CRNJANSKI – FREILIGRATH – WHITMAN: CONNECTIONS AND INFLUENCES

Abstract

This paper seeks to shed light on Ferdinand Freiligrath`s and Walt Whitman`s impact upon Miloš Crnjanski`s early political and poetological reflections. It is interesting that the Serbian poet and writer, who rarely and reluctantly spoke about his literary role models, mentions the German poet Ferdinand Freiligrath twice in his autobiographical work Ithaca and Comments, claiming he identified with him during his youth. Although obvious connections can be found in political ideas and revolutionary aspirations shared by the two poets, Freiligrath's significance seems to lie in the fact that he introduced Walt Whitman to the German literary audience and thus undoubtedly influenced the development of modern poetry.