Final answer:
Whitman's poems 'I Hear America Singing' and 'O Captain! My Captain!' demonstrate the basic premise of transcendentalism, celebrating the individual and the connection between the individual and nature. This premise is still relevant in modern literature, with authors exploring themes of individuality, connection to nature, and the power of leadership.
Step-by-step explanation:
Whitman's poems “I Hear America Singing” and “O Captain! My Captain!” demonstrate a basic premise of transcendentalism which is the celebration of the individual and the connection between the individual and the natural world. In “I Hear America Singing,” Whitman celebrates the diverse voices and contributions of American workers, highlighting their individuality and the harmony they create together. In “O Captain! My Captain!,” Whitman mourns the death of Abraham Lincoln, celebrating the president's leadership and the impact he had on the nation.
This premise of transcendentalism is still relevant in today's modern literature. Modern authors often explore themes of individuality, connection to nature, and the power of leadership in their works. For example, in J.D. Salinger's “The Catcher in the Rye,” the main character Holden Caulfield grapples with his own identity and connection to the world, echoing the transcendentalist belief in the importance of the individual. Additionally, contemporary writers like Toni Morrison and Louise Erdrich often incorporate elements of nature and explore the relationship between humans and the natural world in their works.