I have found that i like the elder Walt Whitman far better than the young. Perhaps its the darkness of death that appeals to me. Leaves of Grass really wasn’t my cup of coffee, Whitman was very monotonous with his young age. His life experiences are far more interesting than some of his writings. The writings were reading now that are Whitman accepting death i find very authentic.
I think Whitman is using these to sum up what his life was incase we over looked his previous works. In the Preface Note to 2nd Annex Whitman explains “here comes this little cluster, and conclusion of my preceeding clusters” (p637). He goes onto explain how his body and mind are both starting to deteriate. We all can agree that the gloomyness in these writings are unlike the persona that Whitman carrys with him. In a comical acknowedgement of this Whitman himself tells the reader “Reader, you must allow a little fun here-for one reason there are too many of the following poemets about death and for another the passing hours are so sunny-fine” (638).
With the semester coming to an end i’d have to say my initial dislike in Whitman’s writing has been elevated to an admiration in the guy. Despite ones likes or dislikes in works, no one can argue Whitman lived an uneventful life. The hightech side to this class is an experience in itself and i cant wait to begin filming for my final project. I feel i know Whitman pretty well and ideas run through my head all day.