Walta Whitmana miłość do życia
Walt Whitman’s Love for Life

Author(s): Dagmara Wiercińska
Subject(s): Language and Literature Studies, Studies of Literature, Theory of Literature
Published by: Wydawnictwo Uniwersytetu Śląskiego
Keywords: Walt Whitman; American poetry; love; nature; body
Summary/Abstract: The poetry of great Walt Whitman is imbued with love – unconditional, possessiveand overwhelming – love for life. Admiration for life in its all, even the modest, forms and aspects is a dominant motif in Whitman’s poems. A way of perceiving nature, man and the Absolute in Whitman’s poetry depends on seeing all these as an integral, mutually connected, unity. Nature helps man to liberate himself, to be who he really is as which is hidden behind it. Unlike his predecessors and other poets of his time, Whitman appreciates the body on a par with the soul, emphasizing their unity, which leads to man’s self‑realization.Whitman sees the importance of focusing on the present, concentrating on a particular moment of life in order to achieve the ultimate awareness of living here and now. Whitman’s poetry is a paean in praise of life. It is pure love expressed with tenderness, delicacy, as well as courage, bravery even – in a revolutionary way. And thanks to this love for life – expressed directly, shamelessly or delicately and subtly, but always passionately – Whitman’s poetry is still so impressive, fresh and beautiful, so attractive and inspiring for a contemporary reader.’

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