There have been a few things touched on in class that I've found to be completely interesting and when it comes to choosing one to focus on, I've found great difficulty.
I fully enjoyed the YouTubing Whitman project as I felt like it helped me to understand the raw power of Whitman's poetry. My only problem with that project was that I didn't spend more time with it. I feel like I could've made my video much better if only I had not limited myself to a simple reading. If I were to expand on this project I would make it much longer and take a lot more time to really dive in and immerse myself on Walt's words.
The other project that I enjoyed a lot and have thought about expanding my research on is finding Whitman references/influences in mass culture. If I expanded this research I would reach closer into films and literature to find more instances of Walt. I would also not limit my research to only American references, but attempt to examine his influence, if any, in other countries.
I'm very torn between these two projects and have, as of yet, not decided on one.
Thursday, March 29, 2012
Wednesday, March 14, 2012
THROUGH EIGHT YEARS
I really liked this piece for a variety of reasons. First of all it reminded me of a lot of pop culture which, in light of recent posts, really strikes me as interesting. Maybe Walt is in more pop culture than we know. Walt goes through eight years of his life in a short paragraph and is astounding at his ability to cram so much information into such a limited amount of space. It reminded me of Watchmen, both the graphic novel and the film, in which Dr. Manhattan, a super natural lead character, narrates most of his life's big events in a short series of panels (or minutes in the film's case). The voice of this piece also reminded me of a sort of Vonnegut Jr.- like voice. It was quick, to the point, yet oh, so descriptive.
I also liked the fact that Whitman mentions his own publication of Leaves of Grass in this piece. He mentions a little about how he left pieces out and briefly mentions that he had some difficulties in editing (even though this was one of his favorite pastimes with later editions). This piece really gave me a great insight into the mind of Walt, how it worked, and how he worked.
I also liked the fact that Whitman mentions his own publication of Leaves of Grass in this piece. He mentions a little about how he left pieces out and briefly mentions that he had some difficulties in editing (even though this was one of his favorite pastimes with later editions). This piece really gave me a great insight into the mind of Walt, how it worked, and how he worked.
Tupperware? More like Tupper War.
Martin Farquhar Tupper. You've got to love the name Farquhar. He should've just dropped the Martin and gone by his middle name, maybe he would've lasted with a name like that. Though sadly, Tupper seems to be one of those poets that will only be mentioned in slight passing, having a page or two among a thousand in an anthology somewhere. When researching a poet and reading something like "His blank verse is just prose cut up into suitable lengths" you can assume that they aren't the most talented or memorable poet. Nonetheless, Tupper was still popular in Britain, and though he failed miserably at first in America he managed to sell about one million copies of his Proverbial Philosophy in America in 1867. This year stuck out to me and after scratching my head for a few moments I had realized why. What was the reason I was looking up Tupper in the first place? Oh yeah... WALTY!
Old Walt put out an edition of Leaves of Grass in 1867. His sales would have been in competition with Tupper! Not only had these two authors been compared and reviewed alongside each other, they were now selling against each other. From what I read, this wasn't a great edition as far as selling goes for Walt either. Looks like he may have lost that battle, but isn't always the war that matters? Tupper probably isn't taught too often in school, and his books probably aren't flying off of the shelves anymore (it actually might take some searching to actually find one). On the other hand, Whitman is taught frequently and people still purchase his poetry for the sake of a good read. One had his time, the other is timeless. Looks like Walt has won the war. Sorry, M. Farquhar Tupper (See, what did I say? Has much more of a ring to it).
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Extree! Extree! Read all about it! Walt Whitman is all over the media!
First thing's first. What's hot? The Occupy movement had its moment of shining glory and still pops up in the news from time to time. So Hell, why not use that opportunity to quote Whitman? It's effective isn't it? Whitman is a well known author, and people are bound to recognize his poetry. I found this picture to be appropriate for the times as Occupy became a very hot topic in mass culture, not only in America, but world wide.
Second is yet again another The Simpsons reference to old Walter. While I could not find a video of this particular clip it is apparent that Lisa is reading Leaves of Grass to a beached whale. Attempting to console the poor dying creature in its dying moments (Very Walt Whitman of you, Lisa). Of course Bart Simpson would be doing the exact opposite and being a jerk to the dying whale. That was, of course, easy to find a clip of. I've included a picture of Lisa and video of Bart to show the contrasting characters, and just for a bit of fun.
"The world below the brine; Forests at the bottom of the sea—the branches and leaves, sea-lettuce, vast lichens, strange flowers and seeds…" Quote from Lisa, from Walt, to the whale.
Finally, to wrap up my fun discovery night, I leave you with a meme (one of my favorite forms of recent internet culture). This particular type of meme usually portrays Ryan Gosling saying some form of pick-up line, and they are typically hilarious. I was delighted to find this one, and must say it's one of my new favorites.
