Walt Whitman
Born: 05-30-1819
Walt Whitman (1819–1892) was an influential American poet, essayist, and journalist renowned for his groundbreaking work, "Leaves of Grass." Embracing themes of democracy, nature, and individuality, Whitman's free verse and innovative style revolutionized American poetry. As a humanist, he celebrated the human spirit and the American experience, becoming a central figure in the transition between transcendentalism and realism. His literary contributions continue to inspire and resonate globally.
Book summaries for books written by Walt Whitman
Quotes
Do I contradict myself? Very well, then I contradict myself, I am large, I contain multitudes.
I exist as I am, that is enough.
I celebrate myself, and sing myself.
I am not the poet of goodness only, I do not decline to be the poet of wickedness also.
I am the mate and companion of people, all just as immortal and fathomless as myself.
I am of old and young, of the foolish as much as the wise.
I am the hounded slave, I wince at the bite of the dogs.
I resist any thing better than my own diversity.
I am the poet of the Body and I am the poet of the Soul.
I do not ask the wounded person how he feels, I myself become the wounded person.
I believe in you my soul, the other I am must not abase itself to you.
I am the teacher of athletes, He that by me spreads a wider breast than my own proves the width of my own.