How did Walt Whitman's rhetoric about the war differ from President Lioncoln's?

Answer 1

Walt Whitman's rhetoric about the Civil War emphasized the personal and emotional experiences of soldiers, celebrating their bravery and sacrifice in a democratic context. He often highlighted themes of unity and the collective human spirit, portraying the war as a transformative experience for the nation. In contrast, President Lincoln's rhetoric was more focused on the political and moral imperatives of preserving the Union and ending slavery, emphasizing the necessity of the conflict and its implications for national identity. While both sought to inspire and unite, Whitman's approach was more individualistic and poetic, whereas Lincoln's was pragmatic and authoritative.