THE POETRY OF DEMOCRACY: WALT WHITMAN.
The naturalist school of criticism has not studied American literature
-Its European character-Longfellow and Irving-Causes of
absence of indigenous growths-Whitman a summons and a
challenge Meaning of a representative poet-Character of aristo-
cratic art-Attention to form-Selectness-Indifference to the
people-Noble ideals of heroic character-Love of the Past-
Character of democratic art-Absence of canons-Appeals to a
nation-Attitude toward the Past-Form of Whitman's writings
-His wide sympathies-Principle of equality-His delight in man
-His tolerance-His feeling toward science-His fear of spurious
culture-No individual his hero-His catalogues explained-De
Tocqueville on the poetry of democracy-Whitman's fears, for
America-His materialism and spirituality-His freedom from
asceticism-His ideals of manly character-True culture-Woman-
ly ideals-His love of comradeship-His interpretation of nature
-His mystical tendency-His optimism-His feeling towards
death-His influence to free and arouse-Conclusion,