Walt Whitman: The Enigma of Sexuality
Walt Whitman, the great American poet of the 19th century, is an enigma even today. He wrote some of the most influential works in American literature, and yet his works, especially those around sexuality, are some of the most contested. Whitman’s beautiful odes to love and his language of homosexuality, masking as expressions of platonic adoration, have caused some to speculate whether he was homosexual himself.
His open embrace of sexuality, together with his seclusion from the public had led to a wide variety of assumptions surrounding his personal life. Walt Whitman’s journal entries and poems displayed an open awareness for difference in sexual orientation. His works, especially ‘Calamus’ and ‘Salut au Monde’, are often interpreted as having subsumed homosexual overtones. However, the real challenges come from his resistance to be labelled in the categories of orientation rooted in his Victorian era, which he often qualitatively rejected.
H.D Scarl, the highly acclaimed Whitman scholar, wrote in her book ‘Whitman and Homosexuality’ that Walt Whitman was ‘simultaneously heterosexual, homosexual, and bisexual at the same time’. This statement by Scarl serves as a reminder that Whitman was not bound by traditional definitions of sexual orientation, but rather he saw and expressed sex and romance in a way that was authentically different.
While some of Whitman’s works are personal and intimate in structure, they are difficult to categorise definitively as either homosexual or heterosexual. Regardless of his sexual orientation, there is no denying his essential contribution to highlighting the aspects of universal love. His works also show a genuine appreciation for all levels of intimacy, regardless of gender or identity.
When discussing Whitman’s sexuality, his critics put his writings alone under scrutiny and devote little attention to the actual realities of his life. Although. Whitman is believed to have had a few same-sex relationships, he never publicly acknowledged them. Therefore, there is no reason to conclude that he was indeed gay or bisexual.
Meredith Skura in her essay ‘Whitman and Homosexuality’ states, “Though Whitman and other figures of homosexual expression can be located in the homosexual subculture of nineteenth-century America, there is no evidence explicitly to connect Whitman to it”. She goes further to argue that it is unfair for Whitman to be judged by twentieth-century ethical standards.
Overall, it can be said that Walt Whitman was ahead of his time and pushed boundaries through his works, which have today had an impact on literature and culture. He was a complex individual and, to this day, has surprised scholars who, try to pin him down to a single sexual orientation.
The Cultural Impact of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman has had an everlasting impact on culture and has even become a symbol to some extent. He liberated millions of people to be free, no matter how they identified themselves or who they chose to love. His works of poetry inspired various artists, writers, and many eminent figures. Thousands of songs, poems, and remix songs have been created that encapsulate his essence, sparking conversations around suppressed issues of human sexuality.
He supported causes for a more open world, which allowed the oppressed and outcast find comfort in his works. Through his works, he pioneered the push to revoke taboos and liberate individuals from the confines of traditional ideas of gender and expression of sexuality. This was a step forward in the ongoing struggle for LGBTQ rights.
The contemporary version of Walt Whitman’s poetry speaks to readers belonging to different generations and fosters feelings of emotional connection with the readers. His words have been used in a variety of contexts, from marriage ceremonies to protests. His wider acceptance undeniably stem from his works challenging the societal norm and giving the LGBTQ+ community a voice.
Whitman’s works also paved the way for many great authors on queer literature and helped challenge outdated views around the LGBTQ+ community. His life has served as an inspiration to various philosophers, artists, and even politicians.
The Unseen Intimacies of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman is known for openly expressing topics on sexuality, both strong and subtle tones of intimacy and love, in an expression of freedom between two individuals, regardless of their gender or orientation. Much of his works feature themes around love, fraternity, and death, that go beyond the traditional heterosexual norms of love and sex at his time.
Authors that explored Whitman’s works, such as Henry James and Oscar Wilde, expressed admiration for the fluidity of the constructions of relationships in Whitman’s writing. His odes to intense love, experienced by those of the same sex, often disguised other underlying themes of identification and desire. For instance, Whitman wrote two letters to Peter Doyle, expressing his sorrows and his need to be embraced by him.
Research still continues on the construction of Walt Whitman’s own identities and understanding his works as an expression of his intimate universe. Whitman’s works are considered a prelude to the modern civil rights movements and a celebration of a new era of freedom for lovers, regardless of sexuality and orientation. Consequently, he remains a lasting, powerful influence in the world of literature.
The Eroticism of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman openly embraced eroticism in his works, often sparing no details when it came to intimate moments and relationships between two individuals, regardless of if they were of the same sex or opposite sex. In his poem ‘Calamus’ he explored the many facets of erotica and the nuanced meanings of love and sex. The poem also documented Whitman’s innermost thoughts and challenges the heteronormative definitions of erotic desire, as seen in the Victorian era.
His works were considered so daring that language in some places was edited out and censored, both in the United States and overseas. For instance, in ‘Leaves of Grass’, the mention of male relationships with other males was removed or softened, only adding to the intrigue. Another example, in ‘Calamus’, the line ‘I am for those who believe in loose delights’ was changed to ‘I am for those who believe in love delights’, serving to disguise the heat of Whitman’s original passion.
Even today, Whitman’s works are bold, energetic, and visually stimulating, making them relevant to emerging contemporary sexual initiatives, including those involving same-sex relationships. His exploration of sexual pleasure acknowledges not only the joys of sex but also the hidden and mystical drives associated with them.
The Blossoming of Walt Whitman
Walt Whitman was a true pioneer, revolutionising literature by questioning traditional notions of gender and sexual expression. His works popularised the idea of a new generation, which saw the outcast embraced, and relationships of all types celebrated, leaving behind the limitations of traditional Victorian sexual uniformity.
Whitman’s works are thought-provoking, and despite the speculation around his own sexual orientation, his legacy was and still is one of liberation and identity, as seen in the public’s embrace of his works for all these years. He was truly ahead of his time, raising questions that many were scared to answer or bring up even in the last century.
Whitman composed his works sometimes with a deceptive simplicity, conveying complex emotions of love and longing, which is seen in the decade’s after his death in efforts to create social acceptance for those of all orientations and gender identities. As a result, Walt Whitman is still seen as a beacon of liberation and open conversation across the world.
The Relevancy of Walt Whitman Today
Walt Whitman’s works have transcended time, creating strong connections with the generation of today and the generations before. His works have been a beacon of freedom and love, providing a backcloth of artistically rich literature for those looking for identity. He has inspired many authors, poets, and individuals for all these years.
Today, people of all genders and sexual orientations can draw inspiration from Walt Whitman’s works and find a sense of identity. His works have laid the foundation for modern queer literature, and despite being written over a century ago, remain relevant even today.
We can now see Whitman’s dedication to the cause of freedom, and his deep understanding of love and intimate relationships between two individuals, in the marriage ceremonies, protests, and milestones of the LGBTQ+ communities. His presence, love, and erotica continue to linger in literature.
Consequently, Walt Whitman’s works will still remain an important aspect of American literature, giving strength to generations, and breaking boundaries of sexuality, religion, and stereotypes.
