The Ego-Function of Rhetoric in Leaves of Grass
Document Type
Oral Presentation
Campus where you would like to present
SURC Room 135
Start Date
15-5-2014
End Date
15-5-2014
Keywords
Rhetoric, Whitman, Ego
Abstract
This project presents rhetorical analysis of the function of egotism within Leaves of Grass. There’s a common approach that takes for granted the idea that egotism in Leaves is unavoidably reflective of Walt Whitman’s character—critical discussion, as a result, is often mired by attempts to present egotism as a strength or weakness of the author rather than a feature of the text. By utilizing the rhetorical studies concept of ego-function, this project proposes a conceptual framework that allows for a non-biographical analysis of egotism in Whitman's work. The ego-function of rhetoric is particularly suitable for this task because it identifies the process through which a speaker and listener establish selfhood through verbalized expression. Taken further, the ego-function of rhetoric is useful for examining the language of a social movement and the ways in which a speaker fosters large-scale unification through the shared affirmation of personhood. In other words, egotism comes forward as a crucial component in the persuasive success of poems like "Song of Myself" and "Kosmos." Ultimately I suggest that in order for Whitman's critics to better understand the enduring success of Leaves of Grass, it's imperative that we reposition egotism as a feature of the text and not its author.
Recommended Citation
Rampa, Peter, "The Ego-Function of Rhetoric in Leaves of Grass" (2014). Symposium Of University Research and Creative Expression (SOURCE). 57.
https://digitalcommons.cwu.edu/source/2014/oralpresentations/57
Additional Mentoring Department
English
The Ego-Function of Rhetoric in Leaves of Grass
SURC Room 135
This project presents rhetorical analysis of the function of egotism within Leaves of Grass. There’s a common approach that takes for granted the idea that egotism in Leaves is unavoidably reflective of Walt Whitman’s character—critical discussion, as a result, is often mired by attempts to present egotism as a strength or weakness of the author rather than a feature of the text. By utilizing the rhetorical studies concept of ego-function, this project proposes a conceptual framework that allows for a non-biographical analysis of egotism in Whitman's work. The ego-function of rhetoric is particularly suitable for this task because it identifies the process through which a speaker and listener establish selfhood through verbalized expression. Taken further, the ego-function of rhetoric is useful for examining the language of a social movement and the ways in which a speaker fosters large-scale unification through the shared affirmation of personhood. In other words, egotism comes forward as a crucial component in the persuasive success of poems like "Song of Myself" and "Kosmos." Ultimately I suggest that in order for Whitman's critics to better understand the enduring success of Leaves of Grass, it's imperative that we reposition egotism as a feature of the text and not its author.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Olson, Steve