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Democratic Vistas and Other Papers
This is a reproduction of a book published before 1923. This book may have occasional imperfections such as missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. that were either part of the original artifact, or were introduced by the scanning process. We believe this work is culturally important, and despite the imperfections, have elected to bring it back into print as part of our continuing commitment to the preservation of printed works worldwide. We appreciate your understanding of the imperfections in the preservation process, and hope you enjoy this valuable book.
83 pages, Library Binding
First published January 1, 1871
About the author
Walt Whitman
1,653 books5,499 followersWalter Whitman Jr. was an American poet, essayist, and journalist. He is considered one of the most influential poets in American literature. Whitman incorporated both transcendentalism and realism in his writings and is often called the father of free verse. His work was controversial in his time, particularly his 1855 poetry collection Leaves of Grass, which was described by some as obscene for its overt sensuality.
Whitman was born in Huntington on Long Island, and lived in Brooklyn as a child and through much of his career. At the age of 11, he left formal schooling to go to work. He worked as a journalist, a teacher, and a government clerk. Whitman's major poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855, was financed with his own money and became well known. The work was an attempt to reach out to the common person with an American epic. Whitman continued expanding and revising Leaves of Grass until his death in 1892.
During the American Civil War, he went to Washington, D.C., and worked in hospitals caring for the wounded. His poetry often focused on both loss and healing. On the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, whom Whitman greatly admired, he authored two poems, "O Captain! My Captain!" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", and gave a series of lectures on Lincoln. After suffering a stroke towards the end of his life, Whitman moved to Camden, New Jersey, where his health further declined. When he died at the age of 72, his funeral was a public event.
Whitman's influence on poetry remains strong. Art historian Mary Berenson wrote, "You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without Leaves of Grass... He has expressed that civilization, 'up to date,' as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him." Modernist poet Ezra Pound called Whitman "America's poet... He is America."
Whitman was born in Huntington on Long Island, and lived in Brooklyn as a child and through much of his career. At the age of 11, he left formal schooling to go to work. He worked as a journalist, a teacher, and a government clerk. Whitman's major poetry collection, Leaves of Grass, first published in 1855, was financed with his own money and became well known. The work was an attempt to reach out to the common person with an American epic. Whitman continued expanding and revising Leaves of Grass until his death in 1892.
During the American Civil War, he went to Washington, D.C., and worked in hospitals caring for the wounded. His poetry often focused on both loss and healing. On the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, whom Whitman greatly admired, he authored two poems, "O Captain! My Captain!" and "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd", and gave a series of lectures on Lincoln. After suffering a stroke towards the end of his life, Whitman moved to Camden, New Jersey, where his health further declined. When he died at the age of 72, his funeral was a public event.
Whitman's influence on poetry remains strong. Art historian Mary Berenson wrote, "You cannot really understand America without Walt Whitman, without Leaves of Grass... He has expressed that civilization, 'up to date,' as he would say, and no student of the philosophy of history can do without him." Modernist poet Ezra Pound called Whitman "America's poet... He is America."
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 21, 2021
Whitman's Democratic Vistas
Walt Whitman may not have been a great prose stylist. His 1871 essay "Democratic Vistas" is wandering, difficult to follow, and full of the lengthy lists and the bravado that informs his poetry. With its difficulty, Whitman's essay deserves much more attention than it receives as a study of the nature of American democracy. A "vista" is a wide or long view. In his essay, Whitman takes a long, visionary view of American democracy that remains inspiring and important to Americans through the sometimes confusion of its writing.
In his book, "The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders" the American philosopher Jacob Needleman called "Democratic Vistas" "the most powerful manifesto ever written about the inner meaning of American democracy." Needleman found that the essay "sounds a call of merciless and merciful clarity, like a buoy ringing and ringing in the blinding storm and heaving waters." In an article in "The Atlantic" of May 2003, titled "What Whitman Knew", David Brooks described "Democratic Vistas" as still the "best explanation of the nation's energies and aspirations" Brooks argues that Whitman's essay "survives as our most brilliant political sermon because it embodies the exuberant energy of American society -- the energy that can make other peoples so nervous -- and it captures in its hodgepodge nature both the high aspirations and the sordid realities of everyday life."
Whitman's essay explores the meaning and direction of the United States in the aftermath of the Civil War. It was motivated in part by an 1867 essay of Thomas Carlyle "Shooting Niagara -- and After?" that severely criticized American democracy, including the expansion of the franchise. "Democratic Vistas" is an amalgamation of three earlier essays of Whitman that set forth its themes: the first was titled "Democracy", the second "Personalism" and the third "Orbic Literature". Each of these essays in turn drew on prior writings or memorandums. Whitman acknowledged in "Democratic Vistas" that the component essays were not entirely consistent with one another, but he said that the various views set out in the work needed to be read as commenting upon and qualifying each other.
