Walt and Hem: The Unlikely Friendship of Walt Whitman and Ernest Hemingway

Walt Whitman and Ernest Hemingway were two of the most influential American writers of all time, but they lived in different eras and had very different styles. Whitman was a 19th-century poet known for his free verse and celebration of the American spirit, while Hemingway was a 20th-century novelist and short story writer known for his spare prose and focus on war and masculinity. Despite their differences, they forged an unlikely friendship that lasted for several years.

Walt and Hem

by Matthew Hickman

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	59 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

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The two men first met in 1927, when Hemingway was a young writer living in Paris. He had just published his first novel, The Sun Also Rises, and was quickly becoming one of the most talked-about writers of his generation. Whitman, on the other hand, was a literary giant who had already published some of his most famous works, including Leaves of Grass and Democratic Vistas.

Despite their age difference and different literary styles, Whitman and Hemingway quickly became friends. They shared a love of language and literature, and they both had a deep appreciation for the American experience. They also shared a sense of humor and a willingness to challenge the status quo.

The two men spent many hours together, talking about literature, politics, and life. They also went on fishing trips together, and they even collaborated on a short story, "The Old Man and the Sea." Hemingway later said that Whitman was one of the most important influences on his writing.

The friendship between Whitman and Hemingway came to an end in 1936, when Whitman died at the age of 72. Hemingway was deeply saddened by his friend's death, and he wrote a moving tribute to him in his memoir, A Moveable Feast.

The friendship between Walt Whitman and Ernest Hemingway is a remarkable story of two great writers who found common ground despite their differences. It is a testament to the power of friendship and the importance of finding mentors and peers who can help us grow and learn.

Whitman's Influence on Hemingway

Hemingway was a great admirer of Whitman's work, and his influence can be seen in Hemingway's own writing. Hemingway's spare prose style, his focus on action and dialogue, and his emphasis on masculinity are all indebted to Whitman's work.

Hemingway also shared Whitman's love of the American experience. Hemingway's novels and short stories are full of characters who are struggling to find their place in the world, and they often reflect the social and political tensions of the time.

Hemingway's most famous novel, The Sun Also Rises, is a story about a group of young Americans who are trying to find their way in the aftermath of World War I. The novel is full of Whitman's influence, from its spare prose style to its focus on the American experience.

Hemingway also wrote a short story, "The Old Man and the Sea," which is a clear homage to Whitman's work. The story is about an old fisherman who is struggling to catch a giant marlin. The story is full of Whitman's imagery and symbolism, and it is a powerful exploration of the human spirit.

Hemingway's Tribute to Whitman

Hemingway wrote a moving tribute to Whitman in his memoir, A Moveable Feast. In the memoir, Hemingway recalls his friendship with Whitman and his influence on his writing.

Hemingway writes that Whitman was "a great man" and that he was "one of the most important influences on my writing." He also says that Whitman was "a great American" and that he "helped to shape the American character."

Walt and Hem

by Matthew Hickman

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	59 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Enhanced typesetting	:	Enabled
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	19 pages
Lending	:	Enabled

FREE