Walt Whitman, one of the most influential American poets of the nineteenth century, was born on May 31st, 1819, in West Hills, Long Island, New York. The youngest son of nine children, his family moved to Brooklyn and, eventually, to the rural town of Hempstead in Long Island.
The move to Hempstead changed Whitman’s life. He received his formal education from the Brooklyn Reading Room, but it was the local library in Hempstead which exposed him to the great thinkers and writers of the time, including Homer, Dante, and Shakespeare. Whitman was also inspired by the American Transcendentalist movement of the time, a movement which placed an emphasis on tuning into one’s inner self and nature.
Throughout his life, Whitman moved back and forth from Long Island to Brooklyn and, as his career flourished, also to Manhattan. In 1855, Whitman wrote “Leaves of Grass,” a collection of twelve untitled poems. This collection is considered to be Whitman’s most important work, introducing the concept of free verse in poetry and the idea that poetry is a transformational and spiritual experience.
His impact on America was profound and his work has been hailed as the foundation of modern American poetry. His followers praised him for his bold choices in both form and content. His writing style became known as “Whitmanesque”—a brand of writing characterized by passionate personalism and philosophical musings on human nature.
The cityscape of nineteenth century New York was changing rapidly due to industrialization and the influx of immigrants from Europe. This change was reflected in Whitman’s poetry and his musings on the city and its inhabitants. While his work sometimes focused on the death and despair unleashed by industrialization, Whitman also looked for inspiring moments, taking pleasure in accomplishments, progress, and joy.
Despite leaving New York for long periods of time, Long Island was always home to Whitman. He called it “my paradise”and often referenced the region in his poetry. In 1891, he moved back to the area and eventually died in a home in Camden, New Jersey, which was close to his birthplace in Long Island.
Influence of Transcendentalism
The American Transcendentalist movement played a big role in shaping Whitman’s work and his life. Transcendentalism was a religious and philosophical movement that originated in New England in the mid-19th century. It was based on the belief that knowledge could be gained only through “transcendental” means, such as intuition and direct experience. The movement celebrated the beauty and power of nature, emphasizing the interconnectedness of living things.
Whitman avidly studied the works of Emerson and Thoreau, two of the most influential Transcendentalist thinkers. He was attracted to their Romantic writings that emphasized emotion, intuition, and spiritual exploration. Whitman found a resonance between their words and his own, and the impact they had shaped his views of society and his writing.
Transcendentalism made such a deep impression on Whitman that statements of its principles appear in most of his poems. His work frequently reflects his fascination with the movement and its philosophies. Nature, for instance, is a recurring theme in his work and he often uses metaphors of nature to explore philosophical themes.
The influence of Transcendentalism is also evident in Whitman’s celebration of individualism, his embrace of racial and sexual equality, and his humanitarian beliefs. His willingness to look beyond conventions and challenge traditional morality set him apart from many of his contemporaries.
Public Reception to Walt Whitman’s Work
Although Whitman’s work attracted many admirers, it also faced significant criticism for its unconventional style, content, and subject matter. Critics bemoaned his lack of structure and the overt sexuality of some of his work. In addition, some praised his work but doubted its importance, arguing that it was too obscure, too obscure to have a meaningful effect on society.
Despite the criticism and the doubts, Whitman’s influence was undeniable. The publication of “Leaves of Grass” in 1855 sparked a new enthusiasm for poetry, especially among the working classes who, until then, had been largely excluded from the literary world. His frank and honest style spoke to the aspirations and struggles of people, both in his own time and today.
Whitman’s work also resonated in the academies, where esteemed writers and thinkers of the time such as Ralph Waldo Emerson and Henry David Thoreau began to view him as an equal. His influence reached beyond the United States, and he was held in high regard in Europe and Latin America. Transcendentalist ideas were popularized by Whitman and he was seen as a leader of cultural transformation.
Whitman’s Relationship With Abraham Lincoln
Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and Whitman’s work was said to have been formative in Lincoln’s philosophy. In his youth, Lincoln was an avid reader and was greatly influenced by Whitman’s writing. After meeting Whitman in 1860, Lincoln wrote “Leaves of Grass” in his signature as a kind of tribute not only to Whitman, but also to the America that was re-emerging.
After the outbreak of the Civil War, Whitman wrote about the impact of the conflict on the soldiers, both in their suffering and their courage. It is said that his writing provided solace to Lincoln, who admired his unflinching honesty and passionate conviction in the face of tremendous adversity.
Famous poet, Walt Whitman, has left an indelible mark on American culture and literature. His works chronicle the optimism and tumult of the 19th century America, providing a window into a time of transformation. From his humble beginnings in Long Island, to his meetings with President Lincoln, Whitman remains one of the most influential writers of America.
Influence of Technology on Whitman’s Writing
The nineteenth century was a time of significant technological advancements, and Whitman was keenly interested in these new technologies. He was particularly fascinated by steam power and was drawn to the analogy of human creativity and steam power.
Whitman frequently referred to steam power in his work, using it as a metaphor for energy and drive. He believed that, like steam power, human creativity and imagination could break down walls and open the door to possibility. In many of his poems he speaks about harnessing energy, which he believed was central to achieving greatness.
Whitman also incoporated new technologies into his writing. He used the telegraph to keep in touch with his friends and family while he traveled, and he also embraced new printing technologies. He was an early adopter of lithography and photogravure, which enabled him to widely distribute his work.
It is clear that Whitman was deeply influenced by the advances in technology during his lifetime. His interest in the new machines of the day fed his writing and his understanding of the power inherent in creativity.
Critical Interpretations of Whitman’s Work
In addition to being widely admired, Whitman’s work has also been subject to intense scrutiny and criticism. His groundbreaking use of free verse has been lauded by many as a revolutionary approach to poetry. However, it has also been criticized for being too chaotic and lacking structure.
Many commentators have responded to his writings with a range of reactions. Some have admired the daring themes of love, death and sexuality which he introduced in “Leaves of Grass”. Others have deemed it too risqué and dismissed his work as controversial and immoral.
More contemporary critics have focused on Whitman’s subtle use of language and his ability to generate delight, surprise, and insight. They have noted how Whitman preferred to paint images with his words rather than using obvious, sentimental language. This has allowed readers to interpret his work in myriad ways.
Whether celebrated or denounced, Whitman’s work has earned its place as a revered part of American literature, inspiring poets in our culture today.
