Walt Whitman Biography

Walt Whitman was an American poet, essayist, and journalist born on May 31, 1819 in
West Hills, Town of Huntington, Long Island. Whitman stated that his childhood was generally
miserable due to familys economic hardships. When Whitman was only eleven years old, he
was done with formal schooling and became an apprentice at Long Islands newspaper, the
Patriot in order to help his family with income.
About a year later, Whitman took a job for another weekly newspaper, the Long-Island
Star. During this time, Whitman attributed his time towards the local library, a town debating
society, and theatre performances. Along with these, it was during this period which Whitman
anonymously published his early poetry in the New York Mirror. When he was 16, he left the
Star and moved to New York City. Although he became a compositor, finding further work was
strenuous at the time. He became a teacher at various schools, but eventually moved away to
begin his own newspaper, the Long Islander. After 10 months, he sold the publication. When he
shortly returned to teaching, he published editorials called, Sun-Down Papers From the Desk
of a Schoolmaster.
Months later, he moved to New York City again and worked for various newspapers.
Later on the road, he sparked a determination to write poetry. In 1850, he began writing Leaves
of Grass, a collection of poetry he continued to revise and edit throughout his lifetime. When he
first self-published it in 1855, the work received a lot of interest & controversy. It was usually
criticized for Whitmans obscene themes and poetry style.
During the Civil War, Whitman wrote many pieces. Whitmans family went through
many troubles during these years, and Whitman once again had difficulties finding work.
Whitman later published a pamphlet called, The Good Gray Poet, which defended his name and
increased his popularity. During this time period, the poet published, O Captain! My Captain!,
which also contributed to his popularity.
After suffering a paralytic stroke in 1873, he eventually moved in with his brother &
became bed ridden. In 1891, Whitman finished his final edition of Leaves of Grass. He died on
March 26, 1892.
Whitman was a daring writer, who incorporated both transcendentalism & realism in his
works. He often wrote about topics many other writers at the time wouldnt dare to associate
their names with. He is among the most influential poets in American literature and is renowned
as the father of free verse.

1|Page

Once I Passd Through a Populous City

Once I passd through a populous city, imprinting my brain, for future use, with its shows,
architecture, customs, and traditions;
Yet now, of all that city, I remember only a woman I casually met there, who detaind me for
love of me;
Day by day and night by night we were together,All else has long been forgotten by me;
I remember, I say, only that woman who passionately clung to me;
Again we wanderwe lovewe separate again;
Again she holds me by the handI must not go!
I see her close beside me, with silent lips, sad and tremulous.

2|Page

TPCASTT: Once I Passd Through a Populous City

Title: What predictions can you make from the
title? What are your initial thoughts about the
poem? What might be the theme of the poem?

I predict that the poem will be about city life.

From the poem, the poet sounds very remorseful.
I suppose that the theme of the poem is about lost
love.

Paraphrase: Summarize the poem in your own

words

The poet within this poem embarks in the city,

marveling at all it has to offer: its architecture,
customs, traditions, etc. However, he meets this
woman there that distracts him from everything
he initially admired about the city. They quickly
became lovers, but the poet had to leave the city.
Now, when the city comes to mind, all the poet
can think about is this woman, and how sad she
was when he left.
In line one, the poet imprinted his brain with
the citys shows, architecture, customs, and
traditions, meaning that he was trying to take in
the city for all it was. When he said that the
woman he casually met there detaind him, he
means that she had him entranced to stay with
her. In the last line, he describes her physical state
with imagery, emphasizing her sadness.
The poet is very affectionate towards the subject,
which is the woman he met in the city. When he
says, Again she holds me by the hand I must
not go! I see her beside me, with silent lips, sad
and tremulous, it shows that he feels regret and
sorrow for leaving her.
At first, the poem begins by describing the city in
all its different aspects (culture, architecture, etc.),
but shifts in the third line when he mentions a
woman. From there on, the tone of the poem goes
from observant, to loving and desperate.

Connotation: What is the connotative meaning

of the poem? Find examples of imagery,
metaphors, similes, etc. and elaborate on their
connotative meanings.

Attitude: What attitude does the poet have

toward the subject of the poem? Find and list
examples that illustrate the tone and mood of
the poem.
Shift: Is there a shift in the tone/attitude of the
poem? Where is the shift? What does the tone
shift to?

