I don't understand Whitman. I don't get his enthusiasm

pleb

He saw the possibilities of a young, brooding, expanding nation and the principles it represented and stood for: freedom and democracy. He later became disenchanted and disappointed by the war and by slavery, though he was all for annexing all the territory America could lay its hands on.

>>9830143
Read his prologue to "Leaves of Grass," man, it fully reveals the reasons for his passionate hope for America and its people, particularly the splendor of the common men and women.

Hijacking this thread: which edition of Leaves of Grass should I get?

>>9830357
1855. If you like it enough, read the deathbed edition as well.

>>9830366
Thank you anon.

>>9830151

I'm not familiar with whitman's work. But would you say that this 'thoughtful nationalism' (that I'm imagining) is a reason why is a famous writer in america? i.e. would we be talking about him now if he was poo-pooing manifest destiny?

>>9830143
He knew Donald Trump would come and save us all

>>9830631
based walt

>>9830625
no to your first question, yes to the second. We read/discuss him because of the poetry. He was anti-war, being anti-expansionism would not mar his political record. But again, poetry not politics is the reason he is talked about.

>>9830143
c.f Emerson bruh

>>9830143
He says so in his poetry, dude.