Walt Whitman Changes the Face of Literature Essay -- Biography Biograp

Walt Whitman Changes the Face of Literature When Walt Whitman published the first edition of Leaves of Grass it was accredited with a wide variety of reactions. From critics to fellow poets the reactions to his first record book were a good deal admiring, but also dubious. This pattern continued with each of the six editions of Leaves. many another(prenominal) wondered where this 36 year-old poet of the people came from. The very course he presented his first volume of poetry was controversial. Whitman presented himself in this self-published volume as, Walt Whitman, an American, one of the roughs, a Kosmos, a Disorderly, operose and sensual.eating drinking and breeding. (2725) This style of self declaration was unheard of at that time. It was as if the beasts spoke, commented Henry David Thoreau on Whitmans departure from the typical literature of the time. (2725) tiny reviews of his work ranged from high praise to near disdain. It was written in join States Review that, Self-Reliant, with haughty eyes, assuming to himself totally the attributes of his country, steps Walt Whitman into literature, talking standardized a man unaware that there was hitherto much(prenominal) a such a production as a book, or such a being as a writer. (205) It was Whitmans style of self-proclamation that caused such a stir. When one reads Whitman poetry they must decide , does this poet really speak for me, as he claims to? The review of his works recognizes this question. Whitman proded people toward a new way of thinking. It was written that, With strong and steady call he addresses men. Come, he seems to say, from the midst of all that you have been your whole life surrounding yourself with Leave all the preaching and teaching of others, and mind only... ...ars to intend, his last literary effort, it closes firmly and fitly the literary career of a poet who has with pride and fidelity obeyed his own genius, and who has desire to understand an d speak--in his oracular, strange voice--the experience of common humanity. (305)Works CitedBuchanan, Robert. Walt Whitman. Broadway Magazine. November 1867, 188-95.Dana, Charles. bracing Publications Leaves of Grass. New York Daily Tribune. July 23, 1855, p. 3.Lauter, Paul. The Heath Anthology of American Literature. 1998 Houghton Mifflin Co, New York.Literary World 22. pass My Fancy. September 12, 1891. 305Morse, Sidney. The Second Annex to Leaves of Grass. Conservator 2. September 1891, 51-2.New York Tribune. A Melancholy Book. August 16, 1891. p. 14.United States Review. Walt Whitman and His Poems. September 5, 1855. 205-12.