Walt Whitman Transcendentalism

Life after Death, Acknowledgment after Death

It’s odd to think that two of America’s most renowned poets of the 1800’s had never received the recognition they deserved till long after their deaths. This could have been due to their distinctive writing styles, rebellious to the 19th century transition between the literary concepts of Gothic Romanticism and Naturalism or Realism. The rhythm schemes, word play, and imagery of both these authors, was unlike any poetical works that readers of the day had been exposed to, hence making their writings later, by critics of this day-and-age, considered creatively distinguishing from their fellow poets of the time. But perhaps, most notable of all, the lack of appreciation they should have earned
Whitmans’s poetical deviation from his time’s popular styles, his writings shed light on Transcendentalism, a literary style emphasizing spiritual philosophy accepting instinctual, personal intuition rather than society’s preexisting understanding of reality. He applied this reasoning to his belief of the necessary relationship a poet must hold with the very concept of society as a living entity. His works would address larger aspects of life, then dissect them into each key component that contributed to the original, more general topic, and finally he would explore in depth the many possible ways of describing the experience of the entire process. In his poem, “Trickle Drops,” he depicts fleeting, trickling drops of blood, illustrating every aspect of their cause, purpose, departure, journey, and
The concept of Death is definitely a recurring motif in the poetry of Dickinson and Whitman. Though they choose to depict it and explore its meaning in different ways, the initial intrigue in the topic is unquestionably shared. In many of their works, ideas and thoughts of life after death are proposed and examined. Emily Dickinson takes a more personal approach by depicting herself as holding an actual relationship with Death. In many of her portrayals, Death is considered a courtly lover, proposing to Dickinson a choice, a chance, and an end. Whitman gives death an embodiment of a both destructive as well as peaceful resolution to conclude one’s life