Part of the reason comes from its contextual association with a crucial movement in 19th century literary history: transcendentalism.
This was a period of renaissance for many American writers, in which they explored themes of the newly liberated republic – social justice, spiritual progress, and celebration of self.
Leaves of Grass is a part of a national legacy, one with political and social ramifications.
This lends the text authority.
It also deliberates the primary audience of Leaves of Grass; this text is likely to have more significance for American audiences, whose heritage it belongs to.
