1. Walt Whitman (stop at 6:50)
Click to listen to audio clip

2. Influence of Emerson Drew upon ideas from Emerson
American Individualism; intuitive faith; spiritual potential; belief and trust in democracy and common people
Whitman was, as he later said, “simmering,” and Emerson’s ideas brought him to a “boil”
A man that speaks for himself speaks for us all
“I celebrate myself, And what I assume you shall assume…”

3. His poetry Whitman argued poetry must embrace every aspect of life
Celebrated and criticized post war age
Valuable expression of American nationalism
Deplorable materialism that corrupts democratic values
Language of his poetry was vivid and confusing with its rapid shifts from abstractions to personal revelations
Voice of poetry was democratic---individuals speak out freely and directly to the audience

4. Emphasizes all of the senses, especially touch
“New” poetry
Discarded traditional form and structure (favored free verse)
Emphasizes all of the senses, especially touch

5. Leaves of Grass On-going collection of poems throughout Whitman’s life
1855 originally published; expanded edition in 1856
Some of the new poems reflected his experiences caring for wounded soldiers and his reaction to the assassination of Lincoln

6. How do Romantic writers reconcile individual freedom with social responsibility?
Emerson rejected society
Melville questioned individualism
Whitman encompasses self & mass in a universal love

7. “Song of Myself”
What are 4 themes (one from each selection) that illustrate transcendental influences?
Pg. 353 (4, 6, 7, 8)

8. “One’s-Self I Sing”
What distinction does Whitman make in the 2nd stanza between physiology and physiognomy?
Who is Modern Man?
Is this still true today or different in some way?

9. “I Hear America Singing”
Listen to “40 Hour Week” by Alabama
What is the tone of this poem?
What theme is being reinforced here?
Click to listen to audio clip

10. “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer”
This poem reinforces an idea from Thoreau (and Emerson too).
What is it?

11. Whitman’s War Poems
Whitman was an ardent abolitionist and a strong believer in the Union cause. When war came, he recognized it as a national tragedy that would soon outstrip the partisan aims of either side and would leave no aspect of life unscathed.

12. “Beat! Beat! Drums!”
“A March in the Ranks Hard-Prest, and the Road Unknown”
“Reconciliation”

13. “Beat! Beat! Drums!”
What is Whitman’s attitude about the Civil War? Cite words, phrases, and lines
How do the first lines of each stanza contrast with those that follow them? (Structure of the words)---pg 360 (2,3)

14. “A March in the Ranks Hard-Prest, and the Road Unknown”
Reaction/Reflection
Does this poem apply to war today? The entire poem? Only sections? Consider the symbolism of the last line.
Pg 360 (1,2)

15. “Reconciliation”
To Whitman, is reconciliation possible or even necessary? Cite lines.
Is this possible in wartime today?
What must man recognize once war is over?
What does this poem suggest about unity, Whitman’s overall theme?