Both Whitman … Almost single handedly, he invented free verse, the poetry of no rhythm and rhyme that had dominated the last century. Vol. Your email address will not be published. In “Song of Myself”, Whitman uses the scientific principle of Thermodynamics to assert that there is life after death, because energy cannot be destroyed; only transformed. He worked many jobs throughout his life, including working for many magazines and printers. According to Harding, while Thoreau and Whitman differ in their views… Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson both have been hailed as original and unique artists. Dickinson also uses nature imagery in some of her poems: “These are the days when skies resume / The old – old sophistries of June - / A blue and gold mistake,” (83). Both Whitman and Dickinson use nature as a metaphor for human life. Emily Dickinson And Walt Whitman Analysis 763 Words | 4 Pages. Print. They each have distinctive voices that many have attempted to replicate and have been unable to do so. 3. Walt Whitman seems carefree and easy going, both in his life and his poems. Dickinson and Whitman both uniquely and potently changed the definition of the word “poetry” and their work has profoundly impacted modern poetry. New York: Norton, 2012. She was sent to a religious boarding school, which she did not complete because she told her teachers that she had “no hope” (Baym 80). However, she did have a few friends and possibly some love interests, which may have inspired some of her love poems (Baym 81). Nina Baym. Edgar Allan Poe and Emily Dickinson, Compare and Contrast Emily Elizabeth Dickinson and Edgar Allan Poe are two of the biggest poets In American Literature from the 1 sass. She was born into an upper-class Calvinist family, which meant that she never had to work (Baym 80). Now I can see the difference between those 3 poets. Emily Dickinson was a brilliant writer and is often considered the "mother" of poetry. Alike, they often touch on similar themes of death, like Whitman's "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" and Dickinson's poem number 479, "Because I could not stop for Death", or religion and faith like Whitman's "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer" and Dickinson's poem number 202, "Faith". He developed his own rhythmic structure, creating complex lines and stanzas. Start studying Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman. Compared to Dickinson’s short and seemingly simple poems, Whitman’s are long and often complex. This allowed the two poets to push through the standard mold of poems to invent their own styles. A. And an orchard for a dome (Emily Dickinson) Print. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson both have been hailed as original and unique artists. Both are fascinating pioneers of poetic language and form no doubt, the former all title and glory, the latter untitled and secretive? In fact, very few of her poems were published until after her death. Additionally, both poets submitted some of their pieces to politically-based works. Similar to Walt Whitman, Dickinson often strayed from commonplace by breaking previous set rules of poetry such as rhythm and meter. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson’s works have numerous differences. Print. This would have been a fairly scandalous idea for the devoutly religious, even though the poem is presented in a simple, almost sing-song fashion that is enhanced by her ABCB rhyme scheme, which is consistent throughout all of her works. Good luck with Leaves of Grass! Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson are often considered the two most representative and influential American poets, and yet they are, in many respects, very different. Dickinson, Emily. Yet many poems seem quite sure that He does indeed exist. Similarities of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. One of the hallmark differences between them is in the length of lines they use in their poems. Some keep the Sabbath going to church. He picks her up in a “Carriage held but just for Ourselves-/ And Immortality”. Unlike Whitman, Dickinson did not seek fame during her life. Whitman uses extensive nature imagery throughout his works, such as in Song of Myself: “The sniff of green leaves and dry leaves, and of the shore and dark-color’d sea-rocks, and of hay in the barn,” (24). Whitman’s progressive, liberal nature is seen in his work, through both the style and content. While Whitman’s flowing, carefree, hippie-like poems seem very different from Dickinson’s rigid and sometimes ambiguous work, both poets have two very important things in common. Print. Whitman wrote extensively about nature and the average man. × four = 24. Baym, Nina, gen. ed. Both Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson were influenced by the Romantics. In conclusion great minds do not think alike they think for themselves. In stanza six, he writes “And what do you think has become of the women and children?