Quick write Although you are still young, you may have lost someone or something you cared about. Think about someone or something that meant a lot to you and is now gone. In 3-6 sentences describe how that loss affected you.
WALT WHITMAN AND ELEGY Notebook #14
Walt Whitman ( ) One of the finest and most original American poets Born on long island, New York Left school at age 11 to go to work Continued his education on the weekends by reading (Shakespeare, the Bible, Sir Walter Scott)
Life of Whitman Summer of 1831 he worked for a newspaper; The Long Island Patriot. Provided Whitman his first opportunity to be published. Most of the rest of his life was spent alternating between teaching and printing. The only book he ever published was Leaves of Grass. First edition published 1855 (Whitman published it himself) Last edition published in 1892 after his death – called the “deathbed edition.”
Leaves of Grass Public reaction to Leaves of Grass was mixed: Most called it “barbaric” because of the base and vulgar content and language. A few realized the genius within. Whitman wrote in free verse. Whitman embraced and celebrated all aspects of his country, The United States, and its people, especially the workers.
Civil War During the Civil War he volunteered as a nurse, a “wound dresser,” in military hospitals. In 1865 he added the section “Drum Taps,” a collection of civil war poems.
Time moves on He continued to write and revise his poetry until his death in Over the course of his life he wrote and published over 400 poems.
Elegy A poem of mourning Most elegies are about someone who has died Some elegies mourn a way of life that is gone forever
Lincoln and Whitman “O Captain! My Captain!” is an Elegy used to mourn the death of President Abraham Lincoln Lincoln was assassinated April 14, 1865
Extended metaphors Whitman uses an extended metaphor in “O Captain! My Captain!” In an extended metaphor: the metaphor is stated The comparison is extended as far as the poet could possibly take it Whitman uses the entire poem