Allen Ginsberg

Walt Whitman’s poem, “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer,” which is written based on prior experience, presents two different views based around focusing on how people understand certain material. These perspectives are exhibited through a class lecture on astronomy. Whitman wrote this poem based on prior experience. The poem begins with the speaker sitting through an astronomy lecture taught by an astronomer. The lesson focuses on scientific facts and mathematical figures. The information is…

This essay for first year writing students shows how a simple man made huge waves in the world of the arts with his beliefs of poetry. This simple man was William Carlos Williams. He was born in America as a Puerto Rican-American who then with hard work and determination became a well-practiced doctor. He however is better known for his works of poetry that challenged the traditional way of writing poetry. In Williams’s book of poetry, The Wedge, is prefaced by an introduction that introduces…

Then, just when Whitman thought his luck had turned and Leaves of Grass started selling well, his publisher went bankrupt and someone stole the printing plates of the third edition. That printer is believed to have pirated 100,000 copies of the book (“Walt Whitman”, 1998). Indeed, Whitman’s poetry did not gain much fame until after his death, but towards the end of his life he gained recognition in Europe (“Walt Whitman”, 2002). Nevertheless, “in the years following Whitman’s death, Leaves of…

London William Blake S This poem is about the slums of London and how the people’s despair in these areas is at the fault of their government, a government that brings hopelessness to the people. P I explore the streets, Where the river Thames goes by, Every face I see is full of anguish, Anguish caused by weakness and despair. In every man’s cry, In every infant’s frightened screams, In every one who speaks, in every restriction, The mental shackles I hear. The chimney cleaners weep, The…

Throughout America’s history, writers/poets have contributed to what we now call the American voice. Their novels and poems have shaped Americans’ ideas and events. The American voice is a way for authors to come together and shape future generations of Americans to become “true” Americans. The American voice was shaped by events such as the end of isolationism in America. With this end, teens began to protest the “norms” of America- shaping the American voice of the 1950s-60s. Through the use…

The arts can serve as a microscopic picture into culture. This image is frozen in the time that it was done and should be critiqued from that standpoint. However, some writers seem to be before their times and their writing remains a touchstone throughout the ages. This is true, in America, perhaps none more so than for Walt Whitman. Whitman’s writing can be seen as a love affair with America, itself, as he celebrated its nature, mourned its losses and had a vision for the future. The love…

American voice is characterized by themes of equal, hardworking, and confident. These characteristics can be found in the short poems "I hear America singing, and I, Too, sing America". These short poems describe how Americans represent themselves. Also, how other countries around the world look at Americans. The American voice is characterized by the theme of equality. This is demonstrated in the short poem, "I hear America singing" Whitman states "I hear America singing, the varied…

By celebrating the beauty of the human body in Song of Myself, Walt Whitman promotes the philosophy of “[taking] off your hat to nothing known or unknown or to any man or number of men”. In section 24, when Whitman says, “I do not press my finger across my mouth //copulation is no more rank to me than death is”, he displays the need to embrace sexuality. Whitman sees the beauty in sex, and refuses to repress his ideals because of society’s opinion (Whitman 1245). In the preface, Whitman conveys…

America is one country whose citizens have a great sense of pride and nationalism. Two of America's greatest poets are Walt Whitman, and Langston Hughes, and each one has a poem about America and the pride they feel for America. Walt Whitman's "I Hear America Singing" is about the nation as a whole, and the individuals that make up that whole. Langston Hughes' "I, Too" is about hope for the equality of African Americans. Both poems have similar aspects about them, but also many details are…

To begin with, Whitman, an ardent supporter of democracy, saw his poetry as the “bible” of a new American religion and himself as the prophet. He was born a Quaker, (Religious Society of Friends)—a Christian movement which professes the priesthood of all believers. He did not follow this religion as an adult. According to his doctrine, “No restrictions whatever should be placed upon an individual’s religious convictions.” In Song of Myself #48, in the first Stanza: “I celebrate myself, and sing…