Whitman, Walt Whitman

Whitman's Notebook 
I could make out about every 3rd word. I also think the first page is like a contact book with addresses. He clearly wrote ideas about what to write including plot ideas and themes such as "two characters as of a dialogue between A. Lincoln (?) and W. Whitman (?)" with the theme of "lessons for a president elect". Other words that I could make out include "philosophy", "shall", "crash".... I think it is interesting that there is a stamp in his notebook. I think that his notebook and my dad's look similar, both are difficult to read and hard to follow but completely understandable to the writer of them. Um wow the drawings are awesome. I really like the hats clearly channeling Mr. Abe. And then maybe a harp. And the creepy skeleton one. I think that it is significant that instead of some authors who just randomly start writing it seems like he planned everything out a bit. I wonder if these notes he wrote late at night like I do. I have a notepad by my bed and I jot down the things I remember or think about as I am about to fall asleep. His writing it certainly messy enough (no hate). I think something else significant is that he crossed things out as his ideas for poems morphed and changed.

Whitman's Notebook 2.0 
Wow! These notes are really helpful! I was write about the contact info but it is quite sad that the contact info he wrote was for one of his friends who soon died. I think it is signifiant that instead of tearing that page out or scribbling out his friends info which would remind Whitman of his loss. Maybe he kept it so that he could have a reminder of his friend. I like to think that, this is the reason, and that Whitman was a sentimental guy. Yay thank you smart people for explaining the stamp. Whitman didn't like the disunity of his country. I agree that his tone changes not only in his poems but also in his notebook. He uses a lot of imagery specifically regarding color like black. Finally, I agree that the last page is the most mysterious because not only is the drawing hard to understand (is it a rising or setting sun) and then also what the drawing represents. It is relevant that some of his work is not understandable as he wrote it for himself and not him.