The Routledge Encyclopedia of Walt Whitman

About this book

The Routledge Encyclopedia of Walt Whitman presents a comprehensive resource complied by over 200 internationally recognized contributors including such leading Whitman scholars as James E. Miller Jr. Roger Asselineau Betsy Erkkila and Joel Myerson. Now available for the first time in paperback this volume comprises more than 750 entries arranged in convenient alphabetical format. Coverage includes: biographical information: all names dates places and events important to understanding Whitmans life and career Whitmans works: essays on all eight editions of "Leaves of Grass " major poems and poem clusters principal essays and prose works as well as his more than two dozen short stories and the novel Franklin Evans prominent themes and concepts: essays on such major topics as democracy slavery the Civil War immortality sexuality and the womens rights movement. significant forms and techniques: such as prosody symbolism free verse and humour important trends and critical approaches in Whitman studies: including new historicist and cultural criticism psychological explorations and controversial issues of sexual identity surveys of Whitmans international impact as well as an assessment of his literary legacy. Useful for students researchers librarians teachers and Whitman devotees this volume features extensive cross-references numerous photographs of the poet a chronology a special appendix section tracking the poets genealogy and a thorough index. Each entry includes a bibliography for further study.