Walt Whitman as a Transcendental Poet

Walt Whitman is often hailed as one of the greatest American poets, and his work is often associated with the Transcendentalist movement, which emphasized the importance of intuition and individuality. Whitman’s transcendentalist sensibilities are evident in his most famous work, “Leaves of Grass,” which embodies the philosophy of self-reliance and the belief in the inherent goodness of humanity. This essay will explore Whitman’s poetry to elucidate his transcendentalist leanings and how they contribute to his significance as a poet.

Firstly, Whitman’s celebration of individuality and self-reliance is one of the defining features of his transcendentalist poetry. In “Song of Myself,” Whitman exalts the self and argues for the importance of embracing one’s individuality. He declares, “I celebrate myself, / And what I assume you shall assume, / For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” This emphasis on the equality and worth of every individual reflects the transcendental belief in the inherent goodness of humanity and the importance of following one’s own intuition rather than conforming to societal norms. Whitman’s celebration of the self and his rejection of traditional social constructs embody the core principles of Transcendentalism.

Furthermore, Whitman’s connection to nature and his belief in the divinity of the natural world are also characteristic of transcendentalist thought. In “I Sing the Body Electric,” he extols the interconnectedness of all living things, proclaiming, “The love of the body of man or woman balks account, the body itself balks account,/That of the male is perfect, and that of the female is perfect.” Here, Whitman emphasizes the innate purity and goodness of the human body, aligning himself with the transcendentalist belief in the inherent divinity of nature. Like other Transcendentalists, Whitman finds spiritual revelation and enlightenment in nature, and this belief is reflected in his poetry.

Additionally, Whitman’s use of free verse and his rejection of formal poetic structures can be seen as a reflection of his transcendentalist ideals. Transcendentalism emphasizes the concept of non-conformity and trusting individual intuition, and this is mirrored in Whitman’s unconventional and free-flowing style. Instead of adhering to the traditional rhyming and metrical patterns of poetry, Whitman’s poems flow freely, mirroring the spontaneous and intuitive expression of transcendentalist thought. His unconventional style is a manifestation of his belief in the importance of personal expression and the rejection of societal norms.

The transcendentalists shows resentment towards the growing materialism in the society. The poem “In Paths Untrodden” shows a clear example of a poet wanting to walk the untrodden path. It is the path which has not been undertaken by anyone. The poem celebrates individuality which is a common feature of transcendentalism and it shows the escapism from the material world. He states that he wants to get away from “the clank of the world” meaning that he wants to escape from the materialism and moral decay of the society.

Whitman as a transcendentalist shows mysticism in his writings. It is evident in his poem “Songs of Myself” which has many complex philosophical thoughts and ideas. He believes in the interconnection of divinity in the living things which is mysticism. It is also evident in his poem “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d” where the poet seeks the ultimate reality of death. The death is meditate upon in the poem and it captures the transitional elements to the age of realism portraying the elegiac nuances for Abraham Lincoln. There are multiple musings of philosophy regarding death in the poem symbolically that seeks the ultimate reality for truth and of death which incorporates the mystical element in the poem.

In conclusion, Walt Whitman’s status as a transcendentalist poet is evident in his celebration of individuality and self-reliance, his reverence for the natural world, and his rejection of formal poetic structures. His poems, particularly those in “Leaves of Grass,” exemplify the transcendentalist belief in the inherent goodness of humanity, the divinity of nature, and the importance of self-expression. Whitman’s poetry serves as a testament to the enduring influence of transcendentalist thought in American literature and the enduring relevance of its central tenets. His work continues to inspire readers and writers alike, serving as a timeless testament to the enduring power of individuality and the natural world in the face of societal norms and constraints. Walt Whitman remains an iconic figure in American literature, revered for his contributions to the transcendentalist tradition and his enduring impact on the world of poetry.