I find it interesting that Whitman has been alluded to in film, music, television, and even new forms of internet media. There might never be an end to the quotability and relativity of Walt Whitman.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
[Anonymous]. "[A curious title]." Life Illustrated (28 July 1855)
This anonymous author seemed to be more focused on Walt Whitman as a man more than anything else. In this review "Anonymous" talks about the title, Whitman's portrait, he discusses Whitman as "the perfect loafer", he continues to talk about the preface, then offers a replacement title: American Life, from a Poetical Loafer's Point of View, and wraps up his review by marveling over the fact that Whitman did not care about sales, but rather wrote just for the joy of it all. This author hardly mentioned the actual poetry of the book and merely called its lines "utterances (we know not what else to call them), unconnected, curious, and original." This author obviously cared a lot about the man behind the work, as he intrigued him just as much, if not more than the actual book. This isn't too different from a modern review. Walt Whitman is just as striking as his poetry, and he is studied right alongside his poetry. To attempt to understand and fully grasp Leaves of Grass, one must begin to understand Walt Whitman in all of his loafing glory.
[Anonymous]. "'Leaves of Grass'—An Extraordinary Book." The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 15 (15 September 1855)
Once again Whitman's poetry is described as an utterance in this piece. I feel that at the time, there was no better way to describe Whitman's style of poetry. My second observation (which is more of a side note) is that the author of this piece called him Walter Whitman. This isn't too out of the ordinary, since that is his name after all, but I just found it funny since I had never seen it written as such.
This review gave me some difficulty. At some ends the author seems to enjoy Walter for the beauty of his imagery and command over words, but then seems to loathe him for his vagueness and lack of traditional poetic style - He even goes as far as to name all of the different poetic styles of the ages, just to prove his point. This author is quite indifferent towards Whitman while leaning more to the negative view of things, it seems. The book "staggered" the author beyond judgment or criticism, though his own negative judgment certainly seems to slip through the cracks of his own indifferent review.
Whitman, Walt. "Walt Whitman, a Brooklyn Boy." The Brooklyn Daily Times (29 September 1855)
Here is Walt Whitman at his finest, praising himself in a third-person point of view. He talks about egotism, questioning, "What good is it to argue about egotism?" The egotist admitting to his own egotistical review, classic! Whitman gloats over himself saying that nearly every aspect of his life has purpose (most notably his writing). I really like Whitman's praise over the fact that no other author's spirit had touched him. His writing was that of genuine genius and genuine inspiration. This may be true, it also may not be, only Whitman would truly know. What's funny about that is the fact that Whitman is praising himself over his genuine style when the biggest problem many critics had was his "lack" of style. Here is Walt saying that it is purely him, his poetry, no inspiration required, his poetry IS Walt Whitman in every aspect. One of the most positive reviews about Whitman was that of his own hand. The character of Walt Whitman that the first reviewer I discussed praised continues his enigmatic and curious legacy by reviewing his own work.
And one more that I just could not resist!
[Anonymous]. "A Pleasant Quiz." The Albion, A Journal of News, Politics and Literature 14.36 (8 September 1855)
HA!! I needed to add this review for the sheer hilarity of it all. "that it suggests the notice of a man reviewing his own work—is not of much importance." Sorry Walter... Though it's not like this stopped him as he continued to review his own work multiple times.
This anonymous author seemed to be more focused on Walt Whitman as a man more than anything else. In this review "Anonymous" talks about the title, Whitman's portrait, he discusses Whitman as "the perfect loafer", he continues to talk about the preface, then offers a replacement title: American Life, from a Poetical Loafer's Point of View, and wraps up his review by marveling over the fact that Whitman did not care about sales, but rather wrote just for the joy of it all. This author hardly mentioned the actual poetry of the book and merely called its lines "utterances (we know not what else to call them), unconnected, curious, and original." This author obviously cared a lot about the man behind the work, as he intrigued him just as much, if not more than the actual book. This isn't too different from a modern review. Walt Whitman is just as striking as his poetry, and he is studied right alongside his poetry. To attempt to understand and fully grasp Leaves of Grass, one must begin to understand Walt Whitman in all of his loafing glory.
[Anonymous]. "'Leaves of Grass'—An Extraordinary Book." The Brooklyn Daily Eagle 15 (15 September 1855)
Once again Whitman's poetry is described as an utterance in this piece. I feel that at the time, there was no better way to describe Whitman's style of poetry. My second observation (which is more of a side note) is that the author of this piece called him Walter Whitman. This isn't too out of the ordinary, since that is his name after all, but I just found it funny since I had never seen it written as such.
This review gave me some difficulty. At some ends the author seems to enjoy Walter for the beauty of his imagery and command over words, but then seems to loathe him for his vagueness and lack of traditional poetic style - He even goes as far as to name all of the different poetic styles of the ages, just to prove his point. This author is quite indifferent towards Whitman while leaning more to the negative view of things, it seems. The book "staggered" the author beyond judgment or criticism, though his own negative judgment certainly seems to slip through the cracks of his own indifferent review.
