Walt Whitman, Philosopher Poet: Leaves of Grass by Indirection
Was Walt Whitman—celebrated poet of freedom and democracy—a determinist at heart? A close study of Leaves of Grass shows that Whitman consistently acknowledges the inevitability of all things. As John McDonald argues, this seeming contradiction lies at the heart of Whitman's poetry, a fact continually overlooked in the more than 100 years that critics have written about the poet and his magnum opus.

This volume contains an extensive study of Walt Whitman's poetry that explores both Whitman's guiding philosophy and its uses to unlock meaning within Leaves of Grass. Beginning with a detailed explanation of determinism, the author examines Whitman's use of indirection, which the poet referred to at times as a game played to evade the reader's comprehension. The work seeks to define a philosophy which was, in the author's opinion, the most significant influence in Whitman's thought and in his art. Various poems are examined in depth, including Song of Myself, Passage to India and the particularly significant With Antecedents. Gathered here will be evidence from Whitman's poems and prose and from his notes and quoted remarks, enough evidence to show beyond doubt that determinism was indeed his most significant influence. An innovative look at one of America's greatest poets.

1101233820
Walt Whitman, Philosopher Poet: Leaves of Grass by Indirection
Was Walt Whitman—celebrated poet of freedom and democracy—a determinist at heart? A close study of Leaves of Grass shows that Whitman consistently acknowledges the inevitability of all things. As John McDonald argues, this seeming contradiction lies at the heart of Whitman's poetry, a fact continually overlooked in the more than 100 years that critics have written about the poet and his magnum opus.

This volume contains an extensive study of Walt Whitman's poetry that explores both Whitman's guiding philosophy and its uses to unlock meaning within Leaves of Grass. Beginning with a detailed explanation of determinism, the author examines Whitman's use of indirection, which the poet referred to at times as a game played to evade the reader's comprehension. The work seeks to define a philosophy which was, in the author's opinion, the most significant influence in Whitman's thought and in his art. Various poems are examined in depth, including Song of Myself, Passage to India and the particularly significant With Antecedents. Gathered here will be evidence from Whitman's poems and prose and from his notes and quoted remarks, enough evidence to show beyond doubt that determinism was indeed his most significant influence. An innovative look at one of America's greatest poets.

39.95 In Stock
Walt Whitman, Philosopher Poet: Leaves of Grass by Indirection

Walt Whitman, Philosopher Poet: Leaves of Grass by Indirection

by John W. McDonald
Walt Whitman, Philosopher Poet: Leaves of Grass by Indirection

Walt Whitman, Philosopher Poet: Leaves of Grass by Indirection

by John W. McDonald

Overview

Was Walt Whitman—celebrated poet of freedom and democracy—a determinist at heart? A close study of Leaves of Grass shows that Whitman consistently acknowledges the inevitability of all things. As John McDonald argues, this seeming contradiction lies at the heart of Whitman's poetry, a fact continually overlooked in the more than 100 years that critics have written about the poet and his magnum opus.

This volume contains an extensive study of Walt Whitman's poetry that explores both Whitman's guiding philosophy and its uses to unlock meaning within Leaves of Grass. Beginning with a detailed explanation of determinism, the author examines Whitman's use of indirection, which the poet referred to at times as a game played to evade the reader's comprehension. The work seeks to define a philosophy which was, in the author's opinion, the most significant influence in Whitman's thought and in his art. Various poems are examined in depth, including Song of Myself, Passage to India and the particularly significant With Antecedents. Gathered here will be evidence from Whitman's poems and prose and from his notes and quoted remarks, enough evidence to show beyond doubt that determinism was indeed his most significant influence. An innovative look at one of America's greatest poets.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9780786423880
Publisher: McFarland & Company, Inc., Publishers
Publication date: 03/06/2007
Pages: 250
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x 0.50(d)
Age Range: 18 Years

About the Author

The late John W. McDonald was a teacher and a fisherman. He lived in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Table of Contents

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments     
Preface     

I. The Unseen Roots     
II. Determinism     
III. The Epiphany     
IV. Inspirations     
V. A Few Faint Clews     
VI. The Meanness and Agony     
VII. The Beautiful Necessity     
VIII. The Indefinable It     
IX. The Greater Religion     

Notes     
Bibliography     
Index     
From the B&N Reads Blog
Page 1 of

Related Subjects

Literature
Literary Criticism
General & Miscellaneous Literary Criticism
American Literature
Poetry - Literary Criticism
Philosophy & Literature
American Poetry - 19th Century - Literary Criticism
Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)->Leaves of grass
Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)->Philosophy
Literature
Literary Criticism
General & Miscellaneous Literary Criticism
American Literature
Poetry - Literary Criticism
Philosophy & Literature
American Poetry - 19th Century - Literary Criticism
Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)->Leaves of grass
Whitman, Walt (1819-1892)->Philosophy

Customer Reviews