A Study On Walt Whitman's Democratic Thought In Leaves Of Grass

Walt Whitman is a great American democratic poet in the 19th century.In Leaves of Grass,Whitman abandons the traditional metrical patterns of poetry,and adopts free verse to sing praises for one's self,for the broad masses of common people,for the ideas of freedom,equality,fraternity,and for his democratic ideal and speculation.Since the first edition of Leaves of Grass was published,it has been highly controversial,but after the 20th century,more and more scholars began to study and draw inspiration from Whitman's democratic thought,and finally have acknowledged its values.Starting with perusing Leaves of Grass and analyzing the verses carefully,and taking into consideration of the political,economic,cultural and social background of the United States at that time,this thesis summarizes three core points of Whitman's democratic thought--individualism,community consciousness and writing for democracy's sake.Through the analysis of these three aspects,this thesis reveals Whitman's ideas of personal development,and the freedom and equality that a democratic community should guarantee,as well as the role poets should play in the process of individual and community developments.This thesis is comprised of five parts.The Introduction starts with a discussion on Walt Whitman and Leaves of Grass,and then summarizes the studies on his democratic thought in Leaves of Grass at home and abroad.The main body contains three chapters.Chapter One analyzes Whitman's thought on individualism.The foundation of a democratic community is masses of individuals who embrace the idea of democracy and who are capable of practicing a democratic life.Normal simplicity,moral conscience,healthy body and self-reliance should characterize the personality of an ideal individual.Whitman believes that Americans ought to cast off outdated belief and European traditions in personal development,and try hard to become more independent,democratic and modern.Chapter Two discusses Whitman's consciousness of community.The relationship between individuals and community is an indispensable part of democratic consciousness.A democratic community should guarantee the necessary freedom and equality of individuals,and eliminate factors which hinder the natural development of individuality.At the same time,there is comradeship or companionship in community.Whitman believes that individuals are all comrades and harbor love for others.Comradeship among individuals constitutes a democratic community.Chapter Three presents Whitman's purpose of creating Leaves of Grass.To Whitman,poets should be the spokesmen of American democracy,singing praises for the spiritual independence of the new nation,for the struggle of common people,for the booming development of community.He hopes his poetry could have a positive impact on the formation of ideal individualism and a democratic community.From the above analysis,this thesis concludes that,as Whitman's representative masterpiece and the crystallization of his life experience,Leaves of Grass fully embodies his democratic thought.Whitman creates a popular,typical "self' in his poems,and portrays his prospect of a bright democratic community.His democratic thought is of great significance for the development of individualism and American democracy.