Walt Whitman by Zhang Ying & Yan Yan

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

Life and career

His works

Critical response

Walt Whitman (1819-1892)

1. His life

--------------------------------------Life and career

born on May 31,1819West Hills, Town of Huntington,Long Island, New York, U.S

died in March, 1892 (aged 72)Camden, New Jersey, U.S

9 children, ranked secondfailed in investment, poor condition, unhappy childhood

--------------------------------------Life and career

At age 11, he concluded formal schooling and then sought employment for further income for his family.

During his life, he worked as a teacher, as an apprentice to a printer, and as the editor of various newspaper.

In 1842, he produced a temperance novel <Franklin Evans>

-------------------------------------- Life and career

In 1848, he lost his position at the BrooklynEagle because his political standpoint was opposite to his boss'.

In 1855, he published the first edition of Leaves of Grass with his own money. Then he continued expanding and revising it until his death in 1892.

During the Civil War, he was not only a suppoter of the struggle for the abolition of slavery, but also a volunteer male nurse.

Leaves of Grass

Franklin Evans（ 1842）

Drum-taps

Major Works

Unique

The most popular American poet in 19th century

Leaves of Grass 草叶

集

“ Song of myself "

"I Sit and Look Out "

A poetry collection which he continued editting and revising until his death.

The poems are loosely connected and each represents his celebration of philosophy of life and humanity.

It Exalted the body and material world. (the first edition)

The poems do not rhyme or follow standard rules for meter and line length.

Critical response

He was fired/ thrown his edition into fire/ a mass of stupid filth/ the second edition suspended

Achieve success

A classic / played a prominent role/ analyzed and discussed the connections/ accepted and embraced by populace

Thank you!