On July 4, 1855, Whitman published his "Leaves of Grass" at his own expense. This day is America’s Independence Day. The first edition of "Leaves of Grass" was very thin, less than 100 pages, including an introduction and 12 poems, and there was a copperplate portrait of Whitman at the front of the volume. The little book attracted a chorus of critical acclaim, with more damning articles than the collection of poems itself. The Boston Correspondent called the collection of poems "a hodge-podge of pomposity, arrogance, vulgarity, and boredom" written by a lunatic who "can think of nothing better to do than give him a whipping." The London "Review" newspaper believed that "the author's poems violate the art of traditional poetry. Whitman does not understand art, just like an animal does not understand mathematics." Of the 1,000 copies printed in the first edition, not a single one was sold. For a long time, his contemporaries ignored Whitman's existence, even though he sang for them sincerely.
"Leaves of Grass" is the crystallization of Whitman's life experience. It grows with the growth of the poet and develops with the development of the United States. From the 1st edition to the 9th edition, there are new changes in each edition. It is no exaggeration to say that "Leaves of Grass" is not only an epic of Whitman's self-spiritual development, but also an epic of the development and growth of the American nation.
The overall title of the collection of poems "Leaves of Grass" is an image that is both simple and complex. Grass blades come from the soil and air of the New World and are a symbol of vitality. No matter how harsh the environment, it can take root and grow. Grass blades are also a symbol of development. They grow and reproduce spontaneously without the need for care or cultivation. Blades of grass are also a symbol of democracy. In the eyes of the poet, the blades of grass all over the New World and the movement of the planet are equally important and sacred, just as in social life, there is no distinction between blacks and whites, men and women, presidents and civilians. Therefore, the basic themes of the collection of poems can be roughly summarized as: self, creativity and democracy.
Self is a major theme that is repeatedly highlighted and sung in the collection of poems. In the poem, the self is a towering giant. He is different from the sentimental, fragile and self-pitying self in the European romantic tradition, but a strong and powerful image. Self-health and perfection lies in the harmonious development of mind and body, mind and senses. He breathes the air of reality, is based on the soil of reality, and is a man of action. He does not complain about others, but is independent and self-reliant, taking control of his own destiny, blazing his own path and shouldering his own responsibilities. This self has dual meanings of micro and macro. The micro self is composed of the body and soul of a specific time and space, but Whitman believes that there is also a part of the self that has infinite time and infinite space. Through the micro self, personal life can be integrated into the universal life of nature; through the macro self, the personal spirit can be integrated into the overall culture of mankind. Therefore, the self is immortal, both physically and mentally.
Through contemplation of the self, the poet gained insight into the endless creativity in the universe, and also realized the position of human beings in the universe, which is to constantly join the cycle of natural and universal life with oneself. The poet praises both wild nature and the secondary nature created by human beings: cities, telegraphs, printing presses, submarine cables, wooden houses, axes, books, etc. Everything created by humans is beautiful in the eyes of the poet and is just labor. and creation makes man divine.
In Whitman’s poetry, democracy, freedom, and equality are his basic concepts...Victory and joy are his unchanging beliefs: Human beings will inevitably obtain them...The poet once used such passionate words Keep your eyes on the future: humanity will surely obtain them. Democracy is another theme throughout the collection of poems. The poet's poems are not written to whitewash religion and the current system, nor are they written to attach themselves to the trivial elegance of the upper class. Whitman praises the manual workers such as coachmen, miners, and farmers who are at the bottom of society. It is they who opened up new continents, built cities, and created a new world. The poet is full of confidence in this land developed jointly by immigrants of different colors, races, and backgrounds.
The style of "Leaves of Grass" is just like the new American nation at that time, with rich diversity. Some critics likened its overall effect to a symphony: "It requires the performance of an entire symphony orchestra to reflect the interweaving and reproduction of its themes, from soft strings to noisy brass." To ordinary people The praises are bold and forthright, the eulogies of democratic ideals are high-pitched and powerful, while the explorations of death and the mysteries of the universe are gentle and plaintive, like crying.
Leaves of Grass boldly broke the traditional poetry rhythm in terms of artistic form and created a new form that was later called free verse. The poet believes that the voice of democracy cannot be bound by traditional poetic forms. The long, flowing lines themselves embody the theme of freedom that runs throughout the poem. However, the overall structure of the collection of poems is very rigorous and has rules to follow. Whitman likes to use "catalog poetry" and "parallel sentences". The former is similar to the presentation technique in Chinese Han Fu. Parallel sentences will give people a dizzying feeling, but they will not feel messy. The connected images and ideas hide the context of the theme. All of these give free verse an inherent sense of rhythm.
The free voice and free verse style of "Leaves of Grass" shocked readers at the time and angered academic literati. But American poets in the 20th century enjoyed the freedom of language pioneered by Whitman. It is no exaggeration to say that no American poet in the 20th century can bypass Whitman's existence.