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Discuss the theme of individualism in whitman s poetry

Discuss the theme of individualism in whitman s poetry

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Discuss the theme of Individualism in Whitman’s poetry

Walter Whitman was one of the most renowned poet, journalist, and essayist in the

United States of America. He subscribed to the philosophical and ethical values of humanism

which made be part of the transition that took place between the philosophical ideologies of

transcendentalism and realism. As a poet and essayist, Whitman incorporated most of his views

on the works that he spent most of his time writing (Bromwich 503). In the preface of one of his

works the Leaves of Glass that he wrote in 1855, he stated that “The proof of a poet is that his

country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it." According to his beliefs, poets and

society had a relationship that was symbiotic. His belief about the connection which exists

between the society and poet was emphasized in the work Song of Myself, in this work, Whitman

uses a first-person narration which is said to be all powerful. The work was considered as a

classical American epic work; this is because it deviated from the use of a hero who was elevated

in the society and instead, he used a character that could be identified with common people. The

work Leaves of Grass is also considered as a response to the implications of urbanization which

were taking place across all the regions of the United States of America on the people

(Muhammed 95). Through this, we can be able to see the different ways that the Whitman views

the society and the democracy, he expressed the form of freedom which comes with democracy

as a way that people need to experience life. The ideology of individualism is one of the most

prevalent ideologies that Whitman used in his works. This can be understandably explained by

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looking at the way the concept of individualism thrived in American society during the early 18

century. Through this ideology of individualism, Whitman was able to encourage the common

Americans to exercise self-ownership and also value their original thoughts as well as the

importance of self-expression.

During the start of the 19

century, there were many changes which were being

experienced throughout the country. There was a new class of industrial workers that were

coming up as more industries were being established across the country. Because of this, there

were many changes which were being experienced in the society, and there was also a need for

developing a response to the new ideologies which were being developed at the time. Just like

Whitman, there were other political leaders, philosophical thinkers and other leaders in the

society encouraged the people of America to exercise self-ownership and also value their

original thoughts. In the poetry works that he developed, Whitman sought to show the

importance of a single individual in a collective society. He also put much focus on the

importance of expressing the values and the beliefs which the common people had in society.

In his work, Song of Myself Whitman expresses the ideologies of individualism and

idiosyncratic. This is achieved by expressing the perception of slavery and the slave trade

through a specific point of view (Erkkila 567). He uses the first-person narrative point of view

and expresses the ideas which are expressed in the poem as his views. From the poem, he says

“One’s Self I Sing; As I Ponder’d in Silence,” through this, we can be able to see the way that

Whitman uses the narrative to express his views and respond to the changes which were

happening in the society (Emerson 74). In the poem, there is also a use of a free form of verses

which are aimed at creating a perception of an American society which was fee and one that had

been liberated from the old customs and traditions in which the poetry forms were formal. The

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Surname 1 Name Professor Course Date Discuss the theme of Individualism in Whitman’s poetry Walter Whitman was one of the most renowned poet, journalist, and essayist in the United States of America. He subscribed to the philosophical and ethical values of humanism which made be part of the transition that took place between the philosophical ideologies of transcendentalism and realism. As a poet and essayist, Whitman incorporated most of his views on the works that he spent most of his time writing (Bromwich 503). In the preface of one of his works the Leaves of Glass that he wrote in 1855, he stated that “The proof of a poet is that his country absorbs him as affectionately as he has absorbed it." According to his beliefs, poets and society had a relationship that was symbiotic. His belief about the connection which exists between the society and poet was emphasized in the work Song of Myself, in this work, Whitman uses a first-person narration which is said to be all powerful. The work was considered as a classical American epic work; this is because it deviated from the use of a hero who was elevated in the society and instead, he used a character that could be identified with common people. The work Leaves of Grass is also considered as a response to the implications of urbanization which were taking place across all the regions of the United States of America on the people (Muhammed 95). Through this, we can be able to see the different ways that the Whitman views t ...
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