Because Walt Whitman's first collection of poems, "Leaves of Grass", was very advanced at the time. Not only did it not have a specific rhythm or rhyme in form, the sentences were also very long and free-spirited. . As a result, some critics considered his work crude, offensive, and morally corrupt. They were surprised by the radical form and subject matter of Whitman's poetry, especially its explicit descriptions of sex.
There are also some people, including Emerson, who appreciate the individualistic spirit embodied in Whitman's poems. Later, Whitman's poems were gradually recognized by the literary world. After the fifth edition of "Leaves of Grass" was published, many well-known British and American writers visited Whitman's residence. Today Whitman's "Leaves of Grass" is considered the most valuable and influential collection of poems in American literature.
As one of America's most influential poets, Whitman aimed to transcend traditional epic poetry and eschew conventional aesthetic forms to reflect the underlying freedom that existed in America. In 1855, he self-published "Leaves of Grass," which is now a landmark in American literary history, although at the time of its publication, it was considered highly controversial. Whitman later served as a volunteer nurse during the American Civil War and wrote "The Drum" about the experiences of war-torn soldiers. Whitman died in Camden, New Jersey on March 26, 1892. He continued to create a new version of "Leaves of Grass" and its original work.
People have summarized two points in their evaluation of Whitman: freedom and democracy. It is precisely because of these two points that as early as the nineteenth century in the United States, he was called the "Father of Poetry" ". Whitman pursued and called for freedom.