The Democratic Value of Whitmans Leaves of Grass Essay

Early reviews of Walt Whitmans Leaves of Grass evince an incipient awareness of the unifying and acutely democratic aspects of the poetry. An article in the November 13th, 1856, issue of the New York Daily Times describes the modest, self-published book of twelve seemingly formless poems: As we read it again and again, and we will confess that we have returned to it often, a singular order seems to arise out of its chaotic verses (2). The Daily Timess identification of order out of chaos in Leaves of Grass parallels Americas theoretical declaration of e pluribus unum, one out of many—a uniquely democratic objective. Also manifesting the early perception of the democratic poetic in Leaves of Grass, yet focusing more on Whitman and†¦show more content†¦Remini notes, the Founding Fathers had agreed that a just government was based on the consent of the governed, but that did not necessarily translate into democratic rule (24). This republican mode of government safeguard ed unity among Americans because it advocated a trace of aristocratic regulation, insuring that the elite serve as a filter for political decisions and thus for maintaining order. Jackson, however, endorsed extreme democratic rule—governance by the people, by Americas very citizens. Jacksons view of the American system of government, Remini continues, was completely different from the Founding Fathers, and far more democratic. First of all, he maintained that the people always remain active in the governing process. The people can never be excluded; they did not surrender their right of self-government when they adopted the Constitution. They exercise it regularly through the ballot box, which all agencies of government (including the Supreme Court) must obey. (25) With valid reasoning, government officials feared the social and political manifestation of Jacksons radically democratic theories. Remini, interpreting the argument of those who found problems in Jacksons agenda, states that without a rule of law interpreted by a high court, the majority will tyrannize the minority (26). Jackson, though, trusted in the deep-seated integrityShow MoreRelatedAnalysis Of Walt Whitmans Leaves Of Grass And Song For Myself1068 Words   |  5 PagesMichelle C. Sipalay Professor Lesley Ginsburg ENGL3350 20 November 2017 Song for Myself, Sung for Others Notable American author Walt Whitman, with his piece Leaves of Grass/Song for Myself, was and continues to be a source of critique. Leaves of Grass was received as a riveting, revolutionary piece that overstepped many spiritual boundaries during the timeframe in which the composition was published. 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