The Influence of Walt Whitman on T. S. Eliot and the Modernists

Walt Whitman, the towering figure of American poetry in the 19th century, has left an indelible mark on the literary world, particularly on the works of T. S. Eliot and the modernist movement. Although T. S. Eliot and Walt Whitman were as different as individuals could be, the latter’s innovative and expansive approach to poetry served as a significant influence on Eliot and other early modernists.

Biographies and Influences

T. S. Eliot described himself as a classicist in literature, a royalist in politics, and an anglo-catholic in religion, while Whitman was seen as the antithesis in each of these aspects. Whitman was an avant-garde experimentalist in literature, a gung-ho advocate of democracy, and a heretic who saw himself as his own Christ. This stark contrast reveals the significant influence Whitman had, not just as a poet but as a pioneer in breaking the traditional norms.

Broadening the poetic landscape

Whitman’s influence on Eliot and the modernists was profound in terms of both form and content. He demonstrated that it was possible to write musical poetry without traditional poetic meter, which was dismissed by Pound as the "metronome." Whitman refused to be bound by strict meter and form, introducing the concept of "free verse," which would later be adopted and institutionalized by Pound and other modernists.

Expanding poetic boundaries

Whitman also broke the taboos of major English language poets. He addressed previously taboo topics such as homosexuality, masturbation, and other subjects, thus broadening the scope of poetry. Whitman’s poetry tapped into the unpoetic, the vulgar, and the profane, capturing the ordinary lives, occupations, and experiences of himself and his fellow Americans. He sought to express the heroic, noble, and divine in the common American experience, paving the way for a more inclusive and diverse poetics.

Modernist transformation

Whitman’s influence on modernism was perhaps most evident in how he freed poetry to deal with any subject, igniting a new poetic style that adapted to a changing world. Whitman’s idea of linkage between a changing world and a resultant new poetic style was critical to the modernist movement. The concept of "making it new" and breaking away from the past became a central tenet of modernist poetry.

Modernist pioneers and their evocation

Pound, one of the most influential early modernists, acknowledged Whitman’s influence in his poem "A Pact." In this poem, Pound refers to Whitman as the one who "broke the new wood," suggesting the necessity of creating a new poetic form and style. This sentiment aligns with the modernists' desire to break away from traditional forms and structures, embracing a more experimental and liberated approach to poetry.

Legacy and impact

In effect, Whitman reinvented poetry by creating more lenient and permissive rules for it to operate by. His work laid the groundwork for the modernist movement, challenging the conventions and norms of traditional poetry. This shift towards free verse and the liberation of content not only influenced Eliot and Pound but also other major poets of the early 20th century, such as H.D. and e.e. cummings.

Conclusion

Whitman’s influence on T. S. Eliot and the broader modernist movement cannot be overstated. His innovative and expansive approach to poetry, including breaking taboos and breaking away from traditional forms, paved the way for a new era in literary expression. The legacy of Whitman continues to resonate in the poetry of the 20th and 21st centuries, serving as a powerful reminder of the importance of innovation and breaking free from convention.