When comparing poems, it is important to consider the various elements that make up a poem, such as the structure, language, and themes. By analyzing these elements, we can gain a deeper understanding of the poems and the ways in which they differ and/or resemble each other.
One way to compare poems is by looking at their structure. This includes the length and arrangement of the lines, as well as the use of rhyme, meter, and other poetic devices. For example, two poems may both be sonnets, but one may be written in iambic pentameter and the other in free verse. The structure of a poem can greatly affect the way it is read and understood, so it is important to consider how it contributes to the overall message and meaning of the poem.
Another aspect to consider when comparing poems is the language used. This includes the diction, imagery, and figurative language employed by the poet. For instance, one poem may use formal, academic language, while another may use colloquial or slang terms. The language used can convey the tone and mood of the poem, as well as the background and perspective of the speaker.
Finally, the themes of the poems should also be considered when comparing them. This includes the central ideas and messages that the poet is trying to convey through their writing. Themes can vary widely, from love and loss to social justice and politics. By analyzing the themes of the poems, we can gain insight into the values and beliefs of the poets, as well as the cultural and historical contexts in which the poems were written.
In conclusion, comparing poems involves considering their structure, language, and themes. By analyzing these elements, we can gain a deeper understanding of the poems and the ways in which they differ and/or resemble each other.
Essay 1: Comparing Two Poems
Make sure to introduce the author or authors at this point as well, and describe the historical context in which the poems were written. Find similarities between both poems You can do this by referring to their style, length, author, social and political context. Stylistic features War imageryNatural imageryAlliteration Feature 1 War imagery Examples from each poem It may be at war, it may be sick with tyrants, 7 The white streets of that city, the graceful slopesglow even clearer as time rolls its tanksand the frontiers rise between us, close like waves. Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds, as in "hear the mellow wedding bells. In English poetry, most rhymes are "end rhymes," occurring at the end of lines in the poem. If you are working with poems written to conform to certain formal conventions, like sonnets, haiku, or pantoums, look up the line count, rhyme pattern, and other aspects of the form. The repeated "b"s and "d"s are examples of alliteration, while the repeated "i" sound is an example of assonance.
Condense your main argument into a single sentence. . This is mostly because there was no need for indirect messages after the Civil Rights Movement had already taken shape. For example, you might compare and contrast Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" with Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven. Read this post to learn about 14 poems to compare and contrast like an expert.
Check for internal rhymes, which happen within the line instead of at the end. What words tell you this? Both poems discuss social anxiety and analyze the nature of society as a whole Both poems address an understanding of insanity. Yet, when analyzing the context of what Ms. Trees moan weakly As the wailing wind Teases their black branches. Both use the sonnet form to mention how the night works upon them. On the other hand, verses that seem different can share striking resemblances.
Formal features Varied lineation at points, not visually aligned Examples from each poem Wavy curve of the stanzas especially stanza 2 Waviness of the stanzaic shape becomes more consistent after line 7 the protruding line How do they differ? Make two lists — one headed similarities and one headed differences and list the main points under each heading. When this poem was written, the fight for equal rights among African Americans had not started in earnest. Additionally, Dickinson used specific symbolism such as the vision of the children at the schoolyard to signify the youthful period of her life, the carriage that symbolizes her funeral wagon—the vehicle that Death is using to take his bride to the next destination. . His poem highlights the pride of origin that African Americans have. These striking differences in structure, length, and language then reinforce the completely opposing ideas of nature held by Wordsworth and Stevens.
The fact that you are dealing with poems does not indicate that you can say about them whatever comes to your mind. Advice: you do not need to go into details while describing the poems. . Whitman's poem celebrates difference and variety, while Hughes's is a reminder that some Americans are discriminated against because of their differences. See if the poems are talking in first, second, or third person. To formulate the thesis, use comparative sentence structures like the following: While both Poem A and Poem B are about…, Poem A portrays… as…, whereas Poem B casts… as… Poem A and Poem B are concerned with…, but Poem A presents… in a … light, while Poem B paints… as… In Poem A, … is depicted as… However, this same subject matter is dealt with differently in Poem B, where the poet portrays… as… Your comparative thesis should be thematic in nature i. San Diego: Bridgeport Education.
In all cases, to In what follows you will get familiar with some useful instructions regarding how to write an essay comparing two poems. How is this idea treated in both poems? Or, you might compare and contrast poems by different authors. Her visionary writings were a huge influence on San Juan de la Cruz, who joined the religious order based on her ideas, and wrote his own versions of many of her poems. It is helpful to compare poems by focusing on one aspect at a time, such as the structure, theme, tone, and finally the historical context of the writers. If your voice sounds sing-song or marching, there is probably a regular meter. Are they similar or opposite? This also goes to the actual lengths and tones of the poems, in that the longer expression of Wordsworth promotes affection, while the brief lines of Stevens reflect a combative quality.
Obviously, if these are set texts that you can prepare for, that should relieve a lot of the stress which would otherwise come with tackling an unseen comparative task with the right sort of guidance, granted. In the two poems above, the tones are very different. Whitman seems exuberant and celebratory; he is joyful about how different people sing their songs, or live their different lives, and create a beautiful symphony. Then, when you have decided on the poems to compare and contrast, start with a professional editor at Kibin give your essay a once-over beforeyou turn in your next assignment! Reflect on the topic As with any other kind of essay, here you need to reflect very deeply upon the topic. The sound and shape of a poem is as important as its subject.
The memory of the speaker 's death day is being told many years after her life ended. Phrases like ''darker brother,'' ''send me to eat in the kitchen,'' ''nobody will dare,'' and ''ashamed'' help support this tone. Bit of a mammoth post, I know, but I hope this helps break down the poetry comparison process into digestible chunks! We read it, of course. African Americans have come a long way and triumphed over several forms of adversity. The speaker in this poem speaks proudly about his rich history and heritage and how it is closely connected to some mighty rivers around the world. Also, consider if the poem has a named or unnamed recipient or if it is directed at an object or event.
What is the Purpose of Comparing Poetry? How do I feel after reading this poem? It was 1921, and the young Hughes was just adding his voice to the plight of the African Americans at the time. By doing this, the poet was alluding to the fact that the Civil Rights Movement was a small hurdle for the population that had come so far. In poetry, meter is the pattern of stressed and unstressed syllables in a line of poetry: in other words, it is the rhythm of the poem. Looking back at the poems you studied in class and looking for similarities like the ones mentioned in earlier sections will point you in the right direction. In the two poems above, you may notice that Walt Whitman's poem is not divided into stanzas, or smaller groupings of lines within a poem. It can help you structure your ideas in a logical way, e.
