摘要

沃尔特•惠特曼是美国公认的民主诗人，对美国文化产生了重要的影响。而美国文化从各种渠道传播全世界，如快餐厅和电影，而美国文化到底是一种怎么样的文化却是值得研究的问题。如果要了解美国文化和美国文学，沃尔特•惠特曼和他的《草叶集》都是不可或缺的。
以往从他的诗对惠特曼的研究主要选择的是最具有代表性也最有名的几首，如长诗“Song of Myself”、“Democratic Vistas”、“Song of Answer”、“Crossing Brooklyn Ferry”、“Song of the Open Road”、“Song of the Body Electric”等，本文认为他的随行的短诗更能反映他的即兴想法，因此从他各个时期的几首短诗分析他的民主观。本文认为他的民主观，可以被看做是一种力量型民主，这种民主的核心在于变，在于对人的关注。此外，他的力量型民主观来源于他对生命的解析和对国家的热爱，民主、自由和平等是他民主观的基本观点。最后，他的民主观带有明显的理想主义色彩，是通向他的理想国的，不过他自己认为民主是一种生活方式，一种追求。

关键字：沃尔特•惠特曼，力量型民主，国家主义，个人主义

Abstract

Walt Whitman is called “democratic poet” in America, for his conception of democracy has a huge influence on American culture. Nowadays, American culture is widespread all over the world, even people in far-off corners of Africa know Macdonald and Hollywood films. But what is American culture? What is the essence of American culture? This is a topic worth discussing. And if one studies American literature or American culture, Walt Whitman and his Leaves of Grass can not be ignored.
Previous studies based on analysis of his poem mostly focus on long and famous poems, such as Song of Myself, Democartic Vistas, Song of Answer, Crossing Brooklyn Ferry, Song of the Open Road, and Song of the Body Electric, however few critics prefer his short poems. My personal view is that such short poems can reflect his thoughts better on the spur of his instincts. In this way, we can get that one interpretation of his democracy is Power Democracy, whose theme is to advocate the power to change, and pay more attention to individuality. Besides, with his background into consideration, his conception of democracy is characterized of nationality, which involves patriotism and deep thoughts over relations between government and individuals. He wanted to reach the “EIDOLONS” by freedom, democracy and equality, which was criticized at that time. He said democracy was a kind of life.

Key Words: Walt Whitman, Power Democracy, nationality, individuality

1    Introduction
I heard that you ask’d for something to prove this puzzle the New World
And to define America, her athletic Democracy,
Therefore   I send you my poems that you behold in them
What you wanted.
               ------Walt Whitman “TO FOREIG LANDS”