Walt Whitman Jr.: The Bard Of Democracy

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Known as the “Bard of Democracy,” Walt Whitman Jr. has proven himself throughout his lifetime to be known as one of the greatest and most influential poets of the nineteenth century. There are many things Walt Whitman did to capture the eye of the world. He was a nurse, a clerk, a school teacher, a poet, as well as a printer (“Walt Whitman,” poetryfoundation.com). Although most successful as a clerk, Walt is most credited for being a poet and an author. Walt had many credible literary works, such as “O Captain! My Captain!,” and “Song of Myself .” Walt Whitman Jr. accomplished many objectives during his lifetime in the nineteenth century. Being a nineteenth century poet, Walt wrote in two styles of poetry, free verse and the Elizabethan …show more content…

This is when Walt developed his dream of being a poet and writer. In the hopes of pursuing his dreams as a writer, Walt left the law firm and began working at a printing office. During Walt’s time at the printing office he worked as a printer and a delivery boy( Also during this time, Walt began journalism just as a hobby, and occasionally he was allowed to include his articles in the weekly newspaper. Walt loved working at the printing office, until one day in 1835 there was a massive fire destroying many printing offices. When the fire took place, Whitman was devastated that it destroyed the printing offices, because he loved working as a printer. In search for another job, Whitman wanted to also show his love for literature, so he became a teacher. Walt taught in a small one-room schoolhouse in Long Island. However, Walt was not your everyday teacher, he engaged his students. Walt made his students love to learn, by doing projects, skits, and by not using a paddle. Whitman did not want his students to fear him, he only wanted their respect. By doing all these things, he did gain their …show more content…

For this reason, in 1841, Walt abandoned teaching and began journalism as a full time career. Walt began his own newspaper, called the Aurora. It was a Manhattan daily, and it focused on the habits of daily life. He wanted to show people that that there was more to life than just doing the same task over and over again. Walt hired many people to help him run the newspaper, because all Whitman wanted to do was be a journalist. Whitman worked here for five years, until he was fired. When he was fired, he left New York, for New Orleans. This is when Walt experienced slavery for the first time. During his time in New Orleans, He worked at the New Orleans Crescent. It was a young newspaper, but it paid very well. Although the newspaper paid very well, Whitman could no longer bear to stay where there was slavery and discrimination. In only three short months, Whitman had already decided to leave New Orleans, and depart for

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