Characteristics of Whitman's Poetic Genius

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Whitman as a Poet

Walt Whitman is a well-known American poet. He is also a journalist and an essayist. He opened his eyes on May 31st, 1819 in West Hills, New York. Whitman started his journey into the practical world as a teacher but his method of teaching was unique as he taught his pupils through poetry. But then he moved to journalism and there, he learnt literature on his own. He proclaimed in 1848 that he would become a poet. He started his career as a poet in 1855 by publishing his first volume of 12 poems as Leaves of Grass through his own money. In the beginning, his poetic genius was not received well. As time moved on and here we are, seeing an iPad advertisement with Whitman's poetry in it. Whitman has acquired the name of the father of free verse. His poetry is packed with countless poetic features.

Whitman's Treatment of his Environment

Whitman is aware of his surroundings and his poetry deals with fair treatment of his environment. An environment is made of society and nature. Whitman knows that he exists in the society he lives in. In Song of Myself, Whitman celebrates his health, his life and everything he has accomplished through his interaction with other members of the community. Whitman's caricaturing of his environment is realistic and he presents the darker aspects of his society as well. War, murder and fear are some prominent themes in highlighting the darker side of the environment.

Whitman also encourages his readers to strive for their life, without falling back upon someone,

Not I, not anyone else can travel that road for you,
You must travel it for yourself.
You are also asking me questions and I hear you,
I answer that I cannot answer, you must find out for yourself.

This is a universal truth that a person has to do his own work and not anyone else will do the work for him. Self-reliance opens many opportunities for constructive contribution.

Whitman's Love for America

It is often said that Whitman is America. His love for American land is prominently represented through Whitman's poetry. The American Civil War had already sickened him. He strived for freedom through his poetry. He calls America as the "center of equal daughters, equal sons," who are "strong, ample, fair, enduring, capable".

When freedom is granted after scoring victory in war, Whitman celebrates along with other people gathered on "the seashore" while mourning the death of the captain who has "fallen cold and dead",

My Captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchor’d safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;

The last couplet is a clear example of Whitman's love for America.

Other Traits of Whitman's Poetry

Walter Whitman is the champion of free-verse. Although his resort to free-verse offended many critics but Whitman was a preacher of individualism, so he moved on and proved him as a father of free-verse when this kind of poetry went main-stream. Whitman emphasized on present things as they actually were. He added everyday scenery in his poetic genius. The imagery of the most realistic America is present through his poetry.

Conclusion

Resultantly, Whitman's poetic genius is remarkable for its emphasis on individualism, reasonable patriotism and main-streaming the free-verse.

Characteristics of Whitman's Poetic Genius

Whitman as a Poet

Whitman's Treatment of his Environment

Whitman's Love for America

Other Traits of Whitman's Poetry

Conclusion

Sources and Suggested Readings

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