... a nation on the brink of civil war. Due to Whitman's bold and forward statements, his work received much criticism. Many believe Whitman's work speaks about the wrongs of society in terms of sexuality, and negatively portrays many cultural dichotomies. On the other hand, I believe that upon my close examination of "Song of Myself," it can be argued that anti-homosexuality is ... understand the mood Whitman projects about life in general, in his poem, through the use of bold statements. Optimism in regard to humanity and life shows through in Whitman's earlier poetry. For example, the fi...

• Word Count: 861
• Approx Pages: 3
• Grade Level: Undergraduate