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Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson were both fantastic American poets of the 19th century. Aside from this, however, the two had extremely few in common. Without even going into their nearly polar opposite individual lives, and concentrating entirely upon their works, one can still see the unbelievable diversity of American culture. Their views were various. Their beliefs were different. Their composing designs were various. But they both wrote a few of the very best poetry this nation had actually ever seen.
Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman contrast in the ways of their various composing structure, subject tone, and subjects gone over in the majority of their released works.
First, the most upcoming evidence of their differences would be the structure that the poets use to reveal themselves through. Whitman uses totally free verse in his poems. A clear representation of this is any excerpt from "Tune of Myself". This poem has a set rhythm, however no certain rhyme plan. "The Yankee clipper is under her sky-sails, she cuts the shimmer and scud,/ My eyes settle the land, I flex at her prow or shout joyously from the deck." (Whitman- "Tune of Myself 10." lines 6-7) This makes the poem less enticing to check out however leaves a lot more room for expression from the author.
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Dickinson, nevertheless, uses well planned brief lines of rhymes. Her poems don't typically include a lot more than 6 words per line and are written in verse. This offers each poem an easier pattern and flow to comprehend.
These poems may not sound as advanced, but are equally fantastic. "If you were being available in the Fall,/ I 'd brush the Summertime by/ With half a smile, and half a spurn,/ As Housewives do a fly." (Dickinson- "If you were coming in the Fall" lines 1-4).
" Singing with open mouths their strong harmonic tunes." (Whitman- "I Hear America Singing" line 11) Lines like this offers Whitman's poems a sense of optimism and happiness. "I Hear America Singing" is a proud poem about our country's content and thorough work. "I celebrate myself and sing myself," (Whitman- "Tune of Myself 1." line 1) is Whitman's pleasant reflection on himself from the really first line of his poem "Song of Myself". Walt Whitman composes his poems with enthusiasm and a self-control that makes his poems, all in all, uplifting to read.. Emily Dickinson, however, tends to be a complete opposite to this. She uses her poems to express her deepest conflict and melancholy. In "Heart! We will forget him!" she almost seems to be screaming about her torments with love. "Heart! We will forget him! / You and I--tonight! / You may forget the warmth he gave-- / I will forget the light!" (Dickinson- "Heart! We will forget him!" lines 1-4) Her poems can range anywhere from energetic, like this one, to depressing, gloomy, and dismal; "As he defeated--dying--/ On whose forbidden ear/ The distant stains of triumph/ Burst agonized and clear!" (Dickinson- "Success is counted sweetest" lines 9-12)
The actual subject matter of the poems is perhaps the most obvious topic to focus on. At first glance, and when only comparing between the two authors, it is clear that Whitman concentrates more on the physical attributes of human life. Dickinson revels more about the metaphysical senses and emotions. "I am the mash'd fireman with breast-bone broken," (Whitman- "Song of Myself 33." Line 26) is an example of Whitman's vivid imagery toward a tangible role in his poem. Much like he would "become the wounded person," ( line 24) Whitman uses reality in people and setting to convey his message. Dickinson's writings concentrate heavily on metaphors, using symbolism to show a deeper message. Writing like this is open to so many more interpretations. "The Soul selects her own Society--/ Then--shuts the Door--/ To her divine Majority--/ Present no more--." (Dickinson- "The soul selects her own Society" lines 1-4) With no definite and tangible evidence this poem leaves the reader to decide exactly what the poem means to them.
In conclusion, saying these two writers were different would be a gross understatement. However, their end result was the same. They both became great cultural influences on the country. Walt Whitman wrote stunningly depictive poems about the fight of the common man. Emily Dickinson wrote impressively deep poems regarding some of the most sensitive of human emotions. Whitman wrote powerful free verse expressing enthusiasm towards anything he spoke about. Dickinson used rhyming verse to make a more powerful connection with the reader over her deepest feelings and conflicts. These two poets had their share of great writing differences, but at the end of the day, were just that; different, great writers.
Walt Whitman in contrast to Emily Dickinson. (2016, Jun 27). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/walt-whitman-in-contrast-to-emily-dickinson-essay
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