Leaves of Grass
Walt Whitman
American poet Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, is a collection of poems notable for its frank delight in and praise of the senses, during a time when such candid displays were considered immoral. Where much previous poetry, especially English, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, Leaves of Grass exalted the body and the material world.
Whitman was inspired to begin Leaves of Grass after reading an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson which expressed a need for a uniquely American poet. When the book was first published, Whitman sent a copy to Emerson, whose praiseful letter of response helped launch the book to success. Whitman’s hero, Abraham Lincoln, read and enjoyed an early version of Leaves of Grass. Despite such high recommendations, Whitman faced charges of obscenity and immorality for his work, but this only led to increased popularity of the book.
Whitman continually revised and republished Leaves of Grass throughout his lifetime, notably adding the “Drum-Taps” section after Lincoln’s assassination. The book grew from 12 poems in its first publication, which Whitman paid for and typeset himself, to nearly 400 poems in its final, “Death Bed Edition.” This recording is of the final edition. (Summary adapted from wikipedia.org by Annie Coleman)
Author - Walt Whitman.
Narrator - LibriVox Community.
Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Location:
United States
Description:
American poet Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass, is a collection of poems notable for its frank delight in and praise of the senses, during a time when such candid displays were considered immoral. Where much previous poetry, especially English, relied on symbolism, allegory, and meditation on the religious and spiritual, Leaves of Grass exalted the body and the material world. Whitman was inspired to begin Leaves of Grass after reading an essay by Ralph Waldo Emerson which expressed a need for a uniquely American poet. When the book was first published, Whitman sent a copy to Emerson, whose praiseful letter of response helped launch the book to success. Whitman’s hero, Abraham Lincoln, read and enjoyed an early version of Leaves of Grass. Despite such high recommendations, Whitman faced charges of obscenity and immorality for his work, but this only led to increased popularity of the book. Whitman continually revised and republished Leaves of Grass throughout his lifetime, notably adding the “Drum-Taps” section after Lincoln’s assassination. The book grew from 12 poems in its first publication, which Whitman paid for and typeset himself, to nearly 400 poems in its final, “Death Bed Edition.” This recording is of the final edition. (Summary adapted from wikipedia.org by Annie Coleman) Author - Walt Whitman. Narrator - LibriVox Community. Published Date - Thursday, 19 January 2023.
Language:
English
Chapter 1
Duration:00:29:57
Chapter 2
Duration:00:33:48
Chapter 3
Duration:00:29:59
Chapter 4
Duration:00:43:37
Chapter 5
Duration:00:46:44
Chapter 6
Duration:00:37:49
Chapter 7
Duration:00:50:22
Chapter 8
Duration:00:46:15
Chapter 9
Duration:00:50:45
Chapter 10
Duration:00:41:10
Chapter 11
Duration:00:45:22
Chapter 12
Duration:00:20:51
Chapter 13
Duration:00:10:33
Chapter 14
Duration:00:24:34
Chapter 15
Duration:00:15:16
Chapter 16
Duration:00:31:13
Chapter 17
Duration:00:09:57
Chapter 18
Duration:00:48:16
Chapter 19
Duration:00:23:44
Chapter 20
Duration:00:41:26
Chapter 21
Duration:00:46:54
Chapter 22
Duration:00:15:20
Chapter 23
Duration:00:35:26
Chapter 24
Duration:00:48:32
Chapter 25
Duration:00:44:18
Chapter 26
Duration:00:13:06
Chapter 27
Duration:00:20:11
Chapter 28
Duration:00:27:58
Chapter 29
Duration:00:40:18
Chapter 30
Duration:00:14:49
Chapter 31
Duration:00:50:46
Chapter 32
Duration:00:38:20
Chapter 33
Duration:00:49:05
Chapter 34
Duration:00:28:49