Where+in+the+World+is+Whitman+Today?



Whitman's impact on today's world can be seen in both modern literature and modern culture. Whitman's belief in making the most of one's life is widely present today. For example, Lee Ann Womack's song "I Hope You Dance" encourages people to take advantage of every moment instead of just watching life pass by and being too afraid to take risks. This idea very much represents Whitman's because his work encouraged his audience to embrace life to the fullest. Also, the song demonstrates humility and modesty in each person when the singer says "I hope you still feel small, when you stand beside an ocean". This can also connect to Whitman because in most of his poems he consistently has the speaker connecting to nature. Overall, the speaker hopes that the person she is talking to takes chances and do what she loves most, dance. This relates to Whitman's ideas because he valued the individual's search for themselves, just as he did in //Song of Myself//. [|Here] is a link to the lyrics of "I Hope You Dance":

Staying on the topic of Whitman's influence in music, the band, Rilo Kiley, also draws on Whitman's ideas of the unity of all individuals in the formation of a whole, mankind. These ideas are especially prominent in this following quote from the band's hit single, "More Adventurous" (Listen to it [|Here]): "We are all as numerous as leaves on trees, and maybe our’s is the cause of all mankind." The song's lyrics are very much in tune with Whitman's ideas, further proving his prevailing influence in our society today. They also connect the Transcendental idea of man's connection with nature. These lyrics use symbolism to portray this connection, which is very similar to Whitman's way of incorporating nature into his work. They describe the value of the individual that Whitman wrote about because even though human beings are innumerable, each man is unique and every person contributes equally to make up mankind as a whole. The song goes on to say "If marriage ain't enough, well at least we'll be loved," proving that love extends beyond society's limitations and human beings can love each other without the church declaring they do. Just like Whitman believed, this song demonstrates that brotherly love is at the heart of mankind's unity.

Another song that relates to Whitman's writing is "Soul Meets Body" by Death Cab for Cutie. It talks about living peacefully and discovery of one's self as well as the unison of man's spirit and skin, which is also discussed in section five. Both works depict a search for inner unity between these two entities to allow man to become one with nature. This song's lyrics describe the speaker embracing nature and asking the sun to "wrap its arms around me," paralleling Whitman's love for nature. The music video logically takes place in a natural setting and can be found [|Here]

As well as "Soul Meets Body", there is a song actually entitled "Walt Whitman" by a band called My Robot Friend. This song has included Walt Whitman into our modern society as it is an electronic and semi-techno song, which is more of a modern genre of music. The song alludes to his ideas about life and nature when they say "What rivers are these/ What forests and fruits are these" (My Robot Friend). They also make reference to his life and possible homosexuality even though they do so in an inappropriate way. Nevertheless, the modern group is educated about Walt Whitman enough to understand his writing and life with enough appreciation to write a song about him. The lyrics to "Walt Whitman" can be found [|Here]

The song, "Nature" by the Samples demonstrates Whitman's ideas of nature. It mentions that nature teaches people much more than books can. The song says "It takes me from a book/ from pictures I can't feel/ but outside when I look/ nature's something real". Whitman also shows great appreciation for nature in his writings, and the lyrics in the song say "nature is so astounding". The lyrics also show a sense of interconnectedness through nature when they say "Look at you and me/ nature can be found". One person created a video for this song, showing multiple shots of natural settings: And [|Here] it is. The lyrics for "Nature" can be found [|Here]

The song "I'm One" by the rock group, The Who, discusses concepts of individuality and non-conformity, similar to the transcendental beliefs of Whitman. The speaker shows his dislike for being the same as everyone else and shows his love and pride for being an individual when he says, "But I can't get that even tanned look on my face. ill fitting clothes, and I blend in the crowd. Fingers so clumsy, voice too loud. But I'm one." The lyrics can be found at [|This Site] .Whitman shared these same feelings of dislike for conformity and pride in himself as "one", and displayed them in his poetry.

The song “Imagine”, by John Lennon, encourages the idea of “no Heaven” and “no religion too.” He promoted peace and cooperation between everyone, and the thought of no religion as a controlling force unites everyone no matter what religious background because it eliminates the differences in each religion. However, Lennon, unlike Whitman, generalized religion as the belief in God. God is not religion, a separate higher entity. Whitman's ideas of unity though are represented in the song through Lennon's attempt to bring peace and unification to the world through the elimination of religion.

