It is cliché for an artist to take their life’s experiences and express them boldly and without apology. Walt Whitman (1819-1892) was no exception. His work seems to be self-centered although it was about humanity as a whole. I believe that through his confusion he felt qualified to represent all people even when they were on opposite ends of the spectrum. Much of this is expressed in the irony of his poetry. Such a style made him one of, if not, the best poet in American history. “From song of myself”, is a work that announced a new school of thought to the American people and introduced to the world a modern America.
Whitman was born on May 31, 1819 born in West Hills on Long Island, New York and from the age of four he grew up on the streets …show more content…
His first edition of the book went barely noticed and most that did found it tasteless. WHITMAN ALSO SENT HIS BOOK TO A NUMBER OF RESPECTED MEN OF LETTERS, MANY OF WHOM PROMPTLY SENT IT BACK. HOWEVER, WHITMAN RECEIVED UNEXPECTED SUPPORT FROM THE ESSAYIST AND POET RALPH WALDO EMERSON. EMERSON WROTE TO WHITMAN: "I AM NOT BLIND TO THE WORTH OF THE WONDERFUL GIFT "OF 'LEAVES OF GRASS. ' "I FIND IT THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PIECE OF WIT "AND WISDOM THAT AMERICA HAS YET CONTRIBUTED. "I FIND INCOMPARABLE THINGS SAID INCOMPARABLY WELL. "I GREET YOU AT THE BEGINNING OF A GREAT …show more content…
Among them were: printing, building, and writing. The book arose out of his experiences of living in New York. Whitman was an optimist who saw the flooding in of immigrants and people from diverse cultures and an opportunity for the City of New York to show the world unity amongst differences and he would be the bridge that connects the unperceived semblances of all people. A year later Whitman republished “Leaves of Grass” and this time it was four times longer. Then in his fifth release of “Leaves of Grass”, his poetry reflects the disappointment that begin to set in concerning the human condition. In 1882, he published an 8th edition. Each edition marked a Time in American history through the poet’s eyes. Whitman died on March 26th
Whitman was born on May 31, 1819 born in West Hills on Long Island, New York and from the age of four he grew up on the streets …show more content…
His first edition of the book went barely noticed and most that did found it tasteless. WHITMAN ALSO SENT HIS BOOK TO A NUMBER OF RESPECTED MEN OF LETTERS, MANY OF WHOM PROMPTLY SENT IT BACK. HOWEVER, WHITMAN RECEIVED UNEXPECTED SUPPORT FROM THE ESSAYIST AND POET RALPH WALDO EMERSON. EMERSON WROTE TO WHITMAN: "I AM NOT BLIND TO THE WORTH OF THE WONDERFUL GIFT "OF 'LEAVES OF GRASS. ' "I FIND IT THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY PIECE OF WIT "AND WISDOM THAT AMERICA HAS YET CONTRIBUTED. "I FIND INCOMPARABLE THINGS SAID INCOMPARABLY WELL. "I GREET YOU AT THE BEGINNING OF A GREAT …show more content…
Among them were: printing, building, and writing. The book arose out of his experiences of living in New York. Whitman was an optimist who saw the flooding in of immigrants and people from diverse cultures and an opportunity for the City of New York to show the world unity amongst differences and he would be the bridge that connects the unperceived semblances of all people. A year later Whitman republished “Leaves of Grass” and this time it was four times longer. Then in his fifth release of “Leaves of Grass”, his poetry reflects the disappointment that begin to set in concerning the human condition. In 1882, he published an 8th edition. Each edition marked a Time in American history through the poet’s eyes. Whitman died on March 26th