Whitman, Walt. "Walt Whitman, a Brooklyn Boy." The Brooklyn Daily Times (29 September 1855)
Here is Walt Whitman at his finest, praising himself in a third-person point of view. He talks about egotism, questioning, "What good is it to argue about egotism?" The egotist admitting to his own egotistical review, classic! Whitman gloats over himself saying that nearly every aspect of his life has purpose (most notably his writing). I really like Whitman's praise over the fact that no other author's spirit had touched him. His writing was that of genuine genius and genuine inspiration. This may be true, it also may not be, only Whitman would truly know. What's funny about that is the fact that Whitman is praising himself over his genuine style when the biggest problem many critics had was his "lack" of style. Here is Walt saying that it is purely him, his poetry, no inspiration required, his poetry IS Walt Whitman in every aspect. One of the most positive reviews about Whitman was that of his own hand. The character of Walt Whitman that the first reviewer I discussed praised continues his enigmatic and curious legacy by reviewing his own work.
And one more that I just could not resist!
[Anonymous]. "A Pleasant Quiz." The Albion, A Journal of News, Politics and Literature 14.36 (8 September 1855)
HA!! I needed to add this review for the sheer hilarity of it all. "that it suggests the notice of a man reviewing his own work—is not of much importance." Sorry Walter... Though it's not like this stopped him as he continued to review his own work multiple times.
Thursday, March 1, 2012
Tweet a week: Frances Wright
Frances Wright was a radical woman(and I mean that in every sense of the word). Hailing from Scotland and visiting America in her youth she was a very outspoken young woman, believing in equal rights for women, sexual freedom for women, emancipation of slaves, free education and various other things. She was an author, writing both books and editorials in her own newspaper. Her works made her very popular in the literary world as well as the activist world.
Of course Walt would take interest in Fanny and find inspiration in her words. She was outspoken just as he was and their political views seem to be quite similar. Their views on slavery are similar as well, though Fanny seems more radical in her views on matters than Walt does. Her writings (from the snippets that I've read online) seem to be more direct than Walt's as well. Walt seems to tell more of a story with his words, depicting his issue in a poetic vision, whit Wright is a lot more straightforward in her word usage.
A Song For Occupations - "This is Unfinished Business With Me"
I found this poem striking as it differs from Song of Myself in that it uses less of Walt's classic me, me, me talk and focuses more on the YOU. I suppose in a song FOR the occupations it would have to be more about the you anyways, since Walt's favorite occupation was, of course, loafing.
Throughout the course of the poem's career the name was changed several times. It started out unnamed, and then evolved into Poem of the Daily Work of the Workmen and Workwomen of These States in 1856, Chants Democratic in 1860, To Workingmen in 1867, Carol of Occupations in 1872, and finally A Song for Occupations in all subsequent editions. But the title was not the only change made to the poem throughout the various years of updating. The poem itself underwent numerous changes as well. First of all there are the various punctuation differences: the addition and subtraction of various dashes, the addition of parentheses around lines. These changes add to tone and style, making the poem mean different things to each reader as they are able to pause and reflect at punctuation marks as they please. But the punctuation almost seems unnoticeable when comparing the first version of the poem to the last.
When looking at the poems side by side you would notice that the words in the poem change drastically. While the 1855 edition opens with "Come closer to me" a warm embrace from Walt asking you to heed his gentle call, some of the later editions begin opening with, "A song for occupations!" which demonstrate Walt's call to arms almost quickly and fiercely grabbing reader's attentions. But he isn't just calling to any reader, he is calling to the working class. I also found it interesting that Walt is not only calling to the working men, but the working women as well. While the earlier of the versions of the poem seem to be subtly calling to the working class to lightly embrace Whitman, the later versions he is calling more specifically to certain workers in less of an embrace, but more of a "wake-up call."
Throughout the course of the poem's career the name was changed several times. It started out unnamed, and then evolved into Poem of the Daily Work of the Workmen and Workwomen of These States in 1856, Chants Democratic in 1860, To Workingmen in 1867, Carol of Occupations in 1872, and finally A Song for Occupations in all subsequent editions. But the title was not the only change made to the poem throughout the various years of updating. The poem itself underwent numerous changes as well. First of all there are the various punctuation differences: the addition and subtraction of various dashes, the addition of parentheses around lines. These changes add to tone and style, making the poem mean different things to each reader as they are able to pause and reflect at punctuation marks as they please. But the punctuation almost seems unnoticeable when comparing the first version of the poem to the last.
When looking at the poems side by side you would notice that the words in the poem change drastically. While the 1855 edition opens with "Come closer to me" a warm embrace from Walt asking you to heed his gentle call, some of the later editions begin opening with, "A song for occupations!" which demonstrate Walt's call to arms almost quickly and fiercely grabbing reader's attentions. But he isn't just calling to any reader, he is calling to the working class. I also found it interesting that Walt is not only calling to the working men, but the working women as well. While the earlier of the versions of the poem seem to be subtly calling to the working class to lightly embrace Whitman, the later versions he is calling more specifically to certain workers in less of an embrace, but more of a "wake-up call."
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