Content Category
Literary Criticism
Abstract/Description
This paper explores Walt Whitman’s “Children of Adam” and contends that the writer and his work are an embodiment of American masculinity. Within our current culture neither Whitman nor his work would be perceived as masculine, let alone the epitome of it. However, a review of historical information within Whitman’s time period, particularly Dr. Fowler’s book of creative and sexual science, gives a unique view of masculinity and of Whitman. Taking this information into consideration Whitman’s “Children of Adam” takes on new meaning. This paper concludes that a historical reading leads one to realize that Whitman believes himself to be the embodiment of American masculinity and that he seeks to bring his reader to this understanding as well.
Copyright and Licensing of My Content
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 License.
Location
B114 JFSB
Start Date
19-3-2015 11:30 AM
End Date
19-3-2015 1:00 PM
Included in
American Masculinity
B114 JFSB
This paper explores Walt Whitman’s “Children of Adam” and contends that the writer and his work are an embodiment of American masculinity. Within our current culture neither Whitman nor his work would be perceived as masculine, let alone the epitome of it. However, a review of historical information within Whitman’s time period, particularly Dr. Fowler’s book of creative and sexual science, gives a unique view of masculinity and of Whitman. Taking this information into consideration Whitman’s “Children of Adam” takes on new meaning. This paper concludes that a historical reading leads one to realize that Whitman believes himself to be the embodiment of American masculinity and that he seeks to bring his reader to this understanding as well.