How did Leaves of Grass differ from earlier American poetry?

Leaves of Grass marked a radical departure from earlier American poetry, which had largely relied on European traditions for its form and subject matter. In contrast, Walt Whitman’s collection introduced a distinctively American voice, style, and thematic focus.1

Key differences included:

• Form: Whitman abandoned traditional rhyme and meter in favor of free verse. His style utilized oratorical rhythms and enumerative lists of American objects and place-names, which many contemporaries initially dismissed as unpoetic.21
• Subject Matter: While earlier works often looked to Europe, Whitman’s poetry was deeply nationalistic, reflecting the scale and spirit of the North American continent. He celebrated the individual, democracy, and the physical human body, often using frank, expansive language that led to accusations of indecency.21
• Persona: Influenced by the Romantic movement, Whitman used the "I" of his poems to assert a mythical, vital personality, positioning himself as the untamed, rugged spokesman for a young nation.21
• Themes: His work centered on the symbolic identification of nature’s regenerative power with the divinity of the soul, treating poetry as a supreme form of wisdom.21