Walt Whitman burst upon the literary scene in 1855 with the first publication of Leaves of Grass. The world of literature would never be the same again. Whitman sang a song of America, but as Kenneth Price's study shows, Whitman's words have taken on a life of their own.
"Seeking Whitman," Price says, in To Walt Whitman, America, "one can find him everywhere." His words appear in speeches, films, books, and beyond. In their various forms, his words have influenced the works of Edith Wharton, D.H. Lawrence, John Dos Passos, and others. He stands as a model for every American. He is broad and all-encompassing, incorporating the best (and the worst) that is America.
Explore Walt Whitman, and his works!
Comments
You have actually inspired me to pull out my old copy of “Leaves of Grass”.
I think that at one time or another I have read all his finished poems, indeed they are on my bookcase. He has to be America’s greatest poet.
I disagree with Martin. I adore Emily Dickinson and am not a fan of Whitman (funny enough, nor was she). Certainly, he *writes* of America yet I find his poetry lacking in an indefinable “something”. Beyond that, I must own I disapprove of him in general. At any rate, I much prefer English literature to American. Cheers!
Em, I just saw your post. I know what you mean, and I am a massive fan of Emily Dickinson. To me though she doesn’t fall into a category of great American Poets – albeit she is American. Emily Dickinson isn’t the only American poet who really transcends that description – her poetry is more than America, it encompasses much more, she is a just a great poet, who could come from any country. That sounds a bit naff, but for me that means she is one of the world’s greats, and not just the greatest for a certain country.