Whitman argues that the uniqueness of America lies in democracy and freedom. He contrasts the United States with the culture of "feudalism" or hierarchy that he finds existed in the world up to American independence. The promise of the United States is to create a nation and culture separate from feudalism and to share it with the world. Whitman finds that the United States had not yet realized this goal. Much of "Democratic Vistas" is devoted to a sharp criticism of the Reconstruction following the Civil War with its crassness, its pursuit of money and material growth and its creation of large social and economic divisions. The critique is sharp and often eloquent.
The book then moves to a discussion of a philosophy Whitman calls "personalism". As Whitman develops it, personalism teaches the worth of each individual ranging from the highest to the lowest in the society. He sees personalism as a philosophy antithetical to feudalism. Yet Whitman also combines individualism and personalism with solidarity, community, and brotherhood. With great insight, he sees personalism and individuality as a part of a necessary patriotism and love for the United States, rather than opposed to it.
In the third section of the essay, Whitman turns to ways in which the values of American democracy can be articulated and promoted. He does not turn exclusively to extension of the franchise or to further material accomplishments. Instead his goal is the development of a national literature which celebrates the value of the everyday and the lives and dreams of Americans. This literature will have the toughness of the United States rather than the gentility of Europe even though it will draw on and expand the great literary works and poems of history. Whitman sees literature as creating and expanding the dreams of Americans as a diverse but united people. Among other things I was reminded of the American philosopher Richard Rorty in his book "Achieving Our Country". Rorty admired Whitman greatly and made somewhat similar claims about the power and importance of a national literature.
The part of "Democratic Vistas" that most impressed me was its recognition of the importance of religion and spirituality and its adoption of a philosophy of idealism which owes a great deal to Hegel. Whitman separates religion from the sectarianism of the churches and argues that Americans must develop a sense of the spiritual life to avoid materialism, to understand nature properly, and to give meaning and purpose to their lives.
Whitman finds that the most important question to ask in considering a book or any work of art is "has it helped any human soul?". He continues to explain how Americans must be taken in their literature to a consideration of life's meaning in the world beyond nature. Whitman writes:
"As, within the purposes of the Kosmos, and vivifying all meteorology, and all the congeries of the mineral, vegetable and animal worlds -- all the physical growth and development of man, and all the history of the race in politics, religions, wars &c, there is a moral purpose, a visible or invisible intention, certainly underlying all -- its results and proof needing to be patiently waited for -- needing intuition, faith, idiosyncrasy, to its realization, which many, and especially the intellectual, do not have -- so in the product, or congeries of the product of the greatest literatus. This is the last, profoundest measure and test of a first-class literary or esthetic achievement, and when understood and put in force must fain, I say, lead to works, books, nobler than any hitherto known."
Whitman's America is ultimately spiritual in character.
"Democratic Vistas" does not create a program to realize its ambitions. Instead it is a visionary, mythological work which encourages Americans to find meaning and purpose in their country and its future. The work is available in several editions and is included in the Library of America's volume "Walt Whitman: Complete Poetry and Selected Prose".
Robin Friedman
Walt Whitman may not have been a great prose stylist. His 1871 essay "Democratic Vistas" is wandering, difficult to follow, and full of the lengthy lists and the bravado that informs his poetry. With its difficulty, Whitman's essay deserves much more attention than it receives as a study of the nature of American democracy. A "vista" is a wide or long view. In his essay, Whitman takes a long, visionary view of American democracy that remains inspiring and important to Americans through the sometimes confusion of its writing.
In his book, "The American Soul: Rediscovering the Wisdom of the Founders" the American philosopher Jacob Needleman called "Democratic Vistas" "the most powerful manifesto ever written about the inner meaning of American democracy." Needleman found that the essay "sounds a call of merciless and merciful clarity, like a buoy ringing and ringing in the blinding storm and heaving waters." In an article in "The Atlantic" of May 2003, titled "What Whitman Knew", David Brooks described "Democratic Vistas" as still the "best explanation of the nation's energies and aspirations" Brooks argues that Whitman's essay "survives as our most brilliant political sermon because it embodies the exuberant energy of American society -- the energy that can make other peoples so nervous -- and it captures in its hodgepodge nature both the high aspirations and the sordid realities of everyday life."
Whitman's essay explores the meaning and direction of the United States in the aftermath of the Civil War. It was motivated in part by an 1867 essay of Thomas Carlyle "Shooting Niagara -- and After?" that severely criticized American democracy, including the expansion of the franchise. "Democratic Vistas" is an amalgamation of three earlier essays of Whitman that set forth its themes: the first was titled "Democracy", the second "Personalism" and the third "Orbic Literature". Each of these essays in turn drew on prior writings or memorandums. Whitman acknowledged in "Democratic Vistas" that the component essays were not entirely consistent with one another, but he said that the various views set out in the work needed to be read as commenting upon and qualifying each other.
Whitman argues that the uniqueness of America lies in democracy and freedom. He contrasts the United States with the culture of "feudalism" or hierarchy that he finds existed in the world up to American independence. The promise of the United States is to create a nation and culture separate from feudalism and to share it with the world. Whitman finds that the United States had not yet realized this goal. Much of "Democratic Vistas" is devoted to a sharp criticism of the Reconstruction following the Civil War with its crassness, its pursuit of money and material growth and its creation of large social and economic divisions. The critique is sharp and often eloquent.
