The Becoming Of A Great American Poet:A Study Of "Song Of Myself" In Walt Whitman's Different Editions Of Leaves Of Grass

Walt Whitman,born into the period of American Romanticism,is best known for his poetry.His revolutionary experiment in the form of poetry wins him the credit of"the father of free verse" in America.His Leaves of Grass is now universally taken as one of the most influential poetry collections in American Canon."Song of Myself" in Leaves of Grass has always been acclaimed as "representing the core of Whitman's poetic vision".Since its publication,"Song of Myself",has attracted numerous critics and invited countless literary criticism,ranging from form to theme at home and abroad.The previous researches about Whitman's "Song of Myself",whether in form or theme,are fairly comprehensive.However,all these researches belong to synchronic study that focuses on one particular edition during certain specific period of time.As a matter of fact,there are all together nine editions of Leaves of Grass,and "Song of Myself" has changed constantly,and assumed its shapes in five different versions.And every version differs from one to another in form and content.Thus,the analysis of the form and theme about this poem based on only one particular edition can be untenable and even inaccurate.Besides,the variations in different editions of "Song of Myself' record not only the development of Whitman's poetic form,language,and content but also the growth of the great poet.This thesis,therefore,endeavors to record the becoming of the great poet from the study of "Song of Myself' in the d i fferent editions of Leaves of Grass."Song of Myself" in the different editions of Leaves of Grass has witnessed the poet's growth during different periods of time.The first three editions(1855,1856,1860)before the American Civil War announces the emergence of the bard of democracy with its radical poetic revolution and democratic ideas.The second three editions(1867,1871,1876)bear the influence of the American Civil War upon Whitman;he manages to negotiate between poetic innovation and tradition,and accept the merging of ideal and reality.The last three editions(1881,1888,1892)witness the maturity of Walt Whitman in poetic form,language and thought.Through the study of "Song of Myself" in the different editions of Leaves of Grass,this thesis concludes that Walt Whitman has transformed successfully from a radical poetic reformer into a mature American poet.His contribution to American poetry can parallel that of Mark Twain to American fiction.As Mark Twain was praised as the Lincoln of American literature,Walt Whitman can be justly credited as the Lincoln of American poetry.