Leaves of grass [WorldCat Entities]

"Leaves of grass"

author

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http://worldcat.org/entity/person/id/2705058832

contributor

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creator

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http://worldcat.org/entity/person/id/2705058832

description

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""Leaves of Grass is a poetry collection by the American poet Walt Whitman (1819-1892). Though the first edition was published in 1855, Whitman spent his entire life writing and re-writing Leaves of Grass, revising it in several editions until his death. This resulted in vastly different editions over four decades--the first a small book of twelve poems and the last a compilation of over 400 poems. The poems of Leaves of Grass are loosely connected and each represents Whitman's celebration of his philosophy of life and humanity. This book is notable for its discussion of delight in sensual pleasures during a time when such candid displays were considered immoral. Where much previous poetry, especially English, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, Leaves of Grass (particularly the first edition) exalted the body and the material world. Influenced by Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalist movement, itself an offshoot of Romanticism, Whitman's poetry praises nature and the individual human's role in it. However, much like Emerson, Whitman does not diminish the role of the mind or the spirit; rather, he elevates the human form and the human mind, deeming both worthy of poetic praise."--publisher's description."
"Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855, began as Walt Whitman's collection of twelve unnamed poems, unique for their irregular line lengths and lack of rhyme. Whitman spent the remainder of his life re-writing the work, and republished the collection several times until it finally numbered over 400 poems. Leaves of Grass represents Whitman's views on life and philosophy, and love, and features some of his best known and loved poems including "O Captain! My Captain!," a tribute to Abraham Lincoln, and "Song of Myself." Although Leaves of Grass was criticized for being obscene at the time of its publication, Whitman refused to censor his work, and his poetry is considered among the greats for its underlying beauty."@en
"ENDURING LITERATURE ILLUMINATED BY PRACTICAL SCHOLARSHIP A collection of quintessentially American poems, the seminal work of one of the most influential writers of the nineteenth century. THIS ENRICHED CLASSIC EDITION INCLUDES: -A concise introduction that gives readers important background information -A chronology of the author's life and work -A timeline of significant events that provides the book's historical context -An outline of key themes and plot points to help readers form their own interpretations -Detailed explanatory notes -Critical analysis, including contemporary and modern perspectives on the work -Discussion questions to promote lively classroom and book group interaction -A list of recommended related books and films to broaden the reader's experience Enriched Classics offer readers affordable editions of great works of literature enhanced by helpful notes and insightful commentary. The scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate, understand, and enjoy the world s finest books to their full potential. SERIES EDITED BY CYNTHIA BRANTLEY JOHNSON."@en