I found it difficult to follow Whitman's idea of "America" even I read the text twice, but I will do my best to write down what I understand in the first three paragraphs. Please correct me if I am wrong.
In the first paragraph, Whitman stated that America has been through a lot of things, and it "does not repel the past of what if has produced under its form or amid other politics of the idea of castes or the old religions." America has learned a lot from the lesson, and is ready to leave those things to find others that are appropriate for the present.
He then acknowledged the great things in America in the second paragraph. He said that"The United States themselves are essentially the greatest poem." America is a nation with patriotic people who cheer for their freedom and with good agricultural that can feed the people and their descendants.
I think Whitman really emphasis the freedom in America. In the third paragraph. he said that America is the best not because of its "executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges or churches or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors," but the common people who are friendly, enthusiastic about the freedom in this new nation.
However, I thought this idea contradict to Emerson's idea of the importance of the scholars/ poets that they are the central of the society? I am kind of confused.....
Howl vs. Leafs of Grass 5/18/11
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The major shocking similarity I see almost immediately is that the
formatting is very much the same in both of these works. It gives an
initial idea, and t...
14 years ago
Emerson challenges those who love letters to become the tellers of the story of this new land. He says that this story is so different and important that it would probably tell itself, but those who think have an obligation to interpret what is going on. Whitman expands on this idea; he accepts the challenge to process this new story of America and offer his version of the 'truth.' The lessons that America has learned are not just the lessons of this new land; they are the lessons of history to this point. Whitman recognizes that it is time for something new, and we must respect the institutions and ways of the past, but we must allow the new to come in because it will be best for the new time. Your question at the last of your post is a good one. Consider this idea: Emerson said that we might think of mankind as one organism. Each person must remember that he or she plays a part. Whitman seems to say that while all people will see the same things, he, in the role of the poet, recognizes what he sees and knows its importance; other parts of the body who do not share that job must rely on the poet to process the raw information into 'truth' or 'wisdom.'
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