Walt Whitman is perhaps

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Walt Whitman

Walt Whitman is perhaps one of the most celebrated American poets of the late 19th century.

The sexual undertones of his poetry as well as his sexual orientation made him a most

controversial figure during his time. Whitman is particularly interesting as he was part of the

transition between American Transcendentalism and Realism.

According to Donna Campbell, “American transcendentalism was an important movement in philosophy

and literature that flourished during the early to middle years of the nineteenth century (about 1836-

1860). It began as a reform movement in the Unitarian church . . . . For the transcendentalists, the soul

of each individual is identical with the soul of the world and contains what the world contains” (para. 1).

As you read, you should be able to notice this philosophy being expressed in Whitman’s poetry. In fact,

his poem, “Song of Myself,” Whitman clearly states the premise when he writes, “I celebrate myself, and

sing myself, / And what I assume you shall assume, / For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to

you” (1-3).

Read more about Walt Whitman at the Walt Whitman Archive: http://www.whitmanarchive.org/

Readings for This Assignment (PDF files):

from Leaves of Grass:

 “Song of Myself”: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174745

 “I Sing the Body Electric”: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174740

The Laughing Philosoper, Walt Whitman, by George C. Cox, 1887

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From Drum Taps:

Whitman served as a nurse during the American Civil War and wrote very moving poetry to

document his experiences.

 “Beat! Beat! Drums!”: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174737

 “Calvary Crossing a Ford”: http://www.bartleby.com/142/118.html

 “Vigil Strange I Kept on the Field One Night”:

http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/174746

 “The Wound-Dresser “: http://www.poetryfoundation.org/poem/237970

Discussion Board:

Get a conversation going about the literature listed on this page! You need to create at least one “new

post” and reply to at least 3 of your classmates to get full credit for this assignment. Make sure to click

“reply” at the bottom of the page when you open one of your classmate’s new posts in order for you to

get credit for a reply post. Your “new post” should be 150-200 words; replies an be 30-40 words.

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Works Cited

Campbell, Donna. “American Transcendentalism.” Faculty Website. Washington State

University. n.d. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.

Cox, George C. The Laughing Philosopher. 1887. New York Museum of Modern Art, New York.

Wikimedia Commons. Web. 21 Dec. 2014.