Question
Why is Whitman considered a key figure in the transition from Romanticism to Realism?
He saw beauty in the flaws as well as the perfections in the country and its people.
He had moral issues with the practice of slavery in America.
He revised and added to his collection Leaves of Grass many times.
He highly valued the English literary tradition.
He saw beauty in the flaws as well as the perfections in the country and its people.
He had moral issues with the practice of slavery in America.
He revised and added to his collection Leaves of Grass many times.
He highly valued the English literary tradition.
Answers
GPT-4o mini
Walt Whitman is considered a key figure in the transition from Romanticism to Realism for several reasons, the most significant being:
1. **Emphasis on the Ordinary**: Whitman celebrated the everyday life, the common people, and the natural world in ways that were characteristic of Realism. His poetry depicted the American experience as it truly existed, rather than idealizing it.
2. **Inclusive Vision**: Whitman saw beauty in both the flaws and perfections of America and its people, which aligns with the Realist emphasis on an authentic depiction of life, moving away from the idealized subjects often found in Romanticism.
3. **Self-Expression and Individualism**: While Romanticism often focused on the individual and subjective experience, Whitman pushed these ideas further by embracing a collective American identity in works like "Leaves of Grass." His focus on democracy and inclusivity resonated with the Realist movement's attention to social issues and the human condition.
4. **Moral Issues and Life Realities**: His moral outrage at issues such as slavery reflects a Realist concern with social justice, portraying the gritty realities of life rather than heightened emotional experiences.
In summary, while Whitman does not strictly fit into either category, his work encapsulates the transition from the emotive focus of Romanticism to the more grounded and realistic approach that characterized later American literature. The other options provided do not fully capture this transition the way these aspects of his work and approach do.
1. **Emphasis on the Ordinary**: Whitman celebrated the everyday life, the common people, and the natural world in ways that were characteristic of Realism. His poetry depicted the American experience as it truly existed, rather than idealizing it.
2. **Inclusive Vision**: Whitman saw beauty in both the flaws and perfections of America and its people, which aligns with the Realist emphasis on an authentic depiction of life, moving away from the idealized subjects often found in Romanticism.
3. **Self-Expression and Individualism**: While Romanticism often focused on the individual and subjective experience, Whitman pushed these ideas further by embracing a collective American identity in works like "Leaves of Grass." His focus on democracy and inclusivity resonated with the Realist movement's attention to social issues and the human condition.
4. **Moral Issues and Life Realities**: His moral outrage at issues such as slavery reflects a Realist concern with social justice, portraying the gritty realities of life rather than heightened emotional experiences.
In summary, while Whitman does not strictly fit into either category, his work encapsulates the transition from the emotive focus of Romanticism to the more grounded and realistic approach that characterized later American literature. The other options provided do not fully capture this transition the way these aspects of his work and approach do.
a b c d
GPT-4o mini
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