Walt Whitman Was the Type of Person

Walt Whitman was the type of person who makes it possible for society to change its perspective on a lot of things. By introducing innovative theories and by encouraging people to be open-minded Whitman actually played an important role in assisting the masses as they experienced progress. Even with the fact that many (the majority of his contemporaries) considered his works to be eccentric and deviant at times, he is partly responsible for assisting the U.S. go through a rebirth process when considering things from a point-of-view involving literature.

One of the most intriguing concepts about Whitman was that he was obsessed with reaching out to common people in an attempt to have them acknowledge the importance of changing most of their attitudes. The poet practically considered that literature could be used as a tool that could change many things about the social order and that could influence individuals to put across feelings that would have a positive effect both on themselves and on the world as a whole. This is also shown by the fact that he was involved in a series of groups that discussed matters like politics, sexuality, and morality.

It is only safe to assume that much of Whitman's thinking can be understood as being part of a counterculture movement that was intended to criticize thinking expressed during most of the nineteenth century. "Leaves of Grass" is probably one of the most controversial documents written during the nineteenth century. Whitman introduced a series of concepts that contradicted widely accepted values and that induced confusing thoughts in people who came across them. This man did not simply expect his works to be considered beautiful, as he also wanted people to comprehend the messages that he wanted to express.

Whitman was primarily interested in playing an active role in changing people's thinking and behavior with the purpose of having them abandon principles that were obsolete and that actually had a negative effect on society. The poet was successful in contributing to the U.S.' short history by enriching its culture and by having numerous individuals concentrate on their need for values that directly benefited them and society in general.