Universalism and Individualism (Paperback)

Whitman's poetry is a perennial source for psychoanalytic interpretations. An in-depth critical analysis of his poems have established an eternal relationship between the field of Psychology and Literature.A careful reading of his poems forces the reader to transcend beyond the surface meaning of literary works and to enter the realm of the unconscious to enhance his/her deep and critical understanding of literary texts. Hence this book deals with the use of psychoanalytic study of Whitman's poems. It explores the concept of Universalism and Individualism that is embedded in a human being's psyche. Finally, it traces the growth of individualism and universalism as an integral phase of human life.To quote Whitman's own words-"One's Self I sing, a simple separate person, / Yet utter the word Democratic, the word En-Masse".These two lines establish Whitman's immutable faith in the key word to Peace and Success, "Democracy".