American Literature CLEP Prep 2025 – 400 Free Practice Questions to Pass the Exam

Walt Whitman is most closely associated with Transcendentalism, a movement that emerged in the early to mid-19th century. Transcendentalism emphasizes the inherent goodness of people and nature, as well as the idea that individuals can transcend the limits of the physical world through intuition and personal spiritual experience. Whitman's poetry, particularly in his landmark work "Leaves of Grass," reflects these themes by celebrating individuality, nature, and democratic ideals.

His writing style is also indicative of the Transcendentalist emphasis on free expression and the connection between humanity and the universe. Whitman believed in the power of the self and the importance of experiencing life fully, which aligned with Transcendentalist principles. While Romanticism shares some overlapping ideas with Transcendentalism, particularly in its celebration of emotion and nature, Whitman’s work more directly embodies the core tenets of Transcendentalism, particularly through its idealistic view of human potential and the exploration of the self.

Realism, in contrast, focuses on depicting everyday life and ordinary people without idealization, and Modernism emphasizes innovation and a break from traditional forms following World War I. These movements do not capture the essence of Whitman's vision and stylist