1. Walt Whitman Life and times in the 1800’s

2.  May 31, 1819 Walter Whitman born was born in Long Island to Walter, Sr., and Louisa Van Velsor.  Long Island was the location that many immigrants received their first taste of America.  1830 Whitman was withdrawn from school and sent to learn the printing trade in order to help his family out financially.  1849-1854 Whitman published four poems that will later appear in the LEAVES OF GRASS. LEAVES OF GRASS was used to inspire workers through an extremely happy vision of democratic life.  1855 Whitman self-published the first edition of LEAVES OF GRASS, which consisted of 12 poems and a preface. Biography Information

3.  1861-1865 The Civil War affected Whitman’s writings as he worked as a nurse both in Long Island and on the battlefields of Virginia  1891 Whitman published the ninth edition of LEAVES OF GRASS, called the "Deathbed Edition;" (the final production consisted of a total of almost 400 poems)  March 26, 1891 Whitman died in his home on Mickle Street  March 30, 1891 Whitman was buried and explained in his injunction that the tomb door should be left ajar at twilight so his spirit can stroll abroad. Biography Information Cont.

4. Roles and Jobs  Most jobs were considered Blue collar jobs  Blacksmith, tailor, farmer, mason  Women rarely had a job outside of the house  Sweatshops provided jobs for many immigrants Immigration—Creating the Tossed Salad  1820-1870: there was over 7 ½ million immigrants  Began to see trends of nationalities in cities  Little Italy, Chinatown, Little Russia, etc.  Many groups continued cultural lifestyle had previously Background Information on the 1800’s:

5. Essential Question How do current events inspire authors?

10. Read and TP-CAST Walt Whitman’s “Washington Monument, February 1885” Pay particular attention to apostrophe, personification, and imagery.