The book then moves to a discussion of a philosophy Whitman calls "personalism". As Whitman develops it, personalism teaches the worth of each individual ranging from the highest to the lowest in the society. He sees personalism as a philosophy antithetical to feudalism. Yet Whitman also combines individualism and personalism with solidarity, community, and brotherhood. With great insight, he sees personalism and individuality as a part of a necessary patriotism and love for the United States, rather than opposed to it.
In the third section of the essay, Whitman turns to ways in which the values of American democracy can be articulated and promoted. He does not turn exclusively to extension of the franchise or to further material accomplishments. Instead his goal is the development of a national literature which celebrates the value of the everyday and the lives and dreams of Americans. This literature will have the toughness of the United States rather than the gentility of Europe even though it will draw on and expand the great literary works and poems of history. Whitman sees literature as creating and expanding the dreams of Americans as a diverse but united people. Among other things I was reminded of the American philosopher Richard Rorty in his book "Achieving Our Country". Rorty admired Whitman greatly and made somewhat similar claims about the power and importance of a national literature.
The part of "Democratic Vistas" that most impressed me was its recognition of the importance of religion and spirituality and its adoption of a philosophy of idealism which owes a great deal to Hegel. Whitman separates religion from the sectarianism of the churches and argues that Americans must develop a sense of the spiritual life to avoid materialism, to understand nature properly, and to give meaning and purpose to their lives.
Whitman finds that the most important question to ask in considering a book or any work of art is "has it helped any human soul?". He continues to explain how Americans must be taken in their literature to a consideration of life's meaning in the world beyond nature. Whitman writes:
"As, within the purposes of the Kosmos, and vivifying all meteorology, and all the congeries of the mineral, vegetable and animal worlds -- all the physical growth and development of man, and all the history of the race in politics, religions, wars &c, there is a moral purpose, a visible or invisible intention, certainly underlying all -- its results and proof needing to be patiently waited for -- needing intuition, faith, idiosyncrasy, to its realization, which many, and especially the intellectual, do not have -- so in the product, or congeries of the product of the greatest literatus. This is the last, profoundest measure and test of a first-class literary or esthetic achievement, and when understood and put in force must fain, I say, lead to works, books, nobler than any hitherto known."
Whitman's America is ultimately spiritual in character.
"Democratic Vistas" does not create a program to realize its ambitions. Instead it is a visionary, mythological work which encourages Americans to find meaning and purpose in their country and its future. The work is available in several editions and is included in the Library of America's volume "Walt Whitman: Complete Poetry and Selected Prose".
Robin Friedman
March 28, 2017
too incoherent for me
January 11, 2024
Whitman's advice to a nation besieged by rapacious wealth and frivolous society – the people's redemption by literature – offers hope to artists in a country plagued once again by a similar set of circumstances.
January 3, 2022
The book is interesting for it provides a unique view of the America of his time, with an relevant message regarding the importance of a body of arts (literature in special) adequate for the demands of a democratic society. Said national literature ought to celebrate the achievements of American people, the strengths of its industry — to provide an ethos for the developing nation of the time.
A democratic society is not an end in itself, but it is the best *possible* system, allowing for the fostering of individuality, that “central divine idea of All”, where each individual is the sole master of her destiny. In this scenario, Whitman highlights the suffrage of women as not only a desirable outcome but rather a necessary step in liberating society from its feudal past into the promising future of a modern, democratic “New World”.
That being said, the style of writing is quite annoying at various points, with very long sentences filled with unnecessary listings and disconnected arguments. Its definitely not a book for everyone; if you like the endeavor, I would highly recommend reading this annotated version, which gives context and guidance for filtering and interpreting his main arguments.
A democratic society is not an end in itself, but it is the best *possible* system, allowing for the fostering of individuality, that “central divine idea of All”, where each individual is the sole master of her destiny. In this scenario, Whitman highlights the suffrage of women as not only a desirable outcome but rather a necessary step in liberating society from its feudal past into the promising future of a modern, democratic “New World”.
That being said, the style of writing is quite annoying at various points, with very long sentences filled with unnecessary listings and disconnected arguments. Its definitely not a book for everyone; if you like the endeavor, I would highly recommend reading this annotated version, which gives context and guidance for filtering and interpreting his main arguments.
July 9, 2021
Amazing how appropriate parts of this were for the current day.
March 17, 2015
As with so much of Whitman's prose, Democratic Vistas is quite repetitive. It seems, nonetheless, an essential accompaniment to Leaves of Grass, adding new political concerns to those already evident in the poems and throwing into deeper uncertainty some of the poem's triumphal conclusions (while of course resounding some new ones of its own). A fascinating text for understanding what Whitman saw to be the problems facing the union after the great crisis of disunion.
September 18, 2013
Still undisputed champion of the fever-rant. Love you , Walt.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews