1. Click to listen to audio clip
Walt Whitman
Click to listen to audio clip

2. Influence of Emerson Drew upon ideas from Emerson
American Individualism; intuitive faith; spiritual potential; belief and trust in democracy and common people
Whitman was, as he later said, “simmering,” and Emerson’s ideas brought him to a “boil”
A man that speaks for himself speaks for us all
“I celebrate myself, And what I assume you shall assume…”

3. His poetry Whitman argued poetry must embrace every aspect of life
Celebrated and criticized post war age
Valuable expression of American nationalism
Deplorable materialism that corrupts democratic values
Language of his poetry was vivid and confusing with its rapid shifts from abstractions to personal revelations
Voice of poetry was democratic---individuals speak out freely and directly to the audience

4. Emphasizes all of the senses, especially touch
“New” poetry
Discarded traditional form and structure (favored free verse)
Emphasizes all of the senses, especially touch

5. Leaves of Grass On-going collection of poems throughout Whitman’s life
1855 originally published; expanded edition in 1856
Some of the new poems reflected his experiences caring for wounded soldiers and his reaction to the assassination of Lincoln

6. “Song of Myself”
What are the themes (one from each selection) that illustrate transcendental influences?

7. “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer”
This poem reinforces an idea from Thoreau (and Emerson too).
What is it?

8. “Beat! Beat! Drums!” What is Whitman’s attitude about the Civil War?
Look especially at lines 2, 9, 17-21