/ They are alive and well somewhere,/ The smallest sprouts shows there is really no death”. New York: Norton, 2012. Dickinson, on the other hand, is the mother of American free verse, as Dickinson is the father, but that is where their similarities end. Both poets will be remembered as innovators who changed the landscape of American poetry by thinking outside of the box. And Whitman liked calling himself Walt Whitman. These two authors are among the first that come to mind when I think of poetry, and I think it's incredible how their incredibly different styles can speak to people all the same. Angers the speaker of the poem brings with it vibrant activity and vitality hides the world and slows life down to a stop comes and goes without being noticed 8..Some of the greatest American writers of the nineteenth century wrote about a theme of the individual Transcendentalism Based on … She personifies death, generally seeing as a lord or as a compelling lover. Both poets reflect their own unique qualities through choice of style, form, and language, as they discuss their feelings of sexual dissatisfaction and longing. Yet both twentieth century writers share several similarities when delved into thoroughly. This can be seen in Whitman’s epic A Song of Myself, which employs the use of free verse; a form not constricted by regular rhyme or meter. This, however, is where the similarities between the two run short, as they are more opposite than they are alike. She describes the experience as conflicted as she strives to define that moment with vivid images and sounds. In stanza three, he directly associates himself with Jesus Christ by writing “I am with you”, an echo from the Bible. Overall, Whitman can be seen as a bohemian who wanted to join the artists whom he admired, most notably Emerson, in literary fame. She was very well read; in fact, influences from Charles Dickens, the Bronte sisters, Elizabeth Browning, and even the Bible can be seen in her works (Baym 80). Although they are both notably popular and universal, they were also completely opposite. Write an essay that compares and contrasts a Whitman poem with a Dickinson poem. Dickinson too is special. 1. Like Whitman, Emily feels the need to challenge the role of religion, yet both ultimately are incapable of tossing old beliefs entirely. Nina Baym. With a bobolink for a choirister. In contrast, Dickinson's poetry is … Natural themes are prevalent in both their poetry, and both use the animals and … A. Compared to Dickinson’s short and seemingly simple poems, Whitman’s are long and often complex. Whitman and Dickinson Dickinson and Whitman: The Greater and the Lesser Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson are two very different 19th century American poets. Walt Whitman's poetry expresses an enlarged vision that encompasses the universe in a broad way, in expansive outward gestures and long poems. For this reason I choose a passage from her writing to start this paper. Walt had tendencies to mainly use free-verse. Whitman refers to his impending death in the final stanza of “Song of Myself”. They also seem very personal, as if Whitman is telling you everything he has ever thought within his poems. If Emily Dickinson is one of America’s great poets, she has to share the spotlight with Walt Whitman. Vol. Many of her other poems are about the moment of death, and what happens when the living cross over into the dead. Dickinson and Walt Whitman who became two of Americas most popular poets. Religion was scrutinized, and often considered outdated and irrelevant. Dickinson and Whitman Research Paper Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson are plausibly two of the most hefty people in American poesy. Choose one of the two poets. Rather than throwing away all poetic structure, she added her own stylistic touch – most notably, dashes and capitalization. Emily Dickinson is a more private poet. 8th ed. Similarities of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, A Quick and Dirty Guide to Movie Theater Etiquette, Female Virginity Tests in Muslim Turkey, a Varied Perspective, Israel Had No Choice but to Go to War with Hezbollah, Just a Contractor – the Temporary Dilemma, MD-Sen: Michael Steele Runs Away from the GOP. Whitman’s style of free verse become synonymous with his name and works, and helped distinguish him as a great American poet. Nina Baym. In one of her more popular poems, “Because I could not stop for Death”, death is like a kindly courter. Whitman’s view on death is reflective of his belief in Transcendentalism. Her fixation on death is a fundamental part of her religious beliefs, and many of her poems focus on her anxiety over her Elect status. During his life, Whitman wanted badly to become famous for his writing. Emily Dickinson’s philosophy on death was much more traditional, yet she too constantly questioned the Calvinistic beliefs she had grown up with. Dickinson’s works are just as unique, due mainly to her odd placement of punctuation, unusual grammar, and simplicity of language. Yet, even when they lived during the same era, the natures, as well as the looks of their poems are very much different. Both utilize unique and unexpected techniques and elements of poetry. Yet both twentieth century writers share several similarities when delved into thoroughly. Whitman and Dickinson aren't really "modern" in the sense they're more than a hundred years old, but they do both break from formal traditions that came before. "479.