The Synthesis of Nineteenth Century Evolutionary Theories & Aesthetic Theories of Organic Expression in Leaves of Grass, First Edition

Leaves of Grass is a poetic synthesis of nineteenth century theories of evolution (cosmological, geological, and biological) and the conceptually related functionalist aesthetic theory form follows function . Like many of his contemporaries, Whitman was inspired by the evolutionary theories of scientists such as the biologist Lamarck, the astronomer Laplace, and the geologist Lyell; whether Whitman reasoned out the concept of organic expression through his knowledge of the theory of evolution, or whether he discovered organic expression via the works of the landscape architect Downing, the sculptor and design theorist Greenough, the art connoisseur Ward, their mutual friend Emerson, or some other theorist, the fact exists that Whitman is the first American poet to treat the subject in his poetry and prose. In his rhetoric inspired by the rhythms of Nature, as well as in his scientific content, Whitman promulges the nineteenth century evolutionary doctrine form follows function and presages twentieth century aesthetic theories of functionalism