Title: Revisit the title and explain any new

insights it provides to the meaning of the poem.

Now I see the title Once I Passd Through A

Populous City as the poet reflecting back to his
experiences with that woman he had met, and not
the city itself.

Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem?

The overall theme of the poem is a love that poet

had lost/left behind.

3|Page

Give Me the Splendid, Silent Sun

1

Give me the splendid silent sun, with all his beams full-dazzling;
Give me juicy autumnal fruit, ripe and red from the orchard;
Give me a field where the unmowd grass grows;
Give me an arbor, give me the trellisd grape;
Give me fresh corn and wheatgive me serene-moving animals, teaching content;
Give me nights perfectly quiet, as on high plateaus west of the Mississippi, and I looking up
at the stars;
Give me odorous at sunrise a garden of beautiful flowers, where I can walk undisturbd;
Give me for marriage a sweet-breathd woman, of whom I should never tire;
Give me a perfect childgive me, away, aside from the noise of the world, a rural, domestic
life;
Give me to warble spontaneous songs, relievd, recluse by myself, for my own ears only;
Give me solitudegive me Naturegive me again, O Nature, your primal sanities!
These, demanding to have them, (tired with ceaseless excitement, and rackd by the warstrife;)
These to procure, incessantly asking, rising in cries from my heart,
While yet incessantly asking, still I adhere to my city;
Day upon day, and year upon year, O city, walking your streets,
Where you hold me enchaind a certain time, refusing to give me up;
Yet giving to make me glutted, enrichd of soulyou give me forever faces;
(O I see what I sought to escape, confronting, reversing my cries;
I see my own soul trampling down what it askd for.)

10

15

20

Keep your splendid, silent sun;

Keep your woods, O Nature, and the quiet places by the woods;
Keep your fields of clover and timothy, and your corn-fields and orchards;
Keep the blossoming buckwheat fields, where the Ninth-month bees hum;
Give me faces and streets! give me these phantoms incessant and endless along the trottoirs!
Give me interminable eyes! give me women! give me comrades and lovers by the thousand!
Let me see new ones every day! let me hold new ones by the hand every day!
Give me such shows! give me the streets of Manhattan!
Give me Broadway, with the soldiers marchinggive me the sound of the trumpets and
drums!
(The soldiers in companies or regimentssome, starting away, flushd and reckless;
Some, their time up, returning, with thinnd ranksyoung, yet very old, worn, marching,
noticing nothing;)
Give me the shores and the wharves heavy-fringed with the black ships!
O such for me! O an intense life! O full to repletion, and varied!
The life of the theatre, bar-room, huge hotel, for me!
The saloon of the steamer! the crowded excursion for me! the torch-light procession!

25

30

4|Page

The dense brigade, bound for the war, with high piled military wagons following;
People, endless, streaming, with strong voices, passions, pageants;
Manhattan streets, with their powerful throbs, with the beating drums, as now;
The endless and noisy chorus, the rustle and clank of muskets, (even the sight of the
wounded;)
Manhattan crowds, with their turbulent musical choruswith varied chorus, and light of the
sparkling eyes;
Manhattan faces and eyes forever for me.

35

40

5|Page

TPCASTT: Give Me the Splendid, Silent Sun

Title: What predictions can you make from the
title? What are your initial thoughts about the
poem? What might be the theme of the poem?

I predict that the poem will be centered on nature.

The theme of the poem might be the appreciation
towards nature, especially the sunrise.

Paraphrase: Summarize the poem in your own

words

The poem begins with the description of nature,

and the poet constantly begging for all these
peaceful wishes he has. But he says he remains
loyal to his city, Manhattan, and begins to push
away his desire for nature and emphasizes his
want for all things urban.
At the beginning of the poem, Whitman begins by
saying give me repeatedly, regarding aspects
of nature: from the sun to the corn. But in Section
2 of the poem, he begins saying keep your
regarding nature once again. From this, it shows
how he finds nature beautiful, but in his eyes, its
nothing compared to the beauty of Manhattan.
The poet has conflicting point of views in this
poem. At first, he craves the simple beauty of
nature, but through this, he is reminded just how
much he loves Manhattan, and in Section 2,
begins to be resilient towards nature.