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature.. Gen. ed. New York: Norton, 2012. Whitman’s legacy is large, containing the likes of Langston Hughes and Allen Ginsberg. As a result, they both experiment with the overall presentation of a poem. Dickinson lived with her parents for her whole life and did not leave the house much, leading to tales of her being a recluse. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Dickinson answered Emerson’s call in a way that some would argue is even more creative than Whitman’s style. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson are universally regarded by scholars and readers alike as the greatest poets of the nineteenth-century United States. However, within these poems, she covers serious topics and often surprises the reader with her treatment of a topic or the conclusion she draws from it. Whitman does not hold back – in fact, his poems are sometimes too revealing, which garnered criticism, especially when the topic involved sex or the human body (Baym 22). 8th ed. 8th ed. Both poets are considered original and unique artists, creating their own style of writing. Throughout their extensive collection of poetry, we can see both a lot of similarities and differences between poets Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. However, he does play with other poetic devices, such as repetition, alliteration, and stanza breaks, that give his poems life. A. Dickinson’s reserved personality translated over into her writing. Whitman’s poetry about death is reflective of his belief in Transcendentalism while Dickenson’s poetry is more complex and paradoxical by personifying death. The poets come from opposite backgrounds, and while they do write from some shared inspiration sources, they do so in distinctive ways. While both are famous trailblazers the two are vastly different. Compare And Contrast Of Dickinson And Whitman. A. Cummings. Whitman may have changed the course of poetry more than any other single person. Andrew Spacey from Near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire,UK on February 24, 2016: Thank you for this insightful essay comparing Whitman and Dickinson. Whitman grew up in the working class in a family of Quakers (Baym 20). Comparing Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson The lives of Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson have many similarities and differences. Whitman was published by Democrat, while Dickinson was published by Republican. During the Romantic era, previous ideals and morals were questioned. Later in life, he took up nursing wounded soldiers, about which he was very passionate (Baym 22). Dickinson wrote in a very strict fourteener meter that is commonly seen in nursery rhymes and church hymns. Using death as a theme is probably the strongest connection that Whitman and Dickinson share. Though their approaches differ, they often deal with … Not only will we not how are dickinson and whitman similar to emerson and thoreau your paper with other customers, but once the best college essays, we dont hold on how are dickinson and whitman similar to emerson and thoreau it and no one can connect you the shortest time. Interestingly, there is speculation that both poets may have had homosexual relationships (Baym 81). Whitman, Walt. As a result of this success in Emerson’s mission, the second commonality was achieved – both have become hugely influential poets whose work still persists to this day. Dickinson writes mostly in ballad meter but comes up with lots of ways to screw around with it. For example, in her poem 236, she basically puts down those who go to church and says that she is better off talking directly to God in her own home (Dickinson 84). As we discussed this companionship in Harding's work during class, we were surprised to learn that it is a unity of two seemingly opposing minds. I keep it staying home. Provide at least three ways that he or she reflects Romantic thinking in his or … Here, we will focus on the similarities in their lives in order to bring to attention a correlation between Whitman's poem I Saw in Louisiana a Live-oak Growing and Dickinson's poem # 1510. He responded to Emerson’s call to be more creative by abandoning poetic structure – so he wrote in free verse, with no meter or strict rhyme (Baym 20). Although he was not immediately popular, other than with Emerson, whom he deeply admired, people eventually warmed up to his work. Whitman and Dickinson had a different understanding of the world, because of how the world was seen through their eyes. Whitman formalizes his free verse into long, densely detailed sentences that often called Americans to action, and gave them a voice in times of hardship and the fear of potential turmoil that plagued the nation after President Abraham … His time as a nurse greatly influenced his writing, and the dying men