Opposites create – only similar in need to break away from conventions Both observers of people – but through different vantages Whitman published “Leaves of Grass” independently – Dickinson published only 6 A New American Poetry

Comparison of their poetry Models for the modern writer; inspired generations of poets. Believed documenting society and knew it would be carried into the future. Thought his poetry was important enough to publish at his own expense. » He wrote in free verse: Cadence is the rhythm or musicality of sounds that great speakers use. Her poetry came from her rich internal life and her love for nature. » Most of her poetry was published posthumously (after death). Only 6 poems were published anonymously in her life time. She used rhyme and meter, but created a unique poetic form with her word choice and grammar usage.

Free Verse & Slant Rhyme Free verse – Uses multiple techniques: metaphor, alliteration, imagery, parallel structure, but never RHYME – Cadence found in free verse - flow of words that have a rhythmic rise and fall in sound, not fixed, but natural Slant rhyme – Used to emphasize certain words – “Eye” rhyme, half rhyme, or near rhyme – today / Victory, Gate/mat, NOT scarce/lain Hope is the thing with feathers That perches in the soul, And sings the tune without the words, And never stops at all.

Innocence to Awareness/Experience: – a mental, spiritual, and physical movement (Leaves of Grass) To Salvation/Pilgrimage: – Dickinson poems reveal her journey to know God through nature Self-made Man: – Rags to riches story found in Whitman’s poetry, but