Walt Whitman was a prominent figure in American literature, recognized for his poetry, prose, and activism. Known as the father of free verse poetry, Whitman's most famous work Leaves of Grass (1855) challenged societal norms and revolutionized the perception of American wilderness writing. With controversial themes and a bold focus on the human body and society, Whitman's literary impact continues to inspire readers today.
Born on May 31, 1819, Walt Whitman was the second of nine children to Walter and Louisa Van Velter Whitman. His family's frequent moves due to financial struggles forced Whitman to take on caretaking responsibilities for his siblings, leading to a less than ideal childhood.
At 11 years old, Whitman left formal education and began working various writing jobs to provide for his family. As a teenager, he wrote filler material for newspapers and journals, fostering his love for writing.
Whitman quickly gained recognition in the literary world, becoming editor of The Long-Island Star at just 16 years old. He also began publishing his early poetry in various publications, but his nomadic lifestyle prevented him from staying in one place for too long.
His deep appreciation for theatre and opera, which he credited for his ability to write Leaves of Grass, only grew in the 1840s when he started publishing editorials, poems, and articles, cementing his determination to become a poet.
In 1850, Whitman began working on his poetry collection, which would eventually become Leaves of Grass. By 1855, he gifted his first bound copy to his brothers, choosing to self-publish and omitting his name from the cover. The first edition, adorned with the famous engraving of his portrait by Samuel Hollyer, sold less than 800 copies, but it was a promising start.
In the opening pages, Whitman describes himself as "an American, one of the roughs, a kosmos, disorderly, fleshly, and sensual, no sentimentalist, no stander above men or women or apart from them, no more modest than immodest." Despite choosing to omit his name, Whitman's first edition caught the attention of renowned Transcendentalist writer Ralph Waldo Emerson, who became one of his earliest supporters.
Whitman faced criticism with the 1856 edition of Leaves of Grass for its sensual and sexual themes. However, this did not hinder his growing popularity, and his work gained recognition from significant critics. Throughout his life, Whitman released nine editions of Leaves of Grass, with the final publication being the famous Deathbed Edition.
Despite facing criticism, Leaves of Grass garnered praise from famous writers and poets, such as Henry David Thoreau, who visited Whitman to discuss his work. Influenced by Transcendentalism, a philosophical movement centered on the belief that all humans and nature are divine, Whitman's poetry embodies themes of Romanticism and realism. With progressive ideas on feminism and abolition, Transcendentalism heavily influenced Whitman's writing, showcasing his belief in the sacredness of all living beings and nature.
Whitman's passion for Romanticism and romantic poetry leaves a lasting impact, inspiring readers to embrace individualism and self-expression in literature.
Walt Whitman is remembered not only for his literary contributions but also for his role as a medic during the Civil War in Washington D.C. While he supported the Union and was opposed to slavery, his motivation for serving as a medic was to alleviate the suffering of all soldiers, regardless of their race or beliefs. The experiences he encountered during the war played a significant role in his writing, leading him to explore themes of diversity, brotherhood, and embodiment.
Although Whitman was known for his abolitionist views, his writing has been criticized for its negative portrayal of people of color, particularly African Americans. While some of his work celebrated diversity, his personal letters and statements revealed a racist attitude, an aspect of his character that must be acknowledged and examined in his literary legacy.
Walt Whitman, born in 1819 in Huntington, Long Island, spent most of his adult life in Brooklyn, New York. Despite leaving school at just 11 years old to support his family, Whitman's passion for writing led him to various jobs in the industry, eventually leading him to become a self-published poet. In 1855, he released his first collection, Leaves of Grass, which became immensely popular during his lifetime.
Whitman's writing style was heavily influenced by the epic genre, which tells the story of a hero with extraordinary abilities. He aimed to bring this style of poetry to the American people, and Leaves of Grass became his lifelong project, with multiple editions published before his death in 1892.
During the Civil War, Whitman moved to Washington D.C., where he worked as a medic, personally tending to wounded soldiers on both sides of the war. This experience greatly influenced his writing, and he wrote extensively about the war, loss, and the process of healing. His love for the nation and admiration for President Abraham Lincoln is evident in two of his most famous poems, "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" and "O Captain! My Captain!", both written after Lincoln's assassination in 1865.
The war also shed light on Whitman's presumed homoerotic relationships, as he developed a fascination with young male beauty, evident in his poetry, particularly in his collections Drum-Taps and Sequel to Drum-Taps, both published during his time as a medic.
After the war, Whitman suffered a stroke that left him partially paralyzed. He moved in with his brother and sister-in-law in Camden, New Jersey, where he continued to write poetry and receive famous guests, including the renowned author Oscar Wilde. He also formed a close bond with his neighbor, Mary Oaks Davis, who eventually became his housekeeper and brought along her beloved pets.
In spite of his health struggles, Whitman managed to publish a final edition of Leaves of Grass in 1891. As his condition worsened, he regularly visited the mausoleum he designed for himself, and he passed away on March 26, 1892. The autopsy revealed that his lungs were functioning at only 13% capacity, and he had contracted pneumonia. The public service held for him was attended by over 1,000 people, and his burial was a public affair.
Whitman's legacy in American literature is also intertwined with his presumed bisexuality, which has been uncovered through his letters to male friends. While some critics debate the authenticity of these claims, it is clear that Whitman's work has inspired modern queer literature and sparked discussions on sexuality in literature.
Walt Whitman's contributions as a poet, medic, and social figure continue to be celebrated and analyzed, making him a pivotal figure in American literature and history. His work highlights the struggles and triumphs of the Civil War era, while also shedding light on the complexities of human nature and diversity. His words and influence still resonate today and will continue to shape the literary landscape for years to come.
Walt Whitman's legacy continues to be celebrated as one of the most influential poets in American literature. His exploration of the human body and interconnectedness of all living beings aligns with his Transcendentalist mindset, making his work timeless and relatable. One of his most famous works, "Song of Myself", is widely recognized and revered for its opening lines.
Another iconic quote from his collection "Leaves of Grass" showcases Whitman's Transcendentalist beliefs by using a simple blade of grass to convey existential themes about the human experience and the creation of the universe. His writing goes beyond the physical world and delves into deeper philosophical concepts.
In addition to his poetic works, Whitman was also a political figure and his poem "Caution" serves as a warning against the expansion of the federal government. This displays his rugged individualism and resistance to an overbearing government, earning him the reputation of a "mountain man" embodying the essence of the American wild.
Whitman, often referred to as "the father of free verse", was a prolific writer who constantly revised and added to his most famous work, Leaves of Grass. Along with "Song of Myself", his other well-known poems include "O Captain! My Captain!" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd". His poetic style was heavily influenced by Transcendentalism, Romanticism, and Realism, making his work unique and multi-dimensional.
Another aspect of Whitman's life that has gained attention is his identity as a queer poet. While he never openly expressed it during his lifetime, his focus on the beauty of the male form caused much controversy. After his death in 1892, an edition of Leaves of Grass known as the Deathbed Edition was published, solidifying his legacy as a groundbreaking and visionary writer.
Walt Whitman's impact on American literature and society remains unmatched. His influential poetry challenged societal norms and pushed boundaries, leaving a lasting impact on generations of readers and writers. He will forever be remembered as a pioneer who captured the essence of the American wild and explored the depths of the human experience through his writing.
