About the book
Walt Whitman has long been regarded as the quintessential American bard, the poet who best represents all that is distinctive about life in the United States. Whitman himself encouraged this view, but he was also quick to remind his readers that he was an unlikely candidate for the office of national poet, and that his working-class upbringing and radical take on human sexuality often put him at odds with American culture. While American literary history has tended to credit Whitman with having invented the persona of the national outsider as the national bard, Edward Whitley recovers three of Whitman’s contemporaries who adopted similar personae: James M. Whitfield, an African American separatist and abolitionist; Eliza R. Snow, a Mormon pioneer and women’s leader; and John Rollin Ridge, a Cherokee journalist and Native-rights advocate.
These three poets not only provide a counterpoint to the Whitmanian persona of the outsider bard, but they also reframe the criteria by which generations of scholars have characterized Whitman as America’s poet. This effort to resituate Whitman’s place in American literary history provides an innovative perspective on the most familiar poet of the United States and the culture from which he emerged.
Editions of American Bards
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780807834213
- Paperback
- ISBN 9781469615219
- EBook
- ISBN 9780807899427
- EBook
- ISBN 9781469606354
- EBook
- ISBN 9798890883230
- EBook
- ISBN 9798893133288
Read an Excerpt
Walt Whitman has long been regarded as the quintessential American bard, the poet who best represents all that is distinctive about life in the United States. Whitman himself encouraged this view, but he was also quick to remind his readers that he was an unlikely candidate for the office of national poet, and that his working-class upbringing and radical take on human sexuality often put him at odds with American culture. While American literary history has tended to credit Whitman with having invented the persona of the national outsider as the national bard, Edward Whitley recovers three of Whitman’s contemporaries who adopted similar personae: James M. Whitfield, an African American separatist and abolitionist; Eliza R. Snow, a Mormon pioneer and women’s leader; and John Rollin Ridge, a Cherokee journalist and Native-rights advocate.
These three poets not only provide a counterpoint to the Whitmanian persona of the outsider bard, but they also reframe the criteria by which generations of scholars have characterized Whitman as America’s poet. This effort to resituate Whitman’s place in American literary history provides an innovative perspective on the most familiar poet of the United States and the culture from which he emerged.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is American Bards about?
Walt Whitman has long been regarded as the quintessential American bard, the poet who best represents all that is distinctive about life in the United States. Whitman himself encouraged this view, but he was also quick to remind his readers that he was an unlikely candidate for the office of national poet, and that his working-class upbringing and radical take on human sexuality often put him at odds with American culture. While American literary history has tended to credit Whitman with having invented the persona of the national outsider as the national bard, Edward Whitley recovers three of Whitman’s contemporaries who adopted similar personae: James M. Whitfield, an African American separatist and abolitionist; Eliza R. Snow, a Mormon pioneer and women’s leader; and John Rollin Ridge, a Cherokee journalist and Native-rights advocate.
These three poets not only provide a counterpoint to the Whitmanian persona of the outsider bard, but they also reframe the criteria by which generations of scholars have characterized Whitman as America’s poet. This effort to resituate Whitman’s place in American literary history provides an innovative perspective on the most familiar poet of the United States and the culture from which he emerged.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in American Bards?
Biography, Literature and Literary studies > Literature: history and criticism > Literary studies: poetry and poets
Where can I read a sample of American Bards?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780807834213
How long is American Bards and how many pages does it have?
American Bards has 264 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book American Bards?
Edward Whitley
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
American Bards is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780807834213) and paperback(ISBN 9781469615219) and ebook(ISBN 9780807899427) and ebook(ISBN 9781469606354) and ebook(ISBN 9798890883230) and ebook(ISBN 9798893133288)
Where can I buy American Bards online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy American Bards from below
Where can I buy American Bards?