2. Walt Whitman(1819-1892): the poet of American democracy Major Works: The Free Man(1848-1849);Leaves of Grass(1865) ● General themes: Sidney Lanier: As nearly as I can make it out, Whitmans argument seems to be that... because the Mississippi is long therefore every American is God o Whitman identified himself with the common man “ celebrate myself and sing myself-but"“ here is everyone 2021/2212021/2/21 7 2. Walt Whitman (1819-1892) : ⚫ the poet of American democracy ⚫ Major Works: The Free Man (1848-1849); Leaves of Grass (1865) ⚫ General themes: ⚫ Sidney Lanier: “As nearly as I can make it out, Whitman’s argument seems to be that…because the Mississippi is long, therefore every American is God.” ⚫ Whitman identified himself with the common man. ⚫ “I celebrate myself and sing myself”—but “I “here is everyone