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Why is Leaves of Grass considered a landmark of American literature?

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“Walt Whitman, an American, one of the roughs, a kosmos” — Walt Whitman American poet Walt Whitman, photograph by Mathew Brady.

Leaves of Grass is considered a landmark of American literature primarily because it broke away from the European traditions that dominated earlier American poetry, establishing a distinct national voice.12

Key reasons for its significance include:

Innovative Form: Whitman pioneered the use of free verse, rejecting traditional meter and rhyme in favor of oratorical rhythms and enumerative lists that captured the spirit of the United States.12
Nationalistic Themes: The collection reflected the scale and potential of the North American continent, celebrating democracy, the individual, and the beauty of the human body.12
Philosophical Depth: Whitman’s work is defined by a symbolic identification of nature’s regenerative power with the divinity of the soul, positioning poetry as a supreme form of human wisdom.12

While the work was controversial during his lifetime—leading to charges of indecency and even job loss—it eventually gained recognition for its profound influence on both American and foreign literature.1