Transcendentalism of Leaves of Grass by Walt Whitman Essay

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Walt Whitman is among the talented poets who, through his works, explored his identity and how it fits in the world. In his prominent and well-known poem Leaves of Grass, the author blurs the lines between a human, a narrator, and nature. In this sense, the reader can see how a man transcends mere existence and routine and concentrates on his surroundings. In this sense, Whitman applies imagery in order to show the readers the relationship between a human and nature.

The application of imagery is mainly olfactory, which implies the use of fragrances and scents. The speaker states, “Houses and rooms are full of perfumes, the shelves are crowded with perfumes, / I breathe the fragrance myself and know it and like it,” emphasizing the alluring smell of nature (Whitman 29). In another example, the author proceeds to admire the natural smells, such as “the sniff of green leaves and dry leaves, and of the shore” (Whitman 30).

Here, the author accentuates that he is alone and there is nobody around him, which allows him to unite with the surroundings, claiming that it is “the delight alone or in the rush of the streets, or along the fields and hill-sides” (Whitman 30). This corroborates the statement that Walt Whitman comprises the American transcendentalism movement since the poet illustrates unity and idealism through his work.

Hence, Whitman uses imagery to illustrate to the readers the connection between a human and the natural world. Olfactory imagery is mostly used, which indicates the utilization of smells and fragrances. The author emphasizes that he is alone and has no company, which enables him to blend in with his surroundings. This supports the claim that Walt Whitman is a key figure in the American transcendentalism movement since the poet exemplifies unity and idealism in his writing.

Work Cited

Whitman, Walt. Leaves of Grass. The Walt Whitman Archive, n.d. Web.

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