Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is a groundbreaking collection exploring human identity, the individual’s relationship with society, and the celebration of the physical form. Published in 1855, it challenged conventional poetry norms with free verse and an unrestrained exploration of the self. Whitman reflects on the interconnectedness of the city, the self, and the body, presenting the city as both a literal and metaphorical space where the self is shaped, and viewing the body as a vibrant expression tied to both the urban and spiritual realms. In this lesson plan, students will apply the vocabulary, collocations, and stylistic devices they have learned by collaborating in groups to annotate a poem. Each group will analyze a poem, write a two-paragraph essay, peer-review each other’s work, and deliver an oral presentation. This process enhances their writing, communication, and analytical skills. Marc A. Bauch is a Community Teaching Assistant for ModPo: Modern and Contemporary American Poetry at the University of Pennsylvania and for Poetry in America at Harvard University.

Textprobe: CLOSE READINGS AND ANALYSES OF WALT WHITMAN’S LEAVES OF GRASS The City, the Self, and the Body in Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass Walt Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is a groundbreaking collection of poetry that delves into the complexities of human identity, the relationship between the individual and society, and the celebration of the physical form. Published in 1855, the work challenged the conventional norms of poetry, embracing free verse and a bold, unrestrained exploration of the self. Whitman’s poems are not only an intimate meditation on the human condition but also a profound reflection on the interconnectedness of the city, the self, and the body. The themes of urban life, individual identity, and the sacredness of the physical body are intricately woven throughout his work, offering a visionary and holistic perspective on human existence. Through his innovative style and expansive vision, Whitman presents the city as both a literal and metaphorical space, where the self is constantly shaped, defined, and redefined. The body, for Whitman, is not an isolated or separate entity but a vibrant, living expression of the self that is intimately connected to both the urban environment and the spiritual realm. The City and the Self: Interconnectedness in Urban Life In Leaves of Grass, Whitman’s exploration of the city is deeply tied to his larger vision of selfhood and community. The city is not just a physical setting for the individual but a symbolic space where the self is both formed and challenged. As Whitman contemplates the bustling, ever-changing urban landscape, he recognizes the complexity of city life—its diversity, its noise, its chaos, and its potential for connection. For Whitman, the city becomes a place of endless possibility, where individuals from all walks of life come together, each contributing to the larger, collective human experience. In poems such as Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”, Whitman presents the city as a site where time and space collapse, allowing for a shared experience between the self and others, both present and future. The speaker in this poem envisions himself as part of a larger, continuous human narrative that transcends both time and geography. He writes: I am with you, you men and women of a generation, Or ever so many generations hence, Just as you feel when you look on the river and sky, so I felt. Leaves of Grass, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”, ll. 9-11 This passage highlights Whitman’s belief that the self is not a solitary or isolated entity. Rather, it is shaped by its connection to others—both those who inhabit the same space at the same time and those who will come after. Whitman’s use of the first-person pronoun I” blurs the lines between the individual and the collective, suggesting that the boundaries between self and society are porous and ever-changing. The city, in this context, becomes a metaphor for the larger human condition, where each person’s story is interwoven with the experiences of others. The interconnectedness of the city reflects the interconnectedness of humanity itself. Furthermore, Whitman recognizes the struggles and contradictions that come with urban life. The city, with its rapid pace and crowded streets, can be a site of alienation and anonymity. However, Whitman suggests that, rather than being alienating, the city offers the opportunity for a deeper connection to the human experience. It is in the city, with its diversity and multiplicity, that the self finds its place and its purpose. The urban environment serves as a canvas upon which individuals can express their identities while simultaneously being part of a larger, shared story. The Body and the Self: Celebration of the Physical Form One of the most striking aspects of Whitman’s Leaves of Grass is his radical embrace of the body. At a time when Victorian ideals often relegated the body to a secondary role in the pursuit of spiritual and intellectual fulfillment, Whitman championed the body as an essential part of the self. For Whitman, the body is not something to be ashamed of or disregarded but a vital expression of one’s humanity. In I Sing the Body Electric”, he exalts the physical form, celebrating its strength, beauty, and sensuality: The body is the soul’s thought, The body is the life of the soul, The body is the soul’s joy, The body is the spirit’s heart. Leaves of Grass, I Sing the Body Electric”, ll. 6-9 Whitman’s celebration of the body stands in stark contrast to the dominant religious and cultural narratives of his time, which often viewed the body as a source of temptation or