Listen to "Imagine" --> media type="file" key="John Lennon - Imagine.mp3"

The idea of breaking away from a corrupt society is present in many authors after Whitman, such Mark Twain in his novel //Adventures of Huckleberry Finn//. He depicts society as a negative influence and through Huck’s dismissal at the end of the novel, he explains that society is only hurtful. The idea of equality is shown through Huck’s disregard of society’s idea of slaves and tries to protect Jim. They formed a brotherhood where Huck noticed that he “was the best friend old Jim ever had in the world” (1384). Through this bond they are able to free themselves from society’s oppression. Nature's goodness is also shown as Huck went to the river bank when “it got sort of lonesome…and listened to the currents washing along” (1267). Also, Whitman is constantly referred to in modern society in the movie //The Notebook//, where his poetry is read aloud to mirror the characters feelings, or to develop the character. The significance of the character Noah enjoying Whitman's work is his willingness to live life to the fullest, no matter what obstacles he may come across, and his acceptance of death. Just as he introduces Allie to Whitman's writing, he also introduces her to Whitman's idea of how life should be lived. Whitman’s ideas and unique writing style allow the reader to more fully understand the transcendental ideas that he is trying to portray.

The transcendental ideas that Whitman expressed in his writing greatly affect the way people think today. People are genuinely concerned with maintaining their individuality, and are becoming more interested in the preservation of nature. America is trying to spread the concept of equality throughout the world, and more people are understanding the fact that they must take action to uphold it. Many people have become aware that society is corrupt, and there are those making an effort to correct it. Whitman's ideas influence modern people's actions, prompting them to spread equality.

One way Whitman’s ideas are still present today is in the DOVE Real Beauty Campaign. It promotes healthy self-esteem for young girls, teens, and grown women in their self-image. It teaches the dangers of following media’s views on beauty and perfection and that girls need to accept their own type of beauty and reject the elusive view of beauty from the media. In the same way, Walt Whitman tried to teach people that traditional authorities are not always right, and that people need to think for themselves and not follow everything society tells them. View the ads [|Here]

The power of Walt Whitman’s name is utilized many times by commercials and shows that reference him. The media references many of his trademarks such as his originality, his poetic descriptions of life after death, and his openness to sexuality. This article called “Twentieth-century Mass Appearances” discusses the image of Walt Whitman throughout the 1900s. Although his image has developed and deviated over the years, it does not stray too far from the perception he cemented for himself in //Song of Myself.// http://digitalcommons.unl.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1112&amp;context=libraryscience

Furthermore Whitman's ideas are found in present-day literary authors' works such as Jean Craighead George. George has written numerous books, and her collection includes those that all involve the idea of embracing nature. Books such as //Julie of the Wolves//, which follows a young girl as she tries to break free from a set-up marriage (society's control on an individual) by running away into the wild where she has to use her knowledge of nature in order to survive. He has also written //My Side of the Mountain//. This is a book about a boy whose plane crashes in the wilderness and he has to survive on his own. When he is rescued and returned to society, he finds that it is corrupt, and that Nature is a much better place to be. Both of these books coincide with Whitman's ideas of society being corrupt and controlling the individual.

Films are another outlet in which Whitman's ideas are used such as the film //The Bucket List// in which two old men, who have terminal cancer, live out the last days of their lives together. Instead of simply sitting in their death bed, they accept the fact that they are going to die and begin completing a list of things they want to do, completely ignoring death. Filming is not the only thing that Whitman's ideas have effected regarding the media, however. References of //O Captain, My Captain,// appear in hit TV series such as "Family Guy." Although comical, this demonstrates that even today with younger generations, Whitman's views have not died.

In the movie //Glory Road//, which is based on the true story of the legendary basketball coach Don Haskins of Texas Western University (now known as the University of Texas El Paso), Coach Haskins breaks free from many racist, common perspectives. In 1966, he recruited seven African-Americans who were not wanted by any other colleges. With these young men, he goes through an unforgettable season. During regular season games, he and his players were taunted and even threatened, but they continued to win. They even made it to the NCAA National Basketball Championship. In this game, Coach Haskins decides to do something which no other Division I school has ever done: start five African-American players. His players ended up winning the national championship against the University of Kentucky. Known as one of the greatest upsets in all of sports history, this game was one of the most important ever played, because broke the common stereotype that African-Americans could not play basketball. Because Coach Haskins trusted in his own beliefs and not the negative beliefs of society, he ended up not only changing the game of basketball but changing life as we know it. By standing up for something he believed in, he did something great.

A growing trend among funeral services is the focus on the deceased's life instead of his death, making the event a celebration rather than a cause for mourning. Instead of grieving at their loss, the guests remember their loved one's achievements and rejoice about the happiness this person filled them with. Celebrating life is very much in tune with Whitman's ideas because he described death as not something to be feared, but as the next step in a man's journey. According to Whitman, life should only be celebrated and enjoyed because a dead man's soul lives on forever. Nothing can be done to prevent death, so people look back on their loved ones' lives happily, remembering the good times they experienced in life and recognizing that more come with their passing.

