When the 52-year-old Walt Whitman published his essay “From Democratic Vistas” in 1871, the end of the Civil War was only six years ago. The wounds of this five-year-war of brother against brother were certainly not healed and the question of re-unification was still un-answered. During the 1860s and 1870s the United States were changing tremendously. Due to the Civil War, the Reconstruction Era and the following Gilded Age, America was turning into a modern, industrialized country where materialism seemed to be the finite answer. Though Whitman fully acknowledged this materialistic development of his country, he nevertheless saw beyond the simple answers of wealth and prosperity. Whitman realized that the United States found themselves at a turning point, which was to decide upon their democratic future.
At this point in time, Whitman wrote his essay “From Democratic Vistas” on the outlooks of America’s future democracy. According to him, this future lied in a democratic nationality and a spiritual union that could only be achieved through a national literature.
The call for a national literature led by the American poet was not something new in Whitman’s written work. Already in his “Preface 1855 – Leaves of Grass,” published six years before the beginning of the Civil War, he had formulated that America “with veins full of poetical stuff most need[s] poets.” Nevertheless, there is a noticeable difference between the general role of the poet in his 1855 preface and the urgent need of national literary figures in times of re-unification that Whitman put forth in his 1871 essay. While Whitman’s poet in the 1855 preface obtained the role of an observer of the country and her common people, the poet’s role in “From Democratic Vistas” changed into an active builder of democracy.
This change of role is due to Whitman’s personal experiences during the war. The healing process of re-unification after the war was not simply a materialistic or institutional reunion for him, but rather an act of forming a sense of nationhood within the American people. This was the poet’s task. Being no longer an observer from the outside, Whitman’s challenged poet was forced to take up an active stand in the nation-building process after the Civil War.
Table of Contents
- I. Introduction
- II. Preface 1855 - Leaves of Grass
- i. The Poet's Role
- ii. The Poet's Language
- iii. The Poet's Themes
- III. From Democratic Vistas (1871)
- i. The State of the Nation
- ii. A National Literature for America
- iii. The Poet's Role in Developing a National Identity
- IV. Poetry - The New Religion
Objectives and Key Themes
This paper compares Walt Whitman's concept of the poet's role in developing a national identity, as presented in his "Preface 1855 – Leaves of Grass" and "From Democratic Vistas" (1871). It analyzes how Whitman's perspective on the poet's function evolved between these two works, particularly in light of the Civil War and the subsequent era of Reconstruction.
- The evolving role of the poet in American society.
- The relationship between the poet, the nation, and the common people.
- The importance of national literature in shaping a democratic identity.
- Whitman's response to the socio-political climate of post-Civil War America.
- The concept of poetry as a unifying force in a nation.
Chapter Summaries
I. Introduction: This chapter sets the stage for the analysis by establishing the historical context of Whitman's "From Democratic Vistas," written in the aftermath of the Civil War. It highlights the profound social and political changes occurring in the United States during the 1860s and 1870s, emphasizing the nation's transition into a modern, industrialized society and the ongoing debate about its democratic future. Whitman's essay is presented as a crucial response to this period, addressing the need for a national literature to solidify American democracy and its spiritual union. The introduction effectively foreshadows the core argument: Whitman's evolving view of the poet's role in nation-building, transitioning from an observer in his 1855 preface to an active participant in "From Democratic Vistas."
II. Preface 1855 - Leaves of Grass: This section delves into Whitman's 1855 preface, focusing on his views regarding the role of the poet in American society. It highlights Whitman's emphasis on the interconnectedness of the poet, the nation, and its people, portraying a symbiotic relationship where the poet draws inspiration from the nation and, in turn, shapes it through their work. Whitman's focus on the "common people" as the true essence of American poetry, rather than the elite, is discussed. The chapter analyzes how Whitman's ideas challenged conventional poetic expression and foreshadowed significant changes in American poetry. His vision of a national literature led by a great American poet, yet to emerge, is highlighted as pivotal to his "cultural revolution."
