First known for his controversial book of poetry, Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman was thought to be vulgar and immoral. Whitman was unorthodox in form as well as content. In his poetry, the line was a rhythmical unit and meter was disregarded, but most of his poems achieved a musical effect. His major themes included the sacredness of the self, the beauty of death, the quality of all people, the love of comrades, and the immortality of the soul. Some of his popular works included Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, Song to Myself and Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking. Whitman continued to live productively even after a paralytic stroke. He lectured in the East, visited Colorado and Canada, and developed disciples who went on to achieve their own prominence. He died a legend in 1892. This program explores his life and major works.
