Charles Whitman

In Walt Whitman’s poem “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” we are connected to the author or rather the narrator in a way different than many other works we come across. Whitman uses second-person narration, in which the narrator talks directly to the person reading the story. The first line, “Flood-tide below me! I see you face to face!”, introduces us, expeditiously, to second person narrative. This narrative is described simply as “a narrative mode in which the protagonist or other main character is…

detail and emotion than any other poets – Walt Whitman and Carl Sandburg. From two different generations, the younger writer’s content and style is very much an extension of his elder, Whitman. Both write, in a very casual style, about the suffering of the common man that they saw firsthand; Whitman’s “I Sit and Look Out” and Sandburg’s “Chicago” provide great examples of their observations of the American experience. In the poem “I Sit and Look Out,” Whitman observes the suffering of workers…

How does one interpret unity in America, after all we live in the United States? In the poems, “I Hear America Singing” by Walt Whitman and “I, Too” by Langston Hughes, both authors express what it means for them to live in America. Hughes writes from an African American perspective living in the 1930s, while Walt Whitman writes from a Caucasian perspective living in the mid 1800s. These facts play an important role in interpreting these poems. “I Hear America Singing” and “I, Too” share a…

metaphors in his poem, “A Noiseless Patient Spider.” Topic Sentence: Whitman’s use of visual imagery throughout his poem demonstrates the metaphor of a spider and the soul representing isolation similar to the human race. In the first line of the poem, Whitman establishes an image of a hardworking and quiet spider, which outlays the big picture for the rest of the poem. The spider is depicted as weaving a web quietly, secluded from the rest of his environment, which right away set off the mood…

Through the extensive storytelling form embedded in Song of Myself by Walt Whitman and How it feels to be colored me by Zora Neale Hurston, the common both works encompass a stylistic writing that draws imagery to circumstance. With comparable insight from a host of scholars, both of these short stories reveal a theme that examines the essence of human circumstance vs. the realities of Nature. While Walt Whitman directly exhibits the theme of man vs. nature through the story. He explicates…

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…

Whitman Predicting Ginsberg Every piece of poetry examined thus far this semester has had one common underlying thread. Regardless of form, style, or language, every collection of works has served as a vehicle to document history and warn humanity about the future. A fine example of this is the juxtaposition of mid 19th century poet Walt Whitman, and mid 20th century poet Allen Ginsberg. In his poem, Crossing the Brooklyn Ferry, Whitman envisions a hopeful future for America, while subtly…

Leaves of Grass: Walt Whitman’s “Song of Myself” “Song of Myself,” by Walt Whitman is a meditative poem combining his religious and political ideals. In Whitman’s poetry, symbolism and sermons are used to present important subjects. With the author’s persona, the poem captures the unique blend of national confidence and fear for the future by using grass, a symbol of democracy which grows everywhere. Many historical events were occurring during the period of his life. The imminent Civil War…

During the Poem “Song of Myself” Walt Whitman examines the complex idea of belonging in society by using sly commentary and symbols alike, while writing with a seemingly egotistical style. This piece was one of the twelve poems from the original collection of “Leaves of Grass” published in 1855, which was shortly before the Civil War started. This was a time of despair for Whitman because he was living in a fractured union. During this piece Whitman used many evocative situations to capture the…

Nature leaves me in complete and utter awe. The ability to frighten, calm and excite men and women at all levels amazes me. I think in every person, nature seems to have affected him or her in one way or another. Nature has allowed me to escape from the buzzing chaos of a large family lifestyle. I take my place as the fifth child of my parents. Being the fifth child also means I am the oldest girl and am in the very middle of nine kids. Business and echoing voices are constant at my house. I…