Walt Whitman Walter "Walt" Whitman was an American poet‚ essayist‚ journalist and humanist. He was born on May 31‚ 1819‚ the second son of nine children‚ of Walter Whitman‚ and Louisa Van Velsor. They lived in Brooklyn and Long Island in the 1820s and 1830s. At the age of twelve‚ Whitman began to learn the printer’s trade. Largely self-taught‚ he read voraciously‚ becoming acquainted with the works of Homer‚ Dante‚ Shakespeare‚ and the Bible. Whitman worked as a printer in New York City until
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Walt Whitman “Spontaneous Me” “Walt Whitman revolutionized American Poetry” (Norton 2190). A statement made by many‚ in which the American society can agree upon. His bold style of writing grasps the reader into a world where nature and sexuality meet. Whitman’s collection entitled Leaves of Grass was published in 1855 to a nation barely accepting of new ideas (Oakes). During the time of slavery and great religious value‚ Whitman’s pieces were considered immoral‚ traitorous and were often banned
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Walt Whitman became known as a truly American poet through experiencing and writing about the nation in its early years. Born on May 31‚ 1819 in Long Island. His draw towards writing began in his early childhood when he apprenticed for the Long Island Patriot newspaper. He became a teacher in New York then turned back to newsprint‚ creating his own company The Long-Islander‚ and in 1855‚ published his first poetry anthology Leaves of Grass. Then the Civil War occurred and Whitman‚ in New York hospitals
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Walt Whitman and the Civil War Walt Whitman is considered one of America’s greatest poets. During his lifetime‚ Whitman wrote hundreds of poems about life‚ love and democracy‚ among many others. In particular‚ Whitman’s poetry reflects the spirit of the age in which he lived‚ the Civil War. In taking a closer look at one of his most renowned and brilliant pieces‚ “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d”‚ three particular themes are observed; his love for nature‚ the cycle of life‚ as represented
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Walt Whitman is a poet from the 1800s that has written a book called “Leaves of Grass”. The poetry collections contained in this book consist mostly of Whitman’s personal experiences; however‚ there are poems that have themes such as death and democracy. In his collection “Drum Taps” Whitman speaks about the Civil War and its effects on the American people. Many scholars‚ and myself believe that throughout this collection he changes his tone. Leslie Jamison says that critics have dismissed Walt Whitman’s
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A Song Analysis The poem‚ A Song‚ by Walt Whitman appears in Leaves of Grass. This edition collection of poems appeared in 1867. It is the workshop for the other versions that followed. “A Song” is not as well-known as some of Whitman’s other songs. This one like many of his poems celebrates comradeship and nature. It appears in the Calamus section of the 1867 book. It does not appear in later additions. The poem praises the soldiers who fought for America’s freedom. The emphasis on comradeship
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own unique style of writing. Walt Whitman is an idol for being an original and a unique artist. He has a distinctive voice that many have attempted to duplicate and have been unable to do so. Whitman wrote in an epic like proportions; he developed his own rhythmic structure‚ creating complex lines and stanzas. Whitman’s style of free verse becomes synonymous with his name and works‚ and helped distinguish him as a great American poet. By using free verse poetry‚ Whitman tore down the boundary and structure
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Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson both had different and similar views‚ which influenced how they wrote their poetry. Their social context‚ life experiences‚ and gender are reflected in their poetry. Emily Dickinson focused a lot on death and her struggles of being a woman during her time. Her poems often described the inner state of mind. Waltman attempted to combine universal themes with individual feelings and experiences‚ such as his personal experiences with the Civil War. Whitman and Dickinson
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Poetic Devices Walt Whitman: Parallel Structure – In “I Hear America Singing” lines 2-8 are the best examples of Parallel Structure. Those of mechanics‚ each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong‚ The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam‚ The mason singing his as he makes ready for work‚ or leaves off work‚ The boatman singing what belongs to him in his boat‚ the deckhand singing on the steamboat deck‚ The shoemaker singing as he sits on his bench‚ the hatter
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The poem “Song of Myself” by Walt Whitman has many different themes that involve Whitman himself and the nation he lived in. Whitman writes about life and death‚ equality‚ self appreciation and many other ideas. If I had to write the song of myself with my own themes and ideas they would be a relevantly similar to Whitman’s. The first theme I would write in the song of myself would be to live the life you’re given and use all the opportunities you’re provided with wisely. The second theme I would
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