Walt Whitman had a style that was incredibly unique. He writes about many topics, but the biggest thing that draws them together is American life. A person that is living today that is similar to him is Tim O'Brien. Tim O'Brien's writings have helped Americans become more aware of their nation and lets them take a close view at what is going on. They both love their country, although O'Brien is much more critical of it than Whitman.
Although they do not share really any physical traits, these two writers have a similar spirit and love for writing. They also rely heavily on imagery in their works to draw the reader deeper into the writing.
O'Brien's story, "The Things They Carried," contains many examples of imagery. One in example is, "It was a simple pebble, an ounce at most. Smooth to the touch, it was milky-white color with flecks of orange and violet, oval-shaped, like a miniature egg." He is very well capable of painting a picture with his words, taking a simple pebble into something much more than than.
Whitman is a master of imagery as well. He uses it in a majority of his works, and that is one of the things that keeps them accessible to people. He is known for writing long, flowing poems, but his short writings also contain some of the most effective imagery. With that statement, I will present you with Walt Whitman's poem, "A Farm Picture."
A Farm Picture
Through the ample open door of the peaceful country barn,
A sunlit pasture field with cattle and horses feeding,
And a haze and vista, and the far horizon fading away.
This is a short, sweet poem, but it accomplishes the goal of creating a believable image in the reader's mind that is created quickly and then can be reflected upon. Many successful writers will use this technique to draw their readers into their works.
Both O'Brien and Whitman use similar literary techniques, but that is not the reason that O'Brien has the same kind of "soul" as Whitman. The main reason that he is, would be because he too writes things that are incredibly personal and meaningful and passes it onto the reader to experience further. Both writers rely on the emotions of their readers to help them understand the most important things that are being written.