Poet at Work: Recovered Notebooks from the Thomas Biggs Harned Walt Whitman Collection

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Walt Whitman Notebooks, 1847-1860s allows students to study several aspects of poetry, including the writing process, the uses of style, the creation of mood, and the relationship between poetry and prose. In addition to his journals, Whitman's cardboard butterfly occasions an exploration into the relationship between multiple creative media.

Comparing pages 12 and 15 of Notebook #86, students may witness how Whitman developed and refined his ideas as he wrote. They can see how Whitman revised these journal entries for later publication by comparing pages 65 and 68-72 of Notebook #80 to lines of "Song of Myself" or pages 200-201 of Notebook #94 to his poem, "Quicksand Years" and page 189 to "A Noiseless Patient Spider". Whitman's process of editing is evidenced on numerous pages, including page 8 of Notebook #101 where Whitman has written with two different pens. Finally, a letter and corrected reprint in the Library's collection, Words and Deeds in American History, demonstrates how poets continue to rework their poetry even after publication. Ask students to consider the following questions.

Notebook LC #101 "Hospital" Notebook --"Platner and Porter, Congress," page 8
Walt Whitman Notebooks, 1847-1860s

• What words and passages did Whitman cross out? What did he replace them with? Why do you think he made these choices? How do they change the meaning?
• What do we learn about an author's intentions and goals in reading multiple drafts of one written work?
• How has this process of rewriting and editing changed with the use of computers? Have scholars lost something valuable in not being able to see words crossed out or drafts rewritten?

After students have read some of Whitman's poetry, discuss the characteristics of his style. These characteristics can be brought into relief by comparing Whitman's work with that of other writers such as his contemporary, Emily Dickinson. What information or feelings does the style of a poem convey? How, when, and why do writers develop their own styles or use pre-established styles? How does a poet gain support for a new style of writing? Students can inform their discussion by reading Ralph Waldo Emerson's supportive letter to Walt Whitman in Words and Deeds in American History. With a grasp of the elements of poetic style, students can write their own poems in the style of a poet of their choice, or in their own style.

Whitman's journals provide the occasion for a lesson on mood. Have students read pages 2, 4, 6, and 8 of Notebook #101 and ask for a volunteer to read the passage aloud. In discussion, consider what techniques Whitman employs to create a powerful mood. How does the passage make one feel? What images does it conjure? What sounds and rhythms were heard? Ask students to browse the notebooks for other passages that express mood powerfully and have them explain how they do so. Or, students can practice creating mood in their own prose or poetry.

Whitman frequently reached for pen and paper to record his thoughts, ideas, observations, and tasks. If a notebook was not handy, he used scraps of paper. By comparing Whitman's poetry and prose (see the section above on The Writing Process) students can see how Whitman's journal writing also developed into poetry, how his poetry resembled prose, and how poetic his prose could be. In this way, they may witness the very close relationship between the two media.

Students can buy or make their own notebooks to jot full of notes. There are no right or wrong notes to include. After a given period of time, they can review their notebooks and choose a topic or passage to develop into an essay or poem.

Further consider the relationship between different creative media by contemplating Whitman's cardboard butterfly. Why would a person want to combine visual and literary media? Ask students why, given what they know about him, Whitman might have combined these media. Inform students of the changes Whitman made to the organization and look, especially the size and cover, of Leaves of Grass throughout his life. Why was Whitman so concerned with the book form? How does this interest relate to his other interests? Why might Whitman have enjoyed using journals so much?

LC #220 Whitman's Cardboard Butterfly Walt Whitman Notebooks, 1847-1860s