surrounding him moved him to question the morality of war. Despite the tendency of Romantics to dismiss God completely, Whitman, perhaps due to Puritan pressure, felt the need to address the larger issues of religion and God. Although Whitman and Dickinson write about death in different contexts, both seem to feel compelled to tackle the issue repeatedly. While Whitman tends to leave little to the imagination, Dickinson uses very few, carefully selected words, forcing the reader contemplate the meaning of the poem and create his own image of the scene being described. Religion is also another subject both writers struggle with, and it often ties into the death theme. A. He often puts himself in place God. Dickinson’s poetry also inspired many women across the country. And as you seek paper writing at special job in my. Her lines end abruptly, outwardly innocuous words are often capitalized, and her tendency to write meters typical of hymnals all distinguishes her from other writers. Dickinson and Whitman stand on opposite ends of the … concepts of the average American working class, whereas Dickinson promotes the worthiness of the then unacknowledged female intellect. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson’s works have numerous differences. The poems she wrote indicate that she was fascinated with the concepts of death, love, and religion. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson’s works have numerous differences. 8th ed. It is also apparent that neither felt intimidated about death. However, despite sharing similarities in their overall message, both Whitman and Dickinson possessed unique writing styles different from the other. Both poets, Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman, are writers of the same time; the Romantic one. Many of her poems seem to question God’s existence, and the importance of Him if He does exist. Stanza 19 in “Song” is parallel to the feast of the rich man in the Bible. His poems are generally long and winding with intense imagery. New York: Norton, 2012. Vol. His Song of Myself begins This belief is emphasized by such lines as “I know that He exists”, “I never spoke with God/ Nor visited in Heaven-/ Yet certain am I of the spot/ As if the Checks were given-“. His preoccupation with sex, the human body, and numerous other “taboo” subjects, changed the American publics view of poetry. Vol. Both poets are acclaimed American writers, offering up distinct voices and beliefs that echo still today. Dickinson and Whitman–or Whitman and Dickinson, since he was the elder by eleven years–most certainly don’t belong together. 24-66. His assertion that spirituality is found in each of us, not in some higher being is a result of his constant questioning of traditional beliefs, combined with his inability to discard all notions of morality and values. Ralph Waldo Emerson famously called for a “metre-making argument,” which spurred a pursuit of ingenuity within Whitman and Dickinson (Baym 20). For example— Whitman: Dickinson: She explores these through the use of figurative language, such as the personification in poem 479: “Because I could not stop for Death - / He kindly stopped for me,” (Dickinson 91). 8th ed. Your email address will not be published. While the former rose to literary significance on the strength of Ralph Waldo Emerson's encouragement and the massive "Song of Myself" of Leaves of Grass, the latter maintained a diminutive stature, wrote her … Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman are strikingly different but alike(p) in well-nigh aspects. "122.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature.. Gen. ed. The poets come from opposite backgrounds, and while they do write from some shared inspiration sources, they do so in distinctive ways. Their lives spanned roughly the same period — Dickinson lived from 1830-86, Whitman from 1819-92 — but they never met or read one another’s poetry. Whitman and Dickinson share a lot of things in common, such as both supporting transcendentalism, although they share a lot of differences not just through their writing, but also the way they grew up. Whitman’s influential writing stems from his positive and uplifting messages. I can just see her composing inwardly in her quiet room, daring to pen such deep emotive words. He was a straight forward writer whom wrote lengthy pieces that revolved around the individual. Vol. Once again he compares himself to Jesus, inviting “the wicked just the same as the righteous”. Dickinson, Emily. Using death as a theme is probably the strongest connection that Whitman and Dickinson share. