Walt Whitman
Poet during the Era of Romanticism
Kevin Stewart and Jaden Trowell
Romanticism
A movement in the arts and literature that originated in the late 18th century, emphasizing inspiration, subjectivity, and the primacy of the individual.
Whitmans major accomplishments & goals
Whitman wrote many books and poetry. Some of his jobs included journalist, teacher, government clerk and he was even a volunteer nurse during the civil war.
Some of his literature includes;
Leaves of Grass - 1855
Drum taps - 1865
Democratic Vistas - 1871
Memoranda during the war - 1875
Song of Myself
- First published in 1855 by Walt himself
- Poem has 52 chapters & covers Walts beliefs, personality and outlook on life.
Leaves of Grass
- Also published in 1855, leaves of grass would be Walts most important piece of writing.
- This book took walt his whole life to write, editing and revising it
- He also took parts of this book and published it separately, like song of myself
- The book was inspired by the romantic period, entailing the materialistic world and the human body , mind and soul.
Drum-Taps
- Published in 1865' the book includes 43 poems on the Civil War
- Whitman's work, "Drum-Taps", is considered the finest war poetry written by an American.
Historical significance and connection to literature.
Walt Whitman influenced many people in his generation and in generations to come. He influenced poets and authors like Allen Ginsberg, and Jack Kerouac, and musicians like Bob Dylan.