Anyone Else Dislike Walt Witman?
First, let me say I appreciate all Walt Witman did for poetry. He revolutionized it structurally and topically, and I respect that.
But, damn, is it a bore to read. I have had to read Song of Myself three times now for different classes, twice just exceprts and once the whole thing. And try as hard as I have, I just don't like this poem. It is boring and pretentious.
Does anyone else agree?
You can come on here and point out the infinite reasons why I am wrong if you want, I have heard it before.
The " Argument" of Song of Myself
I. Phase 1---5 : The initial insight into the creative nature ("the procreant urge") of the self and initiating of creative power which follows spontaneously upon that insight.
II. 6---16: Recognition of the relation of the self to its world and a seeking after the metamorphosis which follow spontaneously upon that recognition.
III. 17---25: The role of the self in and through its world. The poet is not simply a force, but a force defined in terms of its world, now he is fully a person and can name himself: " Walt Whitman, a Kosmos of Manhattan the son"
IV. The poet is fully at home, in his newly defined world, fully sure of himself and his " procreant urge"...." I am an acme of things accomplished, and I am encloser of things to be".