Watch the following advertisements using Walt Whitman's words (one, at least, his actual voice) and relate the advertisements back to his poetry and other writings. Do you think Whitman would approve of the advertisements? Why or why not? Do you approve of the advertisers using Whitman's poetry in their ads? Why or why not? Whitman's writing is so old—So, why are these corporations, who are certainly marketing to your generation, using Whitman? What does this say about Whitman and his writing? Please use at least one direct quotation from your readings in your response. Your post should be 6-10 sentences long and should agree or disagree with an earlier post from one of your peers.
In Whitman's poem "Mannahatta," he talks a lot about the city, and the things he loves about it. What I take from his writing also is the fact that he loves the advancing in all things as the mechanics, and the people with great manners, and all sorts of things. I think Whitman would approve of these adds because these companies are stressing moving forward in whatever subject matter they are selling to you. I do approve of these companies using Whitman's poetry because I think it was very smart of them to do so. They were smart use his poetry because his poetry catches your eye, and makes you pay attention to whatever they are selling. When advertisers use Whitman's writing it just shows all people that his writing is revolutionary, and will always be good because it applies to all time periods, which is incredible and not usual. Only very good writers can do what Whitman has done with his writing and it is incredible to see that it still live over 100 years later.
ReplyDeleteMuch of what Whitman wrote about was the beauty of the world around him like in Mannahatta and city of ships. I think he wouldn't be against any of the commercials because they all agree with much of what he says. This being said I think one would stick out more than the rest to him. The one he would like the most would be the iPad Air commercial. This is because much of it is about nature and the beauty in the world which again is largely what Whitman writes about.
ReplyDeleteIn Whitman‘s Mannahatta, he wrote so many things about the world around him is really beautiful and wonderful. In his city of ships, he praise the ship and he is really proud of it. He praise the things around him nearly in all of his articles. As the result, he would approve these advertisement because all of these ads were agree what he said and their topic was fit his idea. Although his writing was really old, but the main ideas was pretty positive and optimistic. What he said is fit the original intention of those big companies.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Walt Whitman mostly writes about the beauty of the world, but I also disagree because he also writes about the ugliness of it. In the poem ““City of Ships” from Drum-Taps” he first talks about the beauty of the “City of Ships.” But he then goes on to say, “I chant and celebrate all that is yours—yet peace no more;/In peace I chanted peace, but now the drum of war is mine;/ War, red war is my song through your streets, O city!” At the end of the poem he talks about how there is no longer peace and how he wants war. I agree with Hayden when he said that Walt would like the iPad Air commercial better, because it’s selling something that will improve creativity and capturing beauty etc, but I don’t think he would approve of the Levi’s commercial. I think he likes the idea, but he was talking about something deeper than a pair of jeans. However, the companies were smart to use Walt Whitman’s poetry because like Caleb said, “it catches your eye,” and it makes the product seem more meaningful. The corporations used Whitman’s writing because even though it was written long ago it can be read as a metaphor for things that are relevant today.
ReplyDeleteWhitman's writing was a creative and influential outlook on the world. Nature and its beauty, and the "wonderfulness". because of his positive outlook on life and nature he would approve upon the three commercials. Even though the writings are old they are relatable to people back in that time period and also people from the 21st century. The writing is old but it is also relevant. Hayden has brought up a good point about the iPad commercial. It being about the nature and beauty.
ReplyDeleteThe advertisements and Whitman's writings both seemed to talk of something greater for example, in "Mannahatta" Whitman writes "The beautiful city, the city of hurried and sparkling waters! the city of spire and masts!". This is Whitman describing this city that seems to be perfect and that he wants to be there. I think that Whitman would approve of the advertisements because in his writings he seems to be all about a better world. I approve of the advertisements using Whitman because they seem to fit within the advertisements topics. The advertisers are using Whitman's words because it makes them seem older, smarter, and wiser. This shows how Whitman's writings are very influential.
ReplyDeleteI really think whitman would approve of these adds very much. This would be because he is all about advancement. All these adds show that the new iPad air and its new capabilities. Also the Levis and how they are versatile and strong. They are using whitman because he was a very advanced man for his time with very great ideas in marketing and selling a product. Whitman's writing is very modern for the time he was writing in. He had very good ideas and people capitalized upon them know by copying his style.
ReplyDeleteWhite an would definitely approve of these adds. I think he would because he likes advancing in technology/machinery. All of these adds are showing that something is improving. I do approve of them using his poetry because he would most likely like what they are advertising. If he approved of their advertising then it doesn't matter that they use his poetry. I think that they are using his words because, even though it is old, it still makes sense and it supports what they are trying to sell to us. This says a lot about Whitemans writings. It says that his writting was so good that people are still able to find ways to use many years later.