Whitman's ideas are also present in literary works, including many of Langston Hughes's poems. In "Democracy", Hughes conveys the importance of freedom and equality for every individual. In "The Negro Speaks of Rivers", he states that his "soul has grown deep like the rivers" (10), which exhibits his belief of nature as a source of goodness, and that nature is present among all human beings. Another literary work that connects to Whitman's life is //Carry On, Mr. Bowditch//, by Jean Lee Latham. In this novel, Nathaniel also must leave formal education at an early age, but like Whitman, he continues to learn by reading every book he can find. Whitman taught that the classroom is not the only place where knowledge can be gained; anyone with a passion to learn can educate himself. He inspired future generations to pursue knowledge beyond their school education.

Additionally, Whitman's ideas are present in our democratic system, which includes the concepts of equality. By encouraging and allowing all citizens to vote, America shows that it accepts the opinions of its people, despite the individual's race or gender. Whitman incoporated this idea of equality in his poem, by equalizing men and women by firmly stating in section 21, "And I say it is as great to be a woman as to be a man" (420). Even though highlighting woman during his time period was quite unusual, Whitman expressed his personal opinion with confidence while breaking away from typical tradtions. Similarly, in current political affairs, the idea of rejecting traditional authority is present. Hillary Clinton, a forerunner in the current election campaigns is trying to lead United States into a different governmental tradition. In the past there has not been a woman in presidency and if Clinton becomes the next president, she would display the concept of breaking away from traditional ideas. Furthermore, Whitman influenced other authors, such as J.D. Salinger. The main character, Holden, from Salinger's //Catcher in the Rye//, undergoes several experiences in which he values his individuality, while rejecting the tradtions of the society; two key features that Whitman incorporates into his work.

Whitman's ideas are also present in a movie called //The Bridge to Terabithia//. In this film Whitman's ideas of equality and individuality are present. In this movie a young girl is different from others, and many in her classroom call her mean names and mistreat her. She meets a boy who takes the time to know her, and when he does, she changes his life by making him friendlier and happier. She is proof that being different should be valued since she introduced happiness and imagination into a lonely and unhappy boy. She taught this boy how to live and have fun in her own way, and she changed this boy because of that. She influenced him so greatly and even though she dies, her legacy lives through this boy, she teaches him to go against rules and to just have fun.This movie communicates a message of acceptance toward all and encourages the younger generation to live like this young girl did and to not be afraid to be different.

Additionally, Whitman's ideas can be seen in the film //Dead Poets Society// as the teacher shares a words with his students. Once showing them pictures of boys that looked exactly like them he continues on to say, “Because, you see gentlemen, these boys are now fertilizing daffodils. But if you listen real close, you can hear them whisper their legacy to you. Go on, lean in. Listen, you hear it? - - Carpe - - hear it? - - Carpe, carpe diem, seize the day boys, make your lives extraordinary.” And that is exactly what people today seem to do. They want to live fulfilling lives by helping others, being famous, or perhaps doing something that would impact those around them in some way so that they are remembered. Later on in the movie the teacher writes on the board "I sound my barbaric yawp over the rooftops of the world." a line from Section 52 of //Song of Myself//. He uses this as a way to encourage his students to break free from the fears and restraints that society creates and to understand themselves. [|The video is here!]

More contemporary songs in society, like the “Circle of Life” from the //Lion King//, demonstrate the idea of the cycle of life. Transcendental healing also reflects Whitman’s belief of the connection of the over-soul. In this type of healing, “every particle of every bit of matter is constantly vibrating” and “the practitioner shall never influence, manipulate or invade in any other form into this process” to restore one’s own individuality. Finally, Whitman’s beliefs could be seen everyday with social beliefs, especially equality. Whitman’s belief that women and men are equal is not completely satisfied, considering it is not in the United States Constitution, but there have been drastic changes in equality since the 19th century; including job opportunities, voting rights, and feminist groups that are working towards getting equal rights for women in all countries. In a political sense, Whitman has even influenced the idea of universal health-care, which is supported by current democratic presidential candidate, Hilary Clinton. Universal health-care supports the idea that everyone is equal and deserves the same treatment as another. [|Here] is a link to the video for "The Circle of Life" from //The Lion King//.

