Evaluate Whitman as a poet of democracy.

Answer

Evaluate Whitman as a poet of democracy. [NU: 2018, 20, 22] ★★★

Walt Whitman (1819–1892) is a major American poet. He is often referred to as the poet of democracy. His work celebrates the ordinary people. He believed in equality and freedom for all. His poetry gives a voice to every individual. He wrote about a collective American identity. He saw beauty in the everyday life of people. His poems are a true song for a democratic nation. Let us evaluate him as a poet of democracy. 

Common People: Whitman’s poetry celebrates ordinary citizens. He finds heroes in regular men and women. He writes about carpenters, masons, and mothers. He believes they build the nation. Their work is dignified and important. In “Song of Myself,” he writes, 

“I am large, I contain multitudes.” 

This line shows his connection to all people. He feels he is part of everyone. He values their collective spirit. He sings for their daily lives and struggles. He makes their experiences the subject of great poetry. This focus makes him a true democratic poet.

Collective Mourning: Whitman uses poetry for public grief. He writes elegies for a fallen leader. His poem ‘O Captain! My Captain!’ mourns Abraham Lincoln. He uses the metaphor of a ship. The ship is the United States. The poem says, 

“The ship has weather’d every rack, the prize we sought is won.” 

The nation won the Civil War. But the captain is dead. The poem shares this sadness with all Americans. It is a national song of loss. It unites everyone in mourning.

Democratic Language: Whitman broke old poetic rules. He used a simple, free style. He wanted his poetry to be for everyone. He used the language of ordinary men. His long lines sound like natural speech. This makes his work easy to understand. It is not just for educated elites. In ‘O Captain! My Captain!’, he uses a regular rhythm. This helped make the poem very popular. His style itself is a democratic act. It invites all people to read his work.

Inclusive American Voice: Whitman builds a broad, shared voice. He lists places, jobs, and daily life. This voice welcomes all classes and regions. He sees body and soul as one. He speaks for a whole land. He says, 

“Lo, body and soul—this land,” 

That line joins people and places. He shows rivers, towns, ships, and homes. Such catalogs feel democratic and open. People hear themselves inside his lines. Thus, national identity grows through poetry.

Spiritual Equality: Whitman sees a divine soul in every person. He connects the body and the soul. He celebrates the physical self. He believes all people are equal in spirit. In “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d,” he offers a sprig of lilac. He says it is “for coffins all.” This means he honors all deaths equally. He praises: 

“For the sure-enwinding arms of cool-enfolding death.” 

Death is a great equalizer. It comes to everyone. This demonstrates his profound conviction in human equality.

In conclusion, Whitman truly is the poet of democracy. He celebrated the common person. He gave them a voice in his work. He wrote for a collective national experience. His style was open and free for all. He envisioned a united and spiritual America. His poetry remains a powerful democratic song.