Homosexuality In Walt Whitman's Poetry

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Walt Whitman has a plethora of writing techniques that change the reader’s view of controversial topics. Walt Whitman engages with the reader’s by using the topics of homosexuality helping the individual fully develop, contradicting views on African Americans during the time of the Civil War, the idea of “sexual tolerance” and sexual “freedom” in the society, and how human traits can be depicted from an imaginary square relating to religious figures. Whitman uses homosexuality in his poetry to present how sexual experimentation helps individuals develop. The reader should see a person’s sexuality as a development in their life. According to Killingsworth “Complete human beings, especially artists, must transcend themselves during their development …show more content…

Walt Whitman used race in his poetry to show the reader contradicting views racism back in the times of the Civil War. Whitman was known for his open minded views, but when it came to African Americans he views them as inferior to the white people. His poetry is all about equality but his personal views show that he viewed that the African Americans would not be able to handle the white culture and ways of life. Whitman was an author who exceeded people’s stance of racism in his day. Whitman glorified the variety of races and he believed that they deserved to be treated like the white people. All people were created equal. Which means they should be treated as equals. Whitman did live in a time that was full of racism, which means that he had some contradictory views and thoughts on racism. He had the typical views that a racist would have for example Whitman said that African Americans are “servile” (Hutchinson). Believing that African’s are just good for serving others is not saying that they should be treated as equals. In the poem “The Sleepers” it states “ I reckon I am their boss, and they make me a pet besides” (Whitman 106). The line from the poetry is stating how Whitman is saying that he is more than the workers which was mostly slaves during the 1850s. The 1850s was a time of slavery and racism in the nation.Walt Whitman is just contradicting himself with his work and …show more content…

The reader should see sex as more than just an action. Sex represents so much more than just being an act. The reader is being asked to explore sex in a more liberal and accepting way. Being more open minded about sex, helps people learn and experience more in their life. Also having an open mind about sex can help people find out who they truly are. By discussing open minded sex this helps the reader explore their own sexual orientation and helps them to develop a more accepting view of others and their sexual preference. By using sex in his poetry Whitman is showing how sex should be seen as a “freedom” and Whitman wants sexual “tolerance” for everyone (Allen and Jeffares). Supporting “sexual freedom” and sexual “tolerance” shows how Whitman’s poetry is saying that people should be able to love whoever they want. People should also be allowed to be with whoever they want and not have to worry about being judged for their decision. Walt Whitman did not base who he had sex with off the gender of the person. He based his sexual orientation on what he felt inside. Whitman was known for being a bisexual man, which helps his argument of wanting a more liberal and accepting society when it comes to sex. Whitman is giving the reader a chance to explore a variety of sex through his poetry. In the poem, “I Sing The Body Electric” Whitman states “The expression of the body of man or

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