| Walt Whitman was one of the most significant American poets of the 19th century and influenced many poets who came after him,including Allen Ginsberg,who was one of the most controversial American poets of the 20th century.Existing studies on these two poets have aligned them in various ways,including the epic tradition,themes of sexuality,and their counter-culture spirit;however,their connection from the perspective of poetics has seldom been investigated.Therefore,this study attempts to explore their poetics from the perspective of a comparative study.The thesis first explores the democratic spirit in the poems of Whitman and Ginsberg.It examines what Whitman and Ginsberg mean by democracy in society and literature,and how their democratic spirit is embodied in their poetic themes and language.The thesis then discusses the prophetic features of Whitman's and Ginsberg's poems.It examines their definition of“prophecy”and identity as prophets.It looks for aspects of their poetic function and form that prompted such prophecy.Next,the thesis analyzes Whitman's and Ginsberg's spontaneous writing.It also discusses what the poets meant by“spontaneous writing”and how it appears in their work,and their similar approach to spontaneous writing.Closely associated with the principle of spontaneity is the concept of organic growth.The thesis conducts a detailed examination of the organic principle of Whitman's and Ginsberg's poems,what they mean by it and how it is manifested in their work by seeking examples in their poetry.Based on close reading of their poems and comparative study,this thesis affirms the similarities of Whitman and Ginsberg on poetics,and confirms Ginsberg's inheritance and innovations from Whitman,noting that Ginsberg built on this inheritance,rather than merely imitating Whitman's forms.Through their poetic practices,Whitman and Ginsberg constantly practice and perfect their poetic ideas,bringing innovation to the construction of poetic themes,structures,and forms. |
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