WhitmanÆs poetry offered a true definition of the American spirit, and his masterpiece Leaves of Grass may be considered a tribute to the American people and their way of life. When evaluating WhitmanÆs status as a writer and an artist, it is important to consider both the strengths that one may observe in poetry, as well as his weaknesses, as a thorough contemplation of WhitmanÆs skills as poet is the only true way to determine his place in the pantheon of American Literature. Ultimately, it becomes obvious that Whitman is one of the most significant figures in American Literature, on par with the likes of Nathaniel Hawthorne, and even surpassing the importance of early American writers such as William Bradford and Michael Wigglesworth.
When evaluating WhitmanÆs strengths as a poet, his ability to tap into the essence of a uniquely American spirit must certainly be placed at the top of the list. In many ways, Whitman may be considered the first truly American poet, and as a result, his work reflects the democratic character of the nation itself. Thus, WhitmanÆs poetry is the poetry of the common man, and perhaps more importantly, the individual. This is best exemplified in ôSong of Myself,ö whose title alone indicates WhitmanÆs intentions within the poem. The idea of the importance and power of the individual is central to American culture, as it is a democracy where each individual truly has a voice. ôSong of Myselfö seems to focus specifically on the poet himself, as Whitman begins by declaring, ôI celebrate myself, and sing myselfö (1), but America for Whitman is about more than simply the glorification of the individual. He also understands the significance of the nationÆs history as he explains, ôMy tongue, every atom of my blood, formÆd from this soil, this air,/Born here of parents born here from parents the same, and their parents the sameàö (6-7). As a result, WhitmanÆs poetry is not simply a...