Connotation: What is the connotative meaning

of the poem? Find examples of imagery,
metaphors, similes, etc. and elaborate on their
connotative meanings.

Attitude: What attitude does the poet have

toward the subject of the poem? Find and list
examples that illustrate the tone and mood of
the poem.
Shift: Is there a shift in the tone/attitude of the
poem? Where is the shift? What does the tone
shift to?

Title: Revisit the title and explain any new

insights it provides to the meaning of the poem.

Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem?

The shift in the poem occurs on line 14, which

Whitman goes from admiring the aesthetic of
nature to saying that he still is adhered to his city.
From there, the poem describes nature once again,
but in a hostile manner. The poem then goes
describing the city life in-depth on line 24.
Now, the title provides insight to the poem because
it actually goes against his personal views (adoring
the city), much like he did to himself in Section 1 of
the poem.
The overall theme of the poem is the poets
appreciation of beauty in all environments, but his
more intimate connection with the city.

6|Page

City of Orgies
City of orgies, walks and joys!
City whom that I have lived and sung in your midst will one day make you illustrious,
Not the pageants of younot your shifting tableaux, your spectacles, repay me;
Not the interminable rows of your housesnor the ships at the wharves,
Nor the processions in the streets, nor the bright windows, with goods in them;
Nor to converse with learnd persons, or bear my share in the soiree or feast;
Not thosebut, as I pass, O Manhattan! your frequent and swift flash of eyes offering me
love,
Offering response to my ownthese repay me;
Lovers, continual lovers, only repay me.

7|Page

TPCASTT: City of Orgies

Title: What predictions can you make from the
title? What are your initial thoughts about the
poem? What might be the theme of the poem?

From the title, I predict that the poem will be

about the calamity of the city.

Paraphrase: Summarize the poem in your own

words

The poem is about how there are many aspects of

the city. Theres its streets, lights, houses, etc.,
however, none of these are what actually make
the city illustrious. What makes Manhattan
notable, Whitman claims is the inhabitants love
for him, and the love he returns.
Throughout the poem, Whitman repeats what the
Not the multiple times to get his point across
that all these different things that come to
peoples minds when they think of Manhattan
arent the actual reasons for its importance. He
then says, offering me love, offering response
to my own claiming that its about the love
he gives, and the love that is returned back to him
in the city.
The attitude that Whitman harbors with the love
that is passed around the city is rather prideful.
This is shown by him pointing out all of these
evident aspects of the city and pushing them
aside, and only focuses on the love people have
for him in Manhattan.
On line 7, theres a shift from him saying what
will not make the city illustrious, but what will
him and the inhabitants of it.

Connotation: What is the connotative meaning

of the poem? Find examples of imagery,
metaphors, similes, etc. and elaborate on their
connotative meanings.

Attitude: What attitude does the poet have

toward the subject of the poem? Find and list
examples that illustrate the tone and mood of
the poem.
Shift: Is there a shift in the tone/attitude of the
poem? Where is the shift? What does the tone
shift to?

Title: Revisit the title and explain any new

insights it provides to the meaning of the poem.

Now, the title provides insight to the poem because

it introduces that the city is filled with orgies, or
excesses. This poem emphasizes that all the
buildings and everything else is insignificant
without the love of the inhabitants.

Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem?

The overall theme of the poem is, the love that the
inhabitants give and take in a city is what makes it
illustrious.

