Walt Whitman 1819-1892

Background Born in Long Island Jobs Office clerk Printer’s assistant School teacher Journalist/editor Part-time carpenter and building contractor

Leaves of Grass Published at his own expense, 1855 Went unnoticed (too new/different) Sent samples, one to Emerson, who embraced it Republished 9 times, ending in 1891

The Image of the Poet Carefully crafted an image: Full of contradictions A con artist and a saint An artist and a hobo Brags, but shy Enjoyed the public eye, sought it out Always, he was real – a man of the people

His Unique Style The father of free verse – poetry with no rhyme or meter Cadence: the natural rhythm of speech patterns Wrote in long lists Rambles and repeats himself Makes up new words

Subject matter The unique American experience Democracy and the limitless potential of the U.S. Unspoiled beauty of nature, where he finds spiritual truth and inspiration The common working person Equality Civil War Celebrates humanity and the human body Celebrates himself, in the sense that he stands for every American

Subject Matter Cont’d Believed he understood every American because every American was a part of him and he a part of them (shared the same atoms) Celebrates and expresses an exuberance for life