Another Look at America's Poet

Send us Fan MailThis episode is about the many facets of America’s Poet - Walt Whitman.  George attempts to take a deep dive (as much as possible in a single podcast episode) into the personal life of Walt Whitman, fully knowing that millions of words have been written about him.Learn about the time that Whitman met Poe.Learn a VERY embarrassing (but hopefully enlightening) story about George.Learn about MAJOR differences between different editions of Leaves of Grass,Learn why the Calamus poems were so controversial.Learn about the time that Walt Whitman and Oscar Wilde met.Learn how Rufus Griswold (yes, THAT Griswold) trashed Whitman.Learn how Whitman was considered undesirable and shocking for “decent ears.”Learn how lawyers of the time considered Whitman a homosexual because he never smoked, and did not enjoy war.00:00 Introduction 01:54 Whitman and Poe07:22 “Shame” around the campfire09:01 Whitman’s life12:31 Comparison of versions from Leaves of Grass16:53 Civil War and Beat! Beat! Drums!18:40 O Captain, My Captain21:04 from Crossing Brooklyn Ferry 22:14 Calamus poems29:13 Reflections on public perceptions30:49 Walt Whitman’s Anomaly34:16 Whitman and intimate relationships?36:01 Rufus Griswold’s opinions38:30 Meeting of Wilde and Whitman40:41 Conclusion44:20 Future Episodes44:52 Sources45:54 OutroSupport the showThank you for experiencing Celebrate Creativity.