Walter Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist and journalist. A humanist, he was a part of the transition between transcendentalism and realism, incorporating both views in his works. Whitman is among the most influential poets in the American canon, often called the father of free verse. His work was controversial in its time, particularly his 1855 poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described as obscene for its overt sensuality. Whitman's own life came under scrutiny for his presumed homosexuality.
Born in Huntington on Long Island, as a child and through much of his career he resided in Brooklyn. At age 11, he left formal schooling to go to work. Later, Whitman worked as a journalist, a teacher, and a government clerk. Whitman's major poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, was first published in 1855 with his own money and became well known. The work was an attempt at reaching out to the common person with an American epic. He continued expanding and revising it until his death in 1892. During the American Civil War, he went to Washington, D.C. and worked in hospitals caring for the wounded. His poetry often focused on both loss and healing. On the death of Abraham Lincoln, whom Whitman greatly admired, he wrote his well known poems, "O Captain! My Captain!" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", and gave a series of lectures. After a stroke towards the end of his life, Whitman moved to Camden, New Jersey, where his health further declined. When he died at age 72, his funeral was a public event.Whitman's influence on poetry remains strong. Mary Whitall Smith Costelloe argued: "You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without Leaves of Grass ... He has expressed that civilization, 'up to date,' as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him." Modernist poet Ezra Pound called Whitman "America's poet ... He is America."
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Some of their strengths
Walt Whitman has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Adventurous, Charming, Intelligent, Passionate, Optimistic, Extroverted, and Brave.
Charming and Quick-witted
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Walt Whitman is someone who is a charming, quick-witted, and energetic person who combines passion and intelligence with an ability to feel what others are feeling and to effectively communicate with them. A person who is known for being a good communicator.
Helpful and Supportive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Walt Whitman well know them as someone who can be accepting, supportive, and productive, like a garden.
Truthful and Kind
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Walt Whitman as someone who is honest, compassionate, imaginative, and instinctual.
A person who enjoys new challlenges, is a magnet for attracting other creative types, good at identifying opportunities, and who is good at forming loyal, lifelong friendships.
Stable and Creative
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Walt Whitman is someone who thrives in volatile situations, and who tends to be a source of stability and comfort for others who are experiencing challenging times .
They are also someone who is confident and creative, and who has a love for starting new projects, inventing new things, and giving back to the community.
Logical and Reasonable
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Walt Whitman tends to be someone who is understanding, logical, and reasonable. Who can be intellectual and intuitive, speak the truth at any cost, be witty and sociable, and live life to its fullest.
Some of Walt Whitman's challenges
While Walt Whitman has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Walt Whitman can be Hypocritical, Self-centered, Arrogant, Status-seeking, Short-tempered, Impulsive, and Unrealistic.
Hypocritical and Self-centered
One of Walt Whitman's key challenges is that they are someone who can be perceived as hypocritical and self-centered.
Walt Whitman must also exercise caution as they can have a hard time reconciling wants and needs.
Unrealistic and Indecisive
Walt Whitman is someone who can be unrealistic, indecisive, and lacking in confidence, who can be impulsive when it comes to making important decisions, have difficulty collaborating with others, can be argumentative and not willling to accept criticism, and who can be disappointed by the high expectations they place on others.
Indecisive and Distracted
Finally, Walt Whitman also can have a hard time staying focused and can easily become restless.
