Introduction
Poetry is a form of literature that has been used for centuries to express emotions, ideas, and experiences. Two prominent poets of the 19th century were Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson. These poets had different styles, but both made significant contributions to American literature. In this article, we will analyze some of their works to gain a better understanding of their writing techniques and themes.
Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself"
One of Whitman's most famous poems is "Song of Myself." This poem is divided into 52 sections, each exploring a different aspect of the self. The poem celebrates the individual and the interconnectedness of all things. Whitman uses free verse, a form of poetry that does not follow a specific rhyme scheme or meter. This style allows him to express his ideas more freely and often results in a more natural flow of language.
One example of Whitman's use of free verse is in section 1 of "Song of Myself." He writes:
I celebrate myself, and sing myself,
And what I assume you shall assume,
For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.
In this passage, Whitman is celebrating the self and the interconnectedness of all things. He uses parallel structure in the repetition of "I celebrate myself, and sing myself" and "For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you." This repetition emphasizes the idea of unity and equality.
Emily Dickinson's "Because I could not stop for Death"
Dickinson's poetry is known for its unusual punctuation and capitalization. She often used dashes and unconventional capitalization to create a unique rhythm and emphasis. One of her most famous poems is "Because I could not stop for Death." This poem explores the idea of death as a journey and personifies death as a gentleman caller.
One example of Dickinson's unconventional punctuation is in the first stanza of "Because I could not stop for Death." She writes:
Because I could not stop for Death ???
He kindly stopped for me ???
The Carriage held but just Ourselves ???
And Immortality.
In this passage, Dickinson uses dashes to create pauses and a sense of breathlessness. The unconventional punctuation draws attention to the words and creates a unique rhythm. The capitalization of "Death" and "Immortality" personifies these concepts and gives them a sense of agency.
Whitman's "I Hear America Singing"
"I Hear America Singing" is another famous poem by Whitman. This poem celebrates the diversity of American culture and the contributions of every individual. Whitman uses imagery and personification to create a sense of unity and pride.
One example of Whitman's use of imagery is in the opening lines of "I Hear America Singing." He writes:
I hear America singing, the varied carols I hear,
Those of mechanics, each one singing his as it should be blithe and strong,
The carpenter singing his as he measures his plank or beam,
In this passage, Whitman uses imagery to describe the different voices of America. He personifies the mechanics and carpenters and emphasizes their pride in their work. The use of "carols" gives the poem a musical quality and creates a sense of joy.
