The Wit of Walt Withstanding the Test of Time

Walt's words inspired a beer! His description of a Philadelphia sunset inspired a Philadelphia Brewing Company to craft their own beer in a taste similar to what the words are describing.

"...a broad tumble of clouds, with much golden haze and profusion of beaming shaft and dazzle"

 In one review, a person describes the beer as "Spicier, the ale brings quite a bit to the table." 


It seems as though the brewing company captured Walt well in this beer, representing his multi-faceted nature and desire to appreciate all aspects of the world and the people and things that inhabit it. I think Walt would appreciate this certain influence he had as well for he meant his appreciative nature to transcend into mass culture. What better way to do that than in beer form? In today's culture, beer is a symbol of unity. It brings people together! 

Beer Review 1

Beer Review 2

Walt's image and words is rumored to have inspired the Bram Stoker's [1897] infamous character, Dracula. Stoker believed Whitman to be a "father, brother, and wife to his soul"which the vampire captures well within its character. Not only does his image relate, the "long, white hair,  heavy moustache, great weight and strength..." his poetry explores the intermixings of death and love that Dracula embodies as well. Song of Myself absolutely comes to mind for Whitman as the narrator lives on forever, enticing the reader to join him in this immortal death. And what do vampires do? The same thing! Whoa! It all makes so much sense.

Looks Pretty Similar To ME!

Dracula!

Walt Whitman has also made his way into British Film! The poem "Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking" makes its way into the 2001 movie L.I.E. when the protagonist Howie, a 15 year boy who has 'lost everything' and is in the process of 'finding himself' quotes a few lines. I have not seen the movie, but it seems as though the lines represent the current state of the boy, losing his innocence associated with growing away from childhood, especially in the line "Never again leave me to be the peaceful child I was before what there, in the night..." Once again, Whitman's lines are able to capture a common American life, and represent a coming of age process for this boy... withstanding the test of time in that his words still associate with the common process or life of the American.

The scene in which Howie recites Whitman

L.I.E. Synopsis