Describe the characteristics of mid- and late-19th century poetry. Then reread Whitman’s and Dickinson’s poems. As you read, consider what topics or themes are found in both poets’ works. Choose at least one shared topic or theme, and discuss how each poet develops that topic or theme. Examine what is similar in their poems and what is different. Make sure to use textual evidence.
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Mid- and late-19th century poetry is characterised by a heartfelt love for nature, a sense of nonconformity, as well as value of the individual’s imagination and feelings.
A theme that can be found both in Whitman’s and Dickinson’s poems is the appreciation of nature. Walt Whitman develops this topic in the majority of his poems in Leaves of Grass. In poem 6, for example, he focuses on pondering the question of what grass is, upon being asked this by a child (“A child said ‘What is the grass’?”). Emily Dickinson’s poem “I started early – Took my Dog” deals with the sea and the imaginary creatures dwelling there (“The Mermaids in the Basement / Came out to look at me”).
Both authors incorporate a sense of deep appreciation and respect for nature in each of the two poems. Nevertheless, the most noticeable difference in their work is that while Whitman’s observations of nature are caused by a child’s question (“How could I answer the child?”), Dickinson is moved after being hit by a tide (“But no man moved me – till the tide / went past my simple shoe”)
( Assignment 6.07 Discussion for english )
