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Walt Whitman's presence in Maxine Hong Kingston's 'Tripmaster Monkey: His Fake Book.' (Maskers and Tricksters)

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From: MELUS
Date: 19951222
Author:Tanner, James T.F.

Maxine Hong Kingston's 1989 novel, 'Tripmaster Monkey: His Fake Book,' contains numerous references to 19th century poet Walt Whitman and his literary themes. The main character Wittman Ah Sing is named after Whitman and the character's mottos follow the poet's own ideas for America. Wittman Ah Sing is interested in the creation of self and community in a democratic society. The first two chapters of Kingston's novel contain references to Whitman's 'Song of Myself,' and other chapters reference some of Whitman's other poems.

In this essay, I will attempt to examine and evaluate the ...

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