ReplyDeleteI think by using Whitman's writings in their commercials, what it portrays is that Whitman's writing actually seemed very modernized at the time. Almost as though he was from our time period. Another reason I think he was so successful as a writer was because he wrote about people from his time period but wrote about them like it was our time period which gave him a good combination and gave the readers what they wanted to read. A quote to support my belief in his modernized writing comes from "Mannahatta", "The beautiful city, the city of hurried and sparkling waters! The city of spires and masts". This quote resembles modern day Manhattan in many ways, and he describes it as though it is a city from the future. My answer to the overall question is yes, I do approve of these commercials because they use his quotes in good context and emphasize the modernization of his writings.
ReplyDeleteI thought it was unique how they used walt Whitmans writing there commercial. Also how they used his writing in a modern language. I also enjoyed the way he would write about people from his own time period and would switch it up that kept it interesting. I really go on to like his quotes
ReplyDeleteIn the poem ““City of Ships” from Drum-Taps” he first talks about the beauty of the “City of Ships.” But he then goes on to say, “I chant and celebrate all that is yours—yet peace no more In peace I chanted peace, but now the drum of war is mine;/ War, red war is my song through your streets, O city!” At the end of the poem he talks about how there is no longer peace and how he wants war. I find this interesting because of his point of views on the subject. All In all I really enjoy his commercials because of his modernized way of writing and his intense quoting.
From the Newspaper articles to the poems and letters I read tonight, I see Walt Whitman as a very visual, and positive man. He notices the unnoticed, and embraces the beauty of nature and experience. There is nothing special about what he writes about- what is special is that they are always the unrecognized that he notices. He writes "There is nothing special with me to write to you about," yet his continues on to talk about his daily experience; the sights, the people- everything. For this reason, I believe Walt Whitman would approve of these commercials. They make good, visual use of his voice and words, and are interesting to watch. The visual goes well with the voice- especially the iPas commercial. "The human race is filled with passion," and the video shows all of these forms of work, fun, and art in which the iPad captures. Whitman also mentions a lot about poetry, and in the video there is a lot of nature and experience taking place. This to me shows that poetry is shown throughout these actions and adventures and that every moment, every detail, must be observed.
ReplyDeleteBased off of everything i have read of Whitmans I do in fact believe he would approve of these advertisements. Whitman in most of his writings just paints a picture in my head of the world and most of the time it's beauty. When they use his poetry I think he would also approve of that as well. I say this because he had such a way of going into great detail about things in this beautiful earth that the only way would be to use his pieces. The major companies use his writing because it's the best thing they can use to describe their product and it's relation to the beauty to the world. It says that Whitman had very advanced writing for his time.
ReplyDeleteWhitman's poems focus on many things that many people just wouldn't notice. They are things that people see every day but people don't realize what they are seeing. in that case a visual can be a big help for people to see the full spectrum of what Whitman was trying to portray in his poem. I think the i-Pad Air commercial does this the best out of the three. I think this because the Levi commercials seemed kind of dark with the black and white coloring. It seemed like it was always night. His poems are brighter than that so the black and white picture just doesn't fit.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Caleb. Whitman would be pretty stoked to have his works being used like that. I, on the other hand, do not like the way they used his work. It feels very manipulative. The companies had a good idea to use his works, but I feel like they are just trying too hard to sound wise. But it was a good way. That also means that Whitman had good work if it is still relevent today.
ReplyDeleteI think that Whitman would approve of these advertisements, but then again I can't think of someone who would wouldn't approve of publicity through globally viewed commercials. Another thing that assures me Walt Whitman would approve of his poems being publicised is because it is in a progressive manner.
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ReplyDeleteI agreed with Scott that Whitman's poems focus on things people just wouldnt notice. It is things that get down to the very nitty gritty and seem to change your overall view on something. The Ipad air commercial does a remarkable job on betraying it's main point, on being able to do everything while being alone. You may not notice it but every scene of the commercial is with the Ipad user being alone, tryingto make the brain think oh I can survive alone if I have the ipad, the ultimate persuasion technique.
ReplyDeleteIn the Levi’s commercial Whitman’s voice is used. It’s the only recording we have of him. In the ad Whitman embodies redemption, strength and moving on. Whitman would be all for this ad. It gives, emotion, portrayed the working class as heroes, and told them not to give up. It also instilled an artistic value The only uneasy part of this ad would be that it’s manipulating the middle class into buying a product to making the wealthy class, wealthier. My answer to the overall question is yes, I think Whitman would approve of these commercials because they use his quotes in good context and emphasize the modernization of his writings plus they portray the working class in a positive light.
ReplyDeleteI think it was very strategic to use Walt’s writing in american commercials. Him being a huge figure in american journalism. I do think however that the Levis commercial is too dark for a commercial promoting america. although it is symbolizing the depression it is too depressing. Overall they are good and the apple commercial is inspiring. Walt whitman was a weird man.
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