At the height of his life, Walt Whitman was one of the most influential poets of the 19th century. His works have remained relevant to this day, even after his death in 1892, and he has been referred to as the ‘Father of Free Verse’. One of the questions that arise when studying him is “How tall was Walt Whitman?”.
In archives amongst the collection of letters and manuscripts concerning Walt Whitman there are reports that he was 6 foot tall. The height is also mentioned in Herbert Bergman’s biography, where it is specified as 183cm. This information is also supported by Frederick Douglas, who said he was “six feet in height”.
In a paper on Walt Whitman’s physical characteristics and performance, Aaron Altherr writes that Whitman was “remarkably tall with a nearly six-foot frame”. Altherr further states that the height was not just measured in inches, but also implicitly measured by his “public persona”. By this Altherr means that some of Whitman’s most famous works, namely Song of Myself, are written with a “grandiloquence and deep emotional sophistication” which can be attributed in part to his height.
If we look to Whitman’s contemporaries, one can see that Whitman was definitely considered tall for the time. Physically, Whitman was a large man for the 19th century, even reaching a size not seen until modern times. In a letter to his mother alone, Whitman mentions being tall nine times.
Some of the poems Whitman wrote about his height include Song of Myself and When I heard the learn’d Astronomer, where he is found talking about how small and insignificant he feels next to Nature. This idea of Whitman being physically small compared to the grandness of Nature is something that resonates in his works. He believed that Nature was greater than any one person and that his height was insignificant next to that.
To better understand the significance of Whitman’s height, we can look to James E. Miller Jr’s book, A Critical Guide to Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass. Here, Miller states that one of the “major themes” in Walt Whitman’s work is that of “power” and that his height was a key part of demonstrating this power. Miller also points out that the poems which focus more heavily on the idea of power are more often the works which contain references to Whitman’s own height. These poems are also the works which tend to be the most memorable of Whitman’s works.
Overall, it appears that Walt Whitman’s height was significantly greater than the average for that time period, measuring 6 foot tall. Though, it appears to have been much more than just a physical characteristic, as references to his height were usually accompanied by references to the power he was able to command. This suggests that Whitman himself felt that the power he had was in some way related to his height and physicality.
How Did Walt Whitman’s Height Impact His Work
Whitman’s stature, standing six-foot-tall, marked him as unusually monumental, and this physical peculiarity would affect all aspects of his work, from its content to its form. Whitman was one of the most prominent figures in American literature, being celebrated for his imaginative use of language and break from the traditional form of poetry. In some of his works, such as “Song of Myself” and “ When I heard the Learn’d Astronomer”, Whitman employs imagery of his own slight physical stature when compared to the grandness of nature. This imagery and the physical power it implies suggest that height is a factor in the personal power he felt he had.
In addition to his personal power, Whitman’s tall stature also lent itself to the physical and material power he held. Whitman’s contemporaries considered his height, together with his sturdy frame, to be remarkable and it is likely to have aided him in gaining recognition in his early career. Whitman had an admittedly swollen ego, but also a strong commitment to seeking and achieving success in his lifetime.
It could be argued that his tall stature allowed him to stand out from the others of his time, earning respect and interest from individuals he met. Whitman’s height, combined with his strong opinions, made him a strong figure in any company and his views, both political and literary, impacted the works he released. Whitman’s physique was a factor in the boldness of his writing and the breakthroughs he made in American literature.
How Has Walt Whitman’s Height Influenced Poetry Today
Whitman’s physical power, coupled with his ambition, made him one of the most influential figures in American literature. His works, namely the famous “Song of Myself”, would become an inspiration and touchstone for contemporary poets of all genres. Quite literally, the physical features that Whitman embodied have remained a prominent feature in modern poetry. Many poets, including William Carlos Williams, Ezra Pound and Charles Olson have used their size, or lack thereof, to inform and/or reflect on their work.
Indeed, it is likely that Whitman’s stature, though an outward physicality, has come to represent a certain kind of internal power. Be it expressed in the magnitude of his word choice or his ability to stretch the confines of traditional poetical form, this kind of power is alive and well in modern poetry. Whitman’s tall stature has come to represent the idea of what it means to be a powerful poet, with its physical power expressed within a superior poetic presence.
Building upon Whitman’s work, contemporary poets strive to make political statements, evoke emotional reactions and incite intellectual thought, just as Whitman sought to do in his time. His grand stature has not only influenced the physical characteristics of modern poets, but has also left its mark on their description of the physical world and a sense of humour in some poets’ work. It is true that Walt Whitman’s physical power has been transferred to a larger scope, that of the poetic landscape, and that it can still be seen today.
How Did People Perceive Walt Whitman Based On His Height
While Whitman himself did not attach a great deal of importance to his physical presence, the people he encountered did. For instance, when Whitman was visiting England in 1872, the people of Liverpool recognized him by his tall stature in a crowd of Englishmen. It was documented that people asked him about his height and remarked on what a “hulking” figure he was. It appears as though these people had an admiration for Whitman due to his physical magnitude.
Whitman’s health was also higher than any of his contemporaries, as his body was able to withstand more laborious activity. In addition, he often enjoyed riding horses and engaging in physical activity, all of which could be attributed to his tall stature. It can be assumed that many of the people he encountered felt that, due to his height, he must have been strong, capable and dominant person.
Whitman was not averse to taking advantage of his prominent presence, as he wrote in a letter to his brother, “I am 6 feet tall” – a phrase which he seemed to both celebrate and rely upon for recognition. Therefore, it is clear that Whitman’s height had a large impact on how other people perceived him, many of them presuming he had a special strength or power.
Conclusion
In summary, it appears that Walt Whitman’s physicality was an integral part of his presence and power. He was a tall 6 foot figure, which was uncommon for the time period and marked him as someone with a greater stature than most. His stature, along with his strong opinions, impacted all aspects of his work and he has managed to remain an influential poetic figure to this day. Through his works, Whitman has come to represent a certain kind of physical power which is still seen in the works of many contemporary poets.
