Witty Whitman

(If you're watching Breaking Bad right now, don't watch the clip above)

On page 19 of Walt Whitman's notebook, amid notes including addresses and information about people he had met, Whitman writes, "small in theme yet has it the sweep of the universe." Though no explanation accompanies the statement, we (or maybe just me...those #englishteachertingles) might interpret it as the desire to explore universal themes, or maybe just the universe (!) through our own experiences. It's almost as if Whitman is challenging us to do so, challenging us to notice the seemingly mundane (like you do when looking at page 19). In "A Noiseless, Patient Spider" Whitman, while observing a spider weaving a web. becomes aware of his "soul … Ceaselessly musing, venturing, … Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere."

Sometime during the late fall or winter of 1860-61, Walt Whitman began an imaginary conversation with Abraham Lincoln that would continue for decades to come, inspiring several of the most famous poems in American literature. The poet began his dialogue with the president-elect “as in a dream.” Most of the notebook pages reproduced here have never before been published. — ADAM GOODHEART

Whitman's notebooks were characteristic of his writing process- using the notebooks as a source of the personal experience and universal themes explored in his poems. We'll consider this question during our study of Leaves of Grass: How does Whitman's poetry reflect his attempt to combine universal themes with the individual experiences and feelings? 

Before you start reading Whitman's poetry, spend some time reading his notebooks. The task for Blog #14 is below (the response to each step should be at least a paragraph...but I challenge you to explore even further than that): 

From The New York Times- “Disunion: Inside Walt Whitman’s Notebook”

Complete the following for Blog #14 (each should be at least a paragraph):

STEP 1) Go to https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/projects/documents/walt-whitman-and-abraham-lincoln. Click on the "Document" tab. Scroll through Whitman’s notebook and write down anything you notice- can you make out any words? Images? What might be significant? What is revealed about Whitman through his inner thoughts?

STEP 2) Now click on the "Notes" tab . Click on each yellow tag (or click “next”) to see what Whitman actually wrote and why he wrote it. Look back at your original observations and add to them. Again, consider what is significant and what is revealed about Whitman. 

"Breathing dreams like air..."

The American Dream originated in the early days of the American settlement as immigrants searched for new and hopefully better opportunities. It first manifested in the Declaration of Independence, which describes an attitude of hope. The Declaration of Independence states that “all man are created equal and that they are endowed with certain unalienable rights, among which are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness.” In The Great Gatsby, the American Dream is almost an additional character.

F. Scott Fitzgerald describes a new kind of American Dream, one that his audience in the 1920s would appreciate, be a part of, or perhaps even still simply yearn. Most of the people appearing in The Great Gatsby are full of hope, especially Gatsby who hopes  to win Daisy back. He has an "extraordinary gift of hope" (Fitzgerald 6, 10) and he sacrifices himself, his identity perhaps, to fulfill his dream.

For Blog #13, explore the idea of the “American Dream." This should serve as a reflection of who you are now and who you wish to become- hey, we’re studying the 1920s; in that spirit, let’s be optimistic. It would also be wise to consider culture, social values, etc. AND connect your own thoughts to what you see Fitzgerald doing in The Great Gatsby. Remember, we’re thinking about TEXTS and CONTEXTS for this part of the course.

To help you get started, here are four guiding questions that will ask you to consider your opinion, contemporary society, and Fitzgerald's context:

1. How would you describe the “American Dream?” Compare your own definition to the American Dream of the 1920s, and the American Dream in Fitzgerald's novel. 

2. What is your definition of wealth? Consider your definition with regards to how Fitzgerald defines, depicts, and develops the concept of wealth in the novel. 

3. What are Americans’ attitudes toward wealth and poverty? Discuss key scenes or events in the novel where wealth and poverty are compared or contrasted. Notice the subtle social commentary by Fitzgerald!

4. What is your attitude toward wealth and poverty?