Final answer:
Walt Whitman's term "nation of nations" highlights America's diverse makeup and the importance of common people in defining the nation's character, aligning with the themes of inclusivity and democracy found throughout his poetry.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Walt Whitman refers to America as a "nation of nations" in the preface to Leaves of Grass, he is underscoring the country's diverse and democratic ethos. As a poet known for celebrating the common people and everyday life, Whitman saw America's true spirit not in its executives or officials but in its varied population.
The phrase captures the essence of the United States as a melting pot of cultures, ethnicities, and ideas—each contributing to the fabric of the nation. This perspective resonates with the concept of American exceptionalism and the transcendentalist notion of the individual's connection to a greater whole, a theme prevalent in Whitman's poetry, such as in Song of Myself.
By calling America a nation of nations, Whitman emphasizes the collective identity formed by the unique experiences and backgrounds of its people, which is a central theme in his work.