Eyes of the Beholders

Let's face it, reading is a very subjective art. An author can have an intention, and that's all fine and dandy. But when it comes down to it, it the the realization (or ignorance) or that intention by the reader that the work is judged by.

The first review I looked at was an anonymous review called "A Curious Title" that appeared in Life Illustrated in July 1855. This was a pretty straightforward review, outlining the format of the book itself. However what I found interesting was the comments on who they felt would be interested in Whitman's work. According to the reviewer, "respectable people would pronounce perfect nonsense", while "free-souled persons" would enjoy the book very much. I'm not saying these comments aren't true, but it's interesting that there is an entire class of people that this commenter says would not find meaning in Whitman's work. Obviously nothing can speak to everyone, but still. It's a very broad statement.

My next review was also anonymous, this time published in The Albion, A Journal of News, Politics and Literature under the title "A Pleasant Quiz". The review was short, but it was the final statement that stuck with me: "its main fault in a literary point of view—that it suggests the notice of a man reviewing his own work—is not of much importance". They fault Whitman for, essentially, writing about his own work. It's interesting that this was considered a fault, when many now find it a captivating subject. 

Finally, one last anonymous (from The Merchant's Magazine and Commercial Review). This was one of my favorite reviews if only because of their acknowledgement of Whitman himself being a remarkable aspect of the book. I also agreed with their views on how the work could be viewed as a whole, or broken down into smaller works of art.

There is a lot to look at when reading poetry, especially if your intention is to judge it and decide it's worth to others. Each review was different, and found different flaws and favors within Leaves of Grass, but none of them were wrong. Because it is individual experience that makes writing poetry; and that is unique for everyone.