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson are two of the most famous poets from the time period who daringly revolutionized both the subject and style of American poetry. Thanks for sharing this essay on here. While both are famous trailblazers the two are vastly different. While Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson’s works seem to be quite different, they share common themes, namely death and religion. Emily Dickinson: it is hard to call her by her last name. Whitman wrote in epic like proportions, a very unepic-like manner. Whitman challenged the traditional idea of religion, basing his philosophy off of transcendentalism. Dickinson’s pervasive inspiration, for both style and content, can arguably be seen in the works of writers such as Sylvia Plath and E.E. Emily Dickinson, on the other hand, was very structured and conservative. You'll decide how the poets' attitudes or perspectives are alike and different, based on how they use poetic devices such as rhyme and figurative language. Emily Dickinson was hugely influenced by her gender difference and her rebelliousness to society’s thoughts on how she should be while writing poetry. I admire Whitman's unorthodox language and subject matter - from compost to universal love - his (very American) ego - and his compassionate feel for life. While vastly different in style and personality, both Dickinson and Whitman relate to many people on an emotional level through their poetry, even in the twenty-first century. 91. How Are Dickinson And Whitman Similar To Emerson And Thoreau. Both were poets of the nineteenth century, a time that was considered the Romantic period and a time that changed a lot of the style of American poetry. Dickinson’s writings on death are more complex and paradoxical. Together, they have helped to shape American poetry, and their influences can still be seen today. Both pioneered their own unique style of writing. Compared to Dickinson’s short and seemingly simple poems, Whitman’s are long and often complex. Characteristically, Whitman employs, and is indeed the master of, the long line. American poets Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman are best known for their confessional works, in which they express their inner desires and urges. 84. "Song of Myself.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature.. Gen. ed. Dickinson, Emily. Whitman blows past metrical forms and writes in his own kind of free verse. While their views may differ, there is a sense of commonality when reading their works side by side. Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson are two of the most famous poets from the time period who daringly revolutionized both the subject and style of American poetry. In “I heard a Fly buzz- when I died”, Dickinson tries to explain what happens at the boundary of death. ReverieMarie (author) from Tuscaloosa, Alabama on February 24, 2016: @Chef-de-jour , thank you for reading and for the comment! The 1800s was a time of new and exciting change in literary culture in America. Both Whitman and Dickinson write of common and everyday objects and people, while addressing the larger issues of life within that context. Required fields are marked *, Prove You\'re Human * Whitman contends that life remains long after death, and to find him now all one must do is look “under your boot-soles”. Toward the end of his life, Whitman even had an expensive mausoleum erected in which he wanted to be buried so that everyone would remember how famous he was (Baym 23). He also wrote a lot about soldiers and war later in life. Nina Baym. Print. Though their approaches differ, they often deal with the same themes, and both pioneered their own unique style of writing. I'm slowly working my way through Leaves of Grass, a monumemtal effort. Whitman frequently uses this echo technique, not only in “Crossing”, but also in “Song of Myself”. They are regarded as the founders of modern American poetry. Samuel Hollyer & Gabriel Harrison, Morgan Library and Museum, Wikimedia Commons Public Domain. 83. The styles of Whitman and Dickinson will always have their own place in history. The Norton Anthology of American Literature. Think about how you might sum up your whole analysis in a single claim. New York: Norton, 2012. For example, in “Crossing Brooklyn Ferry” he implies that he can see across time. Another outstanding difference between these poems is the rhyme scheme and meter used. Dickinson’s writing style is somewhat similar to that of Whitman, in the sense of their personal experiences of being an outcast and having different views from that of society. Compare And Contrast Emily Dickinson And Walt Whitman 737 Words | 3 Pages. In one poem she seemingly makes fun of God, saying “That we had rather not with Him/ But with each other play”. First, they both answered Emerson’s request for poetry that transcends the everyday poems from that time period. Overall, Dickinson’s style is rigid but defies expectations in both style and content. "236.” The Norton Anthology of American Literature.. Gen. ed. This is where Whitman was far divergent than Dickinson. They had many things In common from their writings about death and sadness, because of their unfortunate losses in life, to the fact that they were both born in Massachusetts. In Walter Harding's biography The Days of Henry Thoreau, Thoreau's relationship with the Romantic poet Walt Whitman is explored. Dickinson herself wrote (to her cousins), “Little Cousins,/ Called back-/ Emily.” on her deathbed. He collapses the distinctions between the spiritual and the secular.

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