walt whitman :: essays research papers

Walt Whitman Walt Whitman, born in 1819 to a family in Long Island, lived a rattling humble life before becoming a well know writer. He grew up in a community full of Quakers and followed morality very strictly as a child. Whitman loved reading the whole works of Ralph Waldo Emerson because he thought he related to Emersons ideas and theologies which closely corresponded to his own. At the age of 35, Whitman published his first book, Leaves of Grass, which was so successful that it appealed to other cognise poets worldwide. His talent was a great surprise to many. Whitmans abilities as a poet were dark because his previous job was working for a local newspaper from which he got fired for being an abolitionist. It is believed, however, that Whitmans inspiration came from his trip to unseasoned Orleans and New York. Whether it was a love affair or the great scenery from the countryside that real inspired him is unknown nevertheless this first book was the beginning to an enkind le career. Whitman viewed himself as the first real American poet. His poetry was symbolic of liberty and democracy, as well as emotions and beliefs. Later editions of Leaves of Grass were published in 1856 and 1860. These editions were full of new poems as well as revised originally ones. At this clock, Whitman was the editor of a local newspaper, the Brooklyn Daily Times, in extension to helping is father in carpentry. It was in 1862 when he found surface his brother was injured in the war and he traveled southern to serve as a volunteer nurse to the military until 1867. During his time as a nurse, Whitman composed several war poems which were published in the 1867 edition of Leaves of Grass.