ENG 269 Classics of American Lit, 1820-1860 With Professor Michael D’Alessandro

Finally, we have arrived at my favorite American poet, Walt Whitman. After a semester navigating the pre-Civil War American literature, I have discovered new loves for Edgar Allen Poe, Washington Irving, Solomon Northup, Henry David Thoreau, and others. Professor D’Alessandro has taken us through works from the oft-read The Scarlet Letter to the more obscure Hobomok and “Hop-Frog.” Being well-informed on the social and political context of this time, Professor D’Alessandro has guided us through challenging and controversial texts, always offering a new light and a way to thematically connect to other works. So when I showed up for class on Wednesday morning, I thought I’d be ready to tackle Walt Whitman, having spent a semester studying him in another English class at Duke.

“Okay Jake, tell us about your guy, Walt Whitman. Who is he?”

Professor D’Alessandro turned immediately to me to introduce the poet. I was caught a little off guard. But immediately, I began talking. Just a week earlier, Professor D’Alessandro took us to see the Trent Collection of Whitman artifacts in Rubenstein Library. I touched a lock of Whitman’s hair; I got to study Whitman’s hand-edited copy of Song of Myself. Professor D’Alessandro knew how much I loved Whitman, and he knew how to invite me to share my love.

As we navigated Whitman’s “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry,” Professor D’Alessandro effortlessly engages each student in our small seminar, making each of us welcome to contribute. Whether it be a statement, comment, or a question, he makes each of us feel as if we’ve helped uncover a little bit more about the work. 

And then my classmate asked, “Why did he put this in parentheses?”

Professor D’Alessandro turned to me, the self-proclaimed expert. I noted that Whitman revised this poem, and this seems to be an addition he made, as the line structure on both sides of the addition seems to be congruous. But as to why he felt the need to add it, I jokingly added, “I spent six months studying Whitman with Professor Donahue. We concluded that Whitman isn't meant to give us all the answers.”

And there we went, back and forth around the table working through “Out of the Cradle Endlessly Rocking” and “As I Ebb’d with the Ocean of Life.” Professor D’Alessandro drives us to dig deeper with questions, and he begins the thread that ties each of them together. 

Each day we come into class, Professor D’Alessandro reveals to us how truly awesome each of these works is. If he knows we are interested in a certain one, he will open up the class for us to share our knowledge and excitement. I’ve never had a class where I’ve been so invested and excited about the reading, and I credit that to the professor and his ability to host every class like a small gathering of friends discussing books over dinner. Needless to say, as one of Professor D’Alessandro’s first students at Duke, I have already signed up to take another class that he is teaching next semester.