III. From Democratic Vistas (1871): This chapter analyzes Whitman's "From Democratic Vistas," examining his assessment of the nation's state and his urgent call for a national literature. It contrasts his earlier views from the 1855 preface with his perspective in "From Democratic Vistas," showing how the Civil War impacted his understanding of the poet's role. The chapter explores Whitman's argument that a truly democratic nation needs its own art, literature, and poetry to achieve complete self-expression. It further details how he viewed the poet's role evolving from a passive observer to an active builder of democracy, actively shaping the nation's identity and fostering a sense of national unity.
Keywords
Walt Whitman, American poetry, national identity, democracy, Leaves of Grass, From Democratic Vistas, poet's role, national literature, Civil War, Reconstruction Era, American exceptionalism.
Frequently Asked Questions: A Comparative Analysis of Walt Whitman's "Preface 1855 - Leaves of Grass" and "From Democratic Vistas"
What is the main focus of this document?
This document provides a comprehensive overview of a comparative analysis of Walt Whitman's concepts of the poet's role in shaping national identity, as presented in his "Preface 1855 – Leaves of Grass" and "From Democratic Vistas" (1871). It examines how his perspective evolved between these two works, particularly considering the impact of the Civil War and Reconstruction.
What are the key themes explored in the analysis?
The key themes include the evolving role of the poet in American society; the relationship between the poet, the nation, and the common people; the importance of national literature in shaping a democratic identity; Whitman's response to the socio-political climate of post-Civil War America; and the concept of poetry as a unifying force in a nation.
What is covered in the "Preface 1855 - Leaves of Grass" section?
This section analyzes Whitman's 1855 preface, focusing on his views of the poet's role in American society. It highlights the interconnectedness between the poet, the nation, and its people, emphasizing the poet's dual role of drawing inspiration from and shaping the nation through their work. The emphasis on "common people" as the essence of American poetry and the challenge to conventional poetic expression are discussed. Whitman's vision of a national literature is also highlighted.
What is covered in the "From Democratic Vistas (1871)" section?
This section examines Whitman's "From Democratic Vistas," analyzing his assessment of the nation's state and his call for a national literature. It contrasts his earlier views from the 1855 preface, showing how the Civil War impacted his understanding of the poet's role. The analysis explores his argument for the need of a nation's own art and literature for self-expression and his view of the poet evolving from a passive observer to an active builder of democracy.
How does the analysis compare the two works?
The analysis compares Whitman's views in the 1855 preface and "From Democratic Vistas" to show how his perspective on the poet's role evolved. It explores how the Civil War and the subsequent era of Reconstruction influenced his ideas and shaped his understanding of the poet's responsibility in fostering national unity and identity.
What is the overall conclusion of the analysis?
The analysis concludes by demonstrating Whitman's evolving concept of the poet's role, from an observer in his 1855 preface to an active participant in "From Democratic Vistas," highlighting the significant influence of the socio-political context on his artistic and philosophical development.
What are the key words associated with this analysis?
Key words include Walt Whitman, American poetry, national identity, democracy, Leaves of Grass, From Democratic Vistas, poet's role, national literature, Civil War, Reconstruction Era, and American exceptionalism.
What is the purpose of the chapter summaries?
The chapter summaries provide concise overviews of the main arguments and findings presented in each section of the analysis, offering a structured and accessible guide to the key concepts discussed.
Who is the intended audience for this document?
The intended audience is primarily academics and researchers interested in American literature, Walt Whitman's works, and the relationship between literature, national identity, and socio-political context. The structured and professional nature of the document makes it suitable for academic use, supporting research and analysis of thematic elements.
- Quote paper
- Sonja Longolius (Author), 2004, The Democratic Poet and His Prose on Democracy. The Poet's Role in Walt Whitman's "Preface 1855 - Leaves of Grass" and "From Democratic Vistas", Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/41724
