1. Walt Whitman 1819-1892

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

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

4. The Image of the Poet Carefully crafted an image: 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 Enjoyed the public eye, sought it out Always, he was real – a man of the people Always, he was real – a man of the people

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

6. Subject matter The unique American experience 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 humanity and the human body Celebrates himself, in the sense that he stands for every American Celebrates himself, in the sense that he stands for every American

7. 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) 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 Celebrates and expresses an exuberance for life