<p>In this study of Whitman, the emphasis has been on analysis instead of biography; text, rather than sources. For the single-theme-multiple-theme of Self, in its endless possibilities and unbounded diversity "Song of Myself" has been examined very closely. In order to establish the pervasiveness of the theme or themes in Leaves of Grass, "Crossing Brooklyn Ferry", "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking", and "Passage to India" have been analysed.</p> <p>I have attempted to show the uniqueness and the complexity of Whitman's mystical experience, which I call Integral, through structure, imagery and symbolism. And, since aesthetic evaluation cannot be wholly divorced from philosophical criticism, theories of perception, both Eastern and Western, have been cited to fix Whitman in the right perspective, and to point out the non-dual concept of the Self in the poetry of Whitman.</p> <p>While reading Whitman, I have been aware, as many other critical readers of the Leaves are, and I have used these, wherever necessary, for interpreting the poet in the light of Indian Thought. But, I have not been over-enthusiastic about the kinship, because Whitman evinces certain basic attitudes which are non-Vedantic.</p> <p>Perhaps this study would not have taken its present form had it not been for M.r Joseph Sigman's encouragement and sympathetic judgment of my interpretations. Mr. Sigman directed this thesis with as much sympathy as competence, and was of great help during the entire course of its development. To him I am especially grateful. I am grateful also to Mr. George McKnight for his many hours of patient reading of my manuscript, and for offering me much helpful criticism.</p> <p>Words cannot express my gratitude to Professor Frank Norman Shrive who initiated me into the study of American Literature, and who, first of all, encouraged and approved my plan to write on Walt Whitman. Professor Shrive has been a source of great inspiration to me, and I consider it my good fortune to have studied at his feet.</p> <p>I cannot end this preface without expressing my deep sense of indebtedness to Dr. Gordon Stewart Vichert who has always been very helpful and gracious to me.</p> <p>I should also acknowledge my general debt to students and scholars of Whitman for influencing me in the preparation of this thesis, while at the same time provoking me to differ with their approaches.</p> <p>Finaly, I wish to thank most profusely McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario for awarding me a Graduate Teaching Fellowship in 1965-1966, without which the present accomplishment would have been very difficult.</p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:mcmaster.ca/oai:macsphere.mcmaster.ca:11375/9671 |
| Date | 08 1900 |
| Creators | Kher, Nath Inder |
| Contributors | English |
| Source Sets | McMaster University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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