weakness. Instead, Whitman portrays the body as sacred, a vessel through which the soul can experience the world and express itself. The body is not something to be suppressed or controlled it is an integral part of the self, an essential expression of life and vitality. In Song of Myself”, Whitman continues this theme by celebrating the physicality of the body in its most ordinary, everyday manifestations. In his famous lines: I loafe and invite my soul, / I lean and loafe at my ease observing a spear of summer grass.” (Leaves of Grass, Song of Myself”, Canto 1, ll. 4-5) Whitman invites the reader to slow down, to fully experience the present moment, and to connect with the body’s sensations in a direct and unmediated way. This celebration of the body extends beyond mere sensual pleasure it is a recognition of the body’s power and its ability to connect us to the world and to others. Through the body, Whitman suggests, the self can experience the fullness of life—its joys, its pains, and its pleasures. For Whitman, the body is not only a source of individual expression but also a means of connecting with the larger world. In his poems, the body becomes a metaphor for the soul’s journey, a means of engaging with the divine and the human at once. By rejecting the separation between body and soul, Whitman offers a holistic vision of the self—one that embraces the physical, emotional, and spiritual dimensions of human existence. The Body in the City: The Human Condition in Urban Spaces As Whitman celebrates the body, he also situates it within the context of the city. The urban landscape, with its rapid pace and diversity, becomes a metaphor for the complexities of the human body itself—its varied parts working together to form a cohesive whole. The city, much like the body, is a place of constant motion and interaction, where each individual plays a role in sustaining the collective organism. In poems like A Song for Occupations”, Whitman pays tribute to the physical labor that sustains both the city and the broader social body. He acknowledges the workers who, through their manual efforts, contribute to the life of the city: The carpenter dresses his plank, the mason is at his stone, / The boatman is rowing his boat, the shoemaker is sewing his shoe.” (Leaves of Grass, A Song for Occupations”, ll. 1-2) These lines celebrate the dignity of labor and the value of the human body in action. Whitman recognizes that the physical work of individuals—whether it is construction, transportation, or craftsmanship—is essential to the functioning of the city. The body, in this context, becomes both a symbol of personal identity and collective responsibility. Whitman underscores the importance of every individual, regardless of their station or occupation, in contributing to the vitality and sustainability of urban life. Furthermore, Whitman’s vision of the body in the city challenges traditional notions of class and hierarchy. In Leaves of Grass, the body is not defined by social status or material wealth it is defined by its inherent humanity. Whether a person is a laborer or a poet, their body is equally worthy of celebration. In this way, Whitman’s poetry serves as a critique of the social structures that separate individuals based on class, race, or occupation. The body, in Whitman’s vision, is a site of equality, where all individuals are united by their shared humanity. Conclusion In Leaves of Grass, Walt Whitman presents a radical reimagining of the relationship between the city, the self, and the body. Through his poems, Whitman explores the ways in which these three elements intersect, forming a vision of human existence that is both deeply personal and universally relevant. The city, with its constant motion and diversity, serves as a backdrop for the self’s ongoing development and connection to others. The body, in Whitman’s view, is not something to be feared or denied but a sacred vessel through which the self can experience the fullness of life. By celebrating the body and rejecting the separation between body and soul, Whitman offers a vision of life that is holistic, inclusive, and transformative. Ultimately, Whitman’s Leaves of Grass challenges readers to reconsider their relationship with the world around them—both the physical body and the social body. Through his poetry, Whitman invites us to embrace the interconnectedness of all people and to celebrate the vitality of life in all its forms. His work remains a powerful reminder that the self is never truly isolated but always in dialogue with others, whether through the shared experience of the city or the collective expression of the human body.

• Walt Whitman

• Leaves of Grass

• poetry

• identity

• society

• self

• body

• analysis

After graduating and completing his studies at Saarbrücken University and in the US, including the Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania and the Barker Center at Harvard University, Marc A. Bauch undertook a traineeship at the teacher training seminar in Neunkirchen (Saarland, Germany) from 2002 to 2004. Since 2004, he has been a teacher for English, mathematics, computer science, and digital media. Along with his role as subject conference leader, he also organized student exchanges. In 2013, he earned his Ph.D. in American Studies/American Literature from Saarbrücken University, his subjects were American Studies/American Literature (major), English Literature and Mathematics (minors). His dissertation explored the American musical. He is also a community teaching assistant for Poetry in America, an online course from Harvard University, and for ModPo: Modern and Contemporary American Poetry at the Kelly Writers House at the University of Pennsylvania. Additionally, he is the convener of the European Time Zone Meetup Group for ModPo.