Christopher Spates
Col. Ball
ERH 421WX
April 14th, 2015
The Critics of Walt Whitman’s Mind
Walt Whitman, one of America’s most famous poet and journalist is known for his controversial topics about the American democracy. Some view negatively of Walt Whitman’s writings and others praise and honor his influence on literature. People often disagree with his writings because it is considered offensive; however, he is not a man to be easily dismissed. Whitman created uproar among society, because of his disputed views and opinions on life. His writings caused people to reflect upon their own views on life and how society can affect an individual’s perception. By reflecting the American way of life, Whitman is able to capture and question the true understanding of human nature and the society around it. Some critics praised his work and believed “his voice will one day be potential or magisterial wherever the English language is spoken” because it is so unique.(Austin) However, other critics completely disagree and find that his writing irrelevant, and claims it barely makes since. Those reviews that critique his writings have helped to popularize his work by making it known to many people. The reviews have also allowed society to consider his beliefs and live a life that reflects Whitman’s views. At the time, his ideas were new and different. Many people had contradicting views on his writing. However, by considering the thoughts within his writing readers are able to apply his thoughts towards modern day society.
Whitman’s poems are not where the controversy started. Whitman’s beliefs have been disputed since he first entered the world of writing. Just like most of society, Whitman’s parents influenced his views and beliefs on America and democracy. When Whitman was seventeen years old he got his first job in a one-room schoolhouse. In 1841 he began his own weekly paper, called the Long-Islander. He moved to New-York city where he became an editor for another newspaper, called the Brooklyn Daily Eagle.(Whitman Bio) Whitman’s jobs never lasted long. Even then his views and opinions were questionable and not accepted from his co-workers and bosses. He lost his job from seven different newspapers in only four years.
Whitman’s critics, regardless of whether they offered positive or negative reviews, did not contribute any notable literary works of their own. As I researched works about Walt Whitman it was interesting to see how ready people were to judge the works of Whitman when they couldn’t truly relate to his talent. Without controversial subjects covered, poetry is merely restated material, and without the progression that people like Whitman offered, there can be no change.(WhitmanWiki) This is why to this point today Whitman is known as America’s poet due to his unique thoughts and writing style. More than likely most of his critics had a hard time understanding his writings because there had yet to be anyone else like him. Whitman is known for reshaping poetry, and obviously giving it an entire new identity. As seen in all of his writings Whitman offered a style that lacked a popular rhyme scheme, typical line breaks, and even rhythm. (Guide to Walt Whitman) However, many people felt that by doing that he wasn’t writing poetry anymore, rather he was throwing together random thoughts onto paper. Though the critics of Walt Whitman have never grown to be as well-known as his work there are still interesting critical analysis on his work.
Robert Buchanan a Scottish poet, lecturer, and journalist wrote a very strong critical review of Whitman’s writing. Within the review he states that Whitman essentially has poems written about democracy, and general monotonous prophecies throughout Leaves of Grass.(Buchanan) Buchanan displays Whitman as selfish and unintelligent, and says that all Whitman saw was the “perfect world” where everyone had equals of everything; however Buchanan argues that Whitman’s stance is not realistic. In his eyes he sees it in a way that Walt Whitman’s writing is for “daintier men” to follow calling Whitman a plain pioneer.(Buchanan) Buchanan believes that young gentlemen followed Whitman’s writing simply because he was loud, massive, gross, and colossal rather than for the truth he was speaking.(Buchanan) Although Whitman is harshly criticized by Buchanan he makes several legitimate points throughout his critical review. At times Whitman’s poetry was inappropriate, however, in order to understand his stories you had to be intelligent and have a sense of how society was changing. Also, Whitman was very unique in ways that many people still to this day will never understand. He carries so many interesting ideals from topics such as death, life, nature, democracy, and love, which to this day can be easily misunderstood.(Guide to Walt Whitman)
Another critic of Walt Whitman is John Trowbridge. He says specifically that Whitman wrote with vigor, graphic force, and also had a strong since of human sympathy.(Trowbridge) Trowbridge sat down and spoke with Whitman in Boston in 1860. In is review he admires Whitman and says that it is amazing how someone can have such love and faith yet have such a large view on life with a strong since of curiosity.(Trowbridge) Whitman told him directly that he couldn’t have created his writings if he hadn’t found himself. He gave direct credit to Emerson for helping him find that and said that Emerson’s letter was seen as blazoned and a chart of an emperor.(Trowbridge) Trowbridge also spoke of Whitman’s physical appearance. Before he saw Whitman for the first time, he expected to see someone who was simple and well looking. When they met Trowbridge was shocked by his grey beard and rough physical appearance. Whitman was very quiet in person, but when reading his poems you would think he was outgoing and grandiose. Overall, Trowbridge saw Whitman as someone who demonstrated everything between nature and man. Many people have miss conceptions simply by reading Whitman’s poems yet never truly look deeply into his personal being to see that his work deserves a form of celebration.
Though Whitman’s work in Leaves of Grass is explained online by many scholarly sources as to what the meaning of his poems are how do we really know that is right? Personally, I see Whitman as someone with a mind of his own that can be easily misinterpreted, but I think that is exactly what he wanted. Though critics have some harsh words against Whitman they still all take his poems and place the circumstances he speaks of into their own lives. This is because Whitman offered up poetry that wasn’t directed particularly toward any one person rather he wanted to reach out to everyone. His poetry gives every reader the opportunity to place themselves into the story that is being told in order to feel the emotion, or even see the picture that he is trying to portray.
Works Cited
Austin, Alfred. “The Poetry of the Period.” The Poetry of the Period: [Review of Poems by Walt Whitman] –. The Walt Whitman Archive, 1 Oct. 1869. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Buchanan, Robert. “The Walt Whitman Archive.” Walt Whitman: [Review of Leaves of Grass (1867).and Drum Taps] –. The Broadway, 1 Nov. 1867. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
“Poets.org Guide to Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass.” Poets.org. Academy of American Poets,1 Jan. 2000. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Trowbridge, John. “Reminiscences of Walt Whitman.” The Atlantic. Atlantic Media Company, 1 Feb.1902. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
“Walt Whitman.” Bio. A&E Television Networks, 2015. Web. 13 Apr. 2015.
“Whitman’s Critics.” WhitmanWiki. Wikimedia Foundation. Web. 14 Apr. 2015.
Reflective Tag
While doing research on Walt Whitman’s critics I learned a lot about what people thought of him. It was very interesting to learn about his physical appearance and demeanor. I believe that Whitman was a very interesting person to interact with by reading about his personality. His work is so unique and offers so many questions to his readers. The imagination he used throughout Leaves of Grass is incredible and makes you truly think. It relates not only to history, but to the present. Even Whitman’s critics were able to see his ability to relate nature and society into one concept. Also, I was able to see how even back then people believed his work was very explicit and gruesome. However, I think that is what makes him America’s greatest poet. Overall, doing this research paper I was able to gain a better understanding for Whitman’s being and the true concepts of his poetry by learning what other people thought of it.