8|Page

Mannahatta
I was asking for something specific and perfect for my city,
Whereupon, lo! upsprang the aboriginal name!
Now I see what there is in a name, a word, liquid, sane, unruly, musical, self-sufficient;
I see that the word of my city is that word up there,
Because I see that word nested in nests of water-bays, superb, with tall and wonderful spires,
Rich, hemmd thick all around with sailships and steamshipsan island sixteen miles long,
solid-founded,
Numberless crowded streetshigh growths of iron, slender, strong, light, splendidly
uprising toward clear skies;
Tide swift and ample, well-loved by me, toward sundown,
The flowing sea-currents, the little islands, larger adjoining islands, the heights, the villas,
The countless masts, the white shore-steamers, the lighters, the ferry-boats, the black seasteamers well-modeld;
The down-town streets, the jobbers houses of businessthe houses of business of the shipmerchants, and money-brokersthe river-streets;
Immigrants arriving, fifteen or twenty thousand in a week;
The carts hauling goodsthe manly race of drivers of horsesthe brown-faced sailors;
The summer air, the bright sun shining, and the sailing clouds aloft;
The winter snows, the sleigh-bellsthe broken ice in the river, passing along, up or down,
with the flood tide or ebb-tide;
The mechanics of the city, the masters, well-formd, beautiful-faced, looking you straight in
the eyes;
Trottoirs throngdvehiclesBroadwaythe womenthe shops and shows,
The parades, processions, bugles playing, flags flying, drums beating;
A million peoplemanners free and superbopen voiceshospitalitythe most
courageous and friendly young men;
The free city! no slaves! no owners of slaves!
The beautiful city, the city of hurried and sparkling waters! the city of spires and masts!
The city nested in bays! my city!
The city of such women, I am mad to be with them! I will return after death to be with them!
The city of such young men, I swear I cannot live happy, without I often go talk, walk, eat,
drink, sleep, with them!

10

15

20

9|Page

TPCASTT: Mannahatta
Title: What predictions can you make from the
title? What are your initial thoughts about the
poem? What might be the theme of the poem?

From the title, I predict that the poem will be

about Manhattan and Whitmans view on the city.

Paraphrase: Summarize the poem in your own

words

Throughout the entire poem, Whitman describes

what he observes through the city. He seems to be
marveled at every aspect of Manhattan and says
he wouldnt be happy if he wasnt a part of it.

Connotation: What is the connotative meaning

of the poem? Find examples of imagery,
metaphors, similes, etc. and elaborate on their
connotative meanings.

Whitman wrote, I was asking for something

specific and perfect for my cityI see that the
word of my city is that word up there
(Mannahatta). After saying this, Whitman
continues to describe different things he witnesses
in Manhattan. This emphasizes that Whitman
finds the city perfect for him in every aspect.
Whitmans attitude in this poem is very wistful.
With his words, he shows his deep adoration for
Manhattan. By saying, my city! it shows that
Whitman has a pride for the city because he takes
it to be his city.

Attitude: What attitude does the poet have

toward the subject of the poem? Find and list
examples that illustrate the tone and mood of
the poem.
Shift: Is there a shift in the tone/attitude of the
poem? Where is the shift? What does the tone
shift to?

On line 20, the narrator of the poet begins to

exclaim, showing how prideful he is of
Manhattan.

Title: Revisit the title and explain any new

insights it provides to the meaning of the poem.

The title is pretty straight forward. The poem

describes Manhattan and Whitmans perspective
just as I predicted, but it also describes his pride for
the city.

Theme: What is the overall theme of the poem?

The overall theme of the poem is that the aesthetic

of Manhattan is extremely refreshing & exciting.

10 | P a g e

Autobiography

11 | P a g e

Poetry:
I Wish Poem
I wish to be in Manhattan.
I wish that I could admire the buildings that tower above.
I wish I could walk upon the bustling streets, touching shoulders with strangers.
I wish to view the skyline at nighttime, the lights burning my eyes.
I wish to be lost, discovering something new at every turn.
I wish to ride the subways: bumpy, loud, yet wonderful.
I wish that I could meet the millions surrounding me, each with their own stories to tell.
I wish to stroll in Central Park, the single mass of green within the concrete jungle.
I wish I could grasp the cultures that encompass the city.
I wish to wake up to hearing life flowing from below.
I wish to take the city for all it is and nothing less.

Five Liner Poem

The Big Apple
Multi-faceted, Charismatic
Bustling, Entertaining, Evolving
A home for the adventurous at heart
New York City

12 | P a g e

Preposition Poem
During nightfall
Within the city
Amid the buildings
Among the crowd of people
Over the urban landscapes
Beneath the radiating lights
Before I lose this moment, I close my eyes.

Mood Poem
Im ecstatic
Not melancholy
Not jump-out of my seat ecstatic
Not ecstatic like a child on Christmas Day
But ecstatic to be where Ive dreamt
Happy that I have adventure waiting
Happy to be blessed with the people I love
Happy to merely exist

13 | P a g e