"Flying is learning how to throw yourself at the ground and miss." - Douglas Adams

Tuesday, September 27, 2011

Walt Whitman

Who was Walt Whitman?
Walt Whitman was an important writer of the 1800's. He lived in Brooklyn and long Island. Now he is often referred to as "The Father of Free Verse." This is poetry that doesn't use rhymes or follow meter patterns. He lived May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892.

What type of literature did he write?
Walt was a poet, he wrote poetry.

Was he a realist or romanticist? Why?
Walt Whitman was a realist. He reformed the language of poetry and boldly linked it with the life of the people. With his knowledge of people he also linked it to the church and social life.



My Favorite Walt Whitman Poem

O CAPTAIN! MY CAPTAIN!
Walt Whitman (1819-1892)
O Captain! my Captain! our fearful trip is done,
The ship has weathered every rack, the prize we sought is won,
The port is near, the bells I hear, the people all exulting,
While follow eyes the steady keel, the vessel grim and daring;
   But O heart! heart! heart!
      O the bleeding drops of red,
         Where on the deck my Captain lies,
            Fallen cold and dead. 
 
O Captain! my Captain! rise up and hear the bells;
Rise up--for you the flag is flung--for you the bugle trills,
For you bouquets and ribboned wreaths--for you the shores
     a-crowding,
For you they call, the swaying mass, their eager faces turning;
   Here Captain! dear father!
      This arm beneath your head!
         It is some dream that on the deck
            You've fallen cold and dead. 

My captain does not answer, his lips are pale and still,
My father does not feel my arm, he has no pulse nor will,
The ship is anchored safe and sound, its voyage closed and done,
From fearful trip the victor ship comes in with object won;
   Exult, O shores, and ring O bells!
      But I, with mournful tread,
         Walk the deck my Captain lies,
            Fallen cold and dead.

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