Walt Whitman

Definition

Walt Whitman was an influential American poet of the 19th century, known for his innovative free verse style and his celebration of the individual and democracy. His seminal work, 'Leaves of Grass,' exemplified his transcendentalist and individualistic philosophies, which were central to the themes of 'An Awakening of Religion and Individualism' in this period of American history.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Whitman's 'Leaves of Grass' is considered a landmark in American literature, as it broke away from traditional poetic forms and expressed a bold, democratic vision of the individual and the nation.
2. Whitman's poetry celebrated the human body and sexuality, which was a departure from the more reserved attitudes of the time, reflecting his transcendentalist and individualistic beliefs.
3. Whitman's work was heavily influenced by the transcendentalist movement, which emphasized the importance of the individual, intuition, and a connection to the divine in nature.
4. Whitman's poetry often used expansive, free-flowing lines and a conversational tone, which was a radical departure from the more formal poetic styles of the 19th century.
5. Whitman's democratic and inclusive vision, which celebrated the diversity of the American people, was a significant contribution to the 'Awakening of Religion and Individualism' in the United States during this period.

Review Questions

• Explain how Walt Whitman's poetry and philosophy exemplified the 'Awakening of Religion and Individualism' in 19th-century America.
  • Walt Whitman's poetry, particularly his seminal work 'Leaves of Grass,' embodied the themes of the 'Awakening of Religion and Individualism' in 19th-century America. Whitman's transcendentalist beliefs, which emphasized the importance of the individual, intuition, and a connection to the divine in nature, were central to his poetic vision. His use of expansive, free-flowing lines and a celebration of the human body and sexuality were a radical departure from the more formal poetic styles of the time, reflecting his individualistic and democratic ideals. Whitman's inclusive and celebratory vision of the American people and their diversity was a significant contribution to the broader cultural and spiritual awakening of this period.
• Analyze how Whitman's innovative poetic style, particularly his use of free verse, contributed to the 'Awakening of Religion and Individualism'.
  • Walt Whitman's pioneering use of free verse, which abandoned traditional metrical patterns, was a key aspect of his poetic style that contributed to the 'Awakening of Religion and Individualism' in 19th-century America. By rejecting the constraints of formal poetic structures, Whitman was able to express his transcendentalist and individualistic philosophies more freely and authentically. His conversational, expansive lines and celebration of the self and the body reflected a new, more democratic and inclusive vision of the individual and the nation. This innovative approach to poetry was a radical departure from the more reserved and formal styles of the time, and it helped to inspire a broader cultural and spiritual awakening that emphasized the importance of the individual and the divine connection to nature.
• Evaluate the lasting impact of Walt Whitman's work on the themes of 'An Awakening of Religion and Individualism' in American literature and culture.
  • Walt Whitman's lasting impact on the themes of 'An Awakening of Religion and Individualism' in American literature and culture cannot be overstated. His seminal work, 'Leaves of Grass,' with its bold, transcendentalist vision and celebration of the individual, the body, and the democratic spirit of America, has become a touchstone of American literature. Whitman's innovative use of free verse and his inclusive, celebratory perspective on the diversity of the American people have continued to inspire and influence writers, thinkers, and cultural movements long after his time. His work has been seen as a crucial contribution to the broader spiritual and cultural awakening of the 19th century, and his enduring legacy continues to shape our understanding of the individual's place in American society and the divine connection to the natural world.

Related terms

Transcendentalism:

A philosophical movement that emphasized the importance of the individual, intuition, and a connection to the divine in nature, which heavily influenced Whitman's work.

Free Verse: A style of poetry that does not follow a fixed metrical pattern, which Whitman pioneered and used extensively in his writings to express his individualistic and democratic ideals.

Leaves of Grass: Whitman's masterpiece, a collection of poems that celebrated the self, the body, and the democratic spirit of America, and which exemplified his transcendentalist and individualistic philosophies.