The Problem with Walt Whitman

In today’s “On the Square” article. R. R. Reno reflects on Walt Whitman and the World at Our Disposal . He argues that despite appearances (that “I celebrate myself” business),

Whitman’s hymns to the self do not reflect an inwardly turned selfishness. On the contrary, as he recognized, a democratic culture requires a self-enlarging sensibility. A society of peons cannot rule itself. Thus the assertive moment: My voice should be heard! My vote counts!

The problem, he goes on to argue, lies elsewhere.