The influence of Walt Whitman's nation-building poetics on Kahlil Gibran : a comparative study

Abstract EN

The following research is a comparative study of the influence of Walt Whitman on the Lebanese-American poet Gibran Kahlil Gibran.

When Gibran came across the works of Walt Whitman, he found in Whitman's nation-building poetics an inspiration to reform Arabic poetry and society.

Therefore, he emulated Walt Whitman's suggestive style and thematic emphasis on social and political reform.

The resemblances between both poets stem from their personal involvement in building their societies and from the belief of a poet's dedication to national aspirations.

They also believed that a necessary step begins by attempting to reform poetry itself.

As to the differences between them, they are mainly attributed to the sense of urgency of reform which Gibran felt is necessary for the Arab world that was under a foreign rule.

Gibran in his poems wanted to show his fellow countrymen that liberation should come from their inner strength.

In conclusion, Gibran stands out as a unique writer of that period and appears more committed than any Arab American writer to problems in the Arab world.