Here is one possible 'reincarnation' of Whitman:

Even though Whitman's works is seen above to reverberate amongst movies and such, it is also seen in other types of art today. Whitman showed a people who were previously known to be under God, and belief in a Calvinist movement that people have no future but to die under God, to be original and be themselves with Nature and with God not under him. This movement had started Whitman to show freedom not normally seen before. Whitman had almost made himself a style of poetry, and by breaking this boundary of being free as a poet, with no rhyme scheme to diminish his true thoughts, Whitman had led to the broadening of the poetry scale. The free-verse poem, the structured poem (where the words in a type of structure to show more meaning as a picture), the name poem (each letter of a name makes a word), and so on, had been available after Whitman had broken previous beliefs on how poetry was supposed to be made, and how it should make an impact on the people. Not only in poetry, but in music, was Whitman's impact on society seen. Even though its barely seen today, jazz was a type of music that emphasized personal freedom and rhythm unlike the super structured classical era had. The jazz movement was based on personal and individual thought put into music to bring out a type of song that was never heard before. Just as Whitman broke away from religious ideals, jazz broke away from the structured ways of classical music. Even though most of the instruments from classical time was used in modern jazz such as the trumpet, clarinet, trombone, and percussion, it brought out new instruments previously declined amongst the classical era such as the saxophones. This movement, just as Whitman's poetry had caused the outburst of individual creativity seen above, had created a movement of music unlike any, spurring genres of music from r&amp;b to rock to even death metal, all of which would not be possible without the popularity jazz had. Just as Whitman brought a movement of individualism and creativity in everyone, jazz had done the same thing and created a movement equal to what Whitman done.

In his hometown of West Hills, Long Island, there exists the Walt Whitman High School. His ideas, as well as those of the many other Transcendentalists, are seen the movie //I Heart Huckabees//. The main character, after running into the same person three times, hires a two private detectives to investigate all aspects of his life and find "the big picture" for him. In the main characters environmental group, he is paired with someone who is also trying to figure out whether there exists a "universal interconnectivity" in life, or there is just nothingness. These ideas compare perfectly to the Transcendental concept of the Over-Soul and the connective aspect the Transcendentalists believe all humanity shares. [|Here is a link] to a review of the movie, and somewhat of an outline,

Whitman's ideas are seen in the media, such as in the movie, //Mean Girls.// In the movie, the main character, Cady, does not find her true self and see the truth until she separates from society, or her clique, and begins to stop focusing on others' criticisms. She realizes that the best way to recognize the truth is through reflection within herself and ignoring the insults of others, exemplifying Whitman's idea that truth can be found when sought for. It also demonstrates his encouragement to people to be individuals and to stand up for what they believe in.

Whitman has also greatly contributed the world of literature as a visionary as man who found a new way to express one’s thoughts and ideals and broke the language boundaries on poetry with his vision so that those after him can freely form their thoughts. Free verse freed the average poet from petty rhymes and opened him or her up to more vocabulary to better describe feelings, imagery, and theme. Not only that, Whitman presented the value of one’s individual thought and the benefit of individuals banding together for a common goal. In a sense, Whitman was a supporter of Democracy and it is Democracy that runs the great country known as America. As one of the earliest writers to focus on equality, Whitman also paved the way for more civil rights activists to stand up for brotherhood and be united as one. He is what many can only wish to be, a true representative for the people and a true American writer.

Walt Whitman's words of non conformity and individual value are echoed in almost every revolution of thought, style, and behavior. The 60's were an era where it was stressed to be "hip" To be hip was to be aware, and being aware allowed an individual to formulate their own opinions on the events that took place around them. Thus revolution began as these aware minds preached the importance of being aware. Revolutions in countries everywhere are base don the fact of breaking away and standing up for your own belief. When have you heard of a revolution where the people wish to drop what they are so passionate about and conform to the desire of a tyrant? Leaders such as Martin Luther King would stress the importance of being a unified body of one, no matter what your skin pigment may be. All people are equal. These thoughts stem from the transcendental concept of over-soul where Whitman spoke of how each and every one in the world was a part of him and their positive actions and negative actions were his as well. On another note, think of the phrase "just be yourself". This simple phrase which is always used for dates, business meetings, and introductions is Walt Whitman's words of the importance of expressing your individuality and accepting the fact that not everyone will understand you. The importance is to be yourself though as it is believed by Whitman and now the world that to act as a copy of others destroys the reason for diversity in this world.

Twain, Mark. //Adventures of Huckleberry Finn//. //The Norton Anthology of American Literature.// Ed. Nina Baym. Shorter 6th ed. New York: Norton, 2003. 1244-1432.

Walt Whitman's influence from Section 4 was also included in a modern day song called, "Who We Are", by Hope Partlow. media type="youtube" key="3zIxNDLeqvg&rel=1" height="355" width="425" Within this song, Partlow talks about the idea that one should create their own beliefs and be their own individual rather than conforming to what media and others say to be.

It is apparent that Whitman's role today is quite important and his writings over a century again forever changed world. It is up to the reader, though, to apply his or her own ideas to their own lives, and discover new ways to continue the legacy of Walter Whitman.