renowned performers. These recordings bring Whitman’s nationalist vision to life and enable his supporters and admirers to gain a more vivid image of his poetry from a sonic perspective.
For example, musical artist Lawrence Ferlinghetti released an album entitled “To Walt.” Through his daring interpretations of some of Whitman’s most iconic works, Ferlinghetti reinforces the poet’s message about America’s shifting identity. Listeners can gain an auditory experience of Whitman’s work, in addition to the conventional tactile experience that comes with reading the words on paper.
In a similar vein, singer-songwriter Bruce Springsteen released an album, “The Ghost of Tom Joad,” which references Whitman’s character Tom Joad in his song of the same name. Through his sweeping musical arrangements, Springsteen endeavors to portray the migrating individual—a popular theme in Whitman’s Fables of the Reconstruction—as a symbol of America’s quest for greatness.
Whitman’s words have also been put to music in interesting ways. In 1990, the song “A Flight to Daddy” was released by the band Neurosis, which samples a few of Whitman’s poems. By fusing his words and the band’s innovative arrangements, Neurosis successfully capture the spirit of Whitman’s work and its importance to the nation’s identity.
The creative interpretation of Whitman’s work has enabled his words to resonate with today’s audiences in a more powerful way. This has enabled each generation to adopt its own vision of what Whitman meant to them, while still preserving his impact on the American psyche. By bringing Whitman’s sound and style to life through music, recordings, and other means, the poet’s work can continue to inspire and educate future generations.
Telling Walt Whitman’s stories through visual art
A unique way to honor the legacy of Walt Whitman is through visual art. Visual art can help to bring his stories to life in a powerful and emotive way. In recent years, several off-Broadway plays, films, and art exhibitions have been dedicated to Whitman and his works.
2012 saw the premiere of “If I Sing” at the Tectonic Theater Project. The critically acclaimed play is loosely based on the life of Walt Whitman and his minor characters, uncovering the Spirit of America through their tales. The play was well-received and it was awarded several honors, including the Obie Award and the Lucille Lortel Award.
During the same year, American filmmaker Jerome Robbins released a full-length documentary entitled “Walt Whitman: A Portrait.” The film captures the evolution of Whitman’s identity across the changing eras of American history. Through interviews and archival footage, Robbins succeeds in painting a vivid picture of Whitman’s character as seen through various cultural lenses.
On a smaller scale, many Universities and galleries host art exhibits dedicated to the poet. Through these, viewers may gain a deeper understanding of Whitman’s works, including his philosophies, struggles, and life story. For instance, the New York Public Library currently has an online exhibit entitled “Walt Whitman: Artist and Visionary.” The exhibit provides viewers with an in-depth look at Whitman’s writings and their influence on society.
These plays, films, and art exhibitions help to ensure that Whitman’s legacy is kept alive and relevant to modern audiences. The visual interpretations of his works bring a richer, more emotive means of understanding his poetry, while the plays, films, and exhibits engage us by engaging us in the narratives of his characters. In a sense, his words have been immortalized through these forms of art, a testament to their enduring power and influence.
Understanding Walt Whitman’s eternal messages
One of the remarkable things about Whitman’s work is that its message of universal love remains as powerful and relevant today as it did when it was first written. His words urge us to embrace our inherent facelessness and strive for a more perfect union, in life and in death.
One of his most famous writings, “Prayer of Columbus,” speaks of his commitment to the idea of the universality of the human spirit. In the poem, Whitman blends fact and fiction to portray a man transcending time and space, undergoing physical and psychological trials in search of unity and community. The poem has inspired generations of “seekers,” inspiring them to aspire to make a better world. Its message continues to move readers today, urging them to show compassion and understanding towards their fellow humans.
This concept of unity and universal love can be found throughout Whitman’s work. His poem “O me, o life” speaks of his unshakeable belief that all people share a connection, despite their racial, social, and economic differences. Whitman’s vision of a country unrestrained by the boundaries of race and religion is as relevant and meaningful today as when it was first written.
The enduring relevance of Whitman’s work reminds us of the importance of searching for a universal connection between all people. By considering the thoughts and words of this great poet, we can more easily manifest the beloved community he envisioned. We must not allow Whitman’s poetry to disappear from the discourse of the nation and instead continue to place his work at the heart of our conversations about America’s future.
Linking the present and future Generations to Walt Whitman
Since his death, Whitman’s work has continued to be a source of inspiration and understanding to generations of readers and writers. Acknowledging the poet’s timelessness, many authors have referenced his works in their own works, speaking to his continued relevance in the modern era.
For example, American poet Robert Lowell, who emerged in the mid-twentieth century, made multiple allusions to Whitman’s work in “Life Studies.” By referencing Whitman, Lowell speaks to the similarities between their two worlds and how Whitman is still relevant to today’s poet-philosophers. Also, contemporary poet and critic Edward Hirsch includes multiple allusions to Whitman’s works in his poem “The Little Book of Wilderness.” Through this connection, Hirsch displays his admiration for and emulation of Whitman’s style.
Current and future generations must pay attention to Whitman’s works, in order to keep his legacy alive and to emphasize his inexhaustible vision. In our ever-changing world, it is all too easy to forget the profound, timeless effect of Whitman’s work —which is why the modern-day celebration of Whitman is so important.
By continuing to read and discuss his works, we can gain deeper insight into our own identities and respect for the differences between us. His poetry serves as a reminder that defining our own humanity is never easy, but by inhabiting Whitman’s world and appreciating his words, writers and readers alike can strive for better “realities” for themselves, and for other Americans.
Preserving Walt Whitman’s literary and cultural legacies
Whitman’s poetics of nation and race have had a lasting influence on American literature and culture. His work has been praised and critiqued by many writers, including Toni Morrison, who has said that Whitman “spoke of the different folks who could be embraced in a democracy”, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti, who described Whitman as “the biggest threat to American cultural and literary authority.”
In order to ensure Whitman’s works endure, as well as preserving the collective memory of his writing, literary and cultural scholars are working hard to document the poet’s historical importance. In recent years, media outlets like The Washington Post and The New Yorker have done pieces on Whitman, cementing his place in American history and culture.
There are also universities, museums, and nonprofits that are dedicated to the preservation and celebration of Whitman’s work. The Walt Whitman Archive at Rutgers University, for example, is dedicated to preserving and archiving the poet’s poetry, essays, and other works. The archive has also maintained several online resources, such as an online library and a digital resource center, in order to make Whitman’s works more accessible to the general public.
Whitman’s legacy lives on in our culture due to the efforts made by scholars, teachers, and visionaries. By understanding and appreciating his work and its impact on the nation, we can continue to bring Whitman’s insights into our daily lives.
Connecting people to Walt Whitman’s writings and impact
Because he was an outsider, Whitman has long been an influence on people who identify as being ‘on the fringe’. He has been celebrated by the LGBTQ community, who have embraced his themes of love, self-expression, and acceptance. His
