A collection of quintessentially American poems, the seminal work of
one of the most influential writers of the nineteenth century.
Leaves of Grass is a collection of poems, the most famous of which is
Song of Myself; however there are many others in the collection that
display his poetic ability equally well, such as I Sing the Body
Electric, Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking, and his homage to the
assassinated Abraham Lincoln, O Captain! My Captain!
The collection is notable for its delight in, and praise of, the senses.
Where much previous poetry, especially English, relied on symbolism,
allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, Leaves of
Grass exalted the body and the material world. Influenced by the
Transcendentalist movement, itself an offshoot of (especially German)
Romanticism, Whitman's poetry praises Nature and the individual human's
role therein. However, 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.
This 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
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scholarship provided in Enriched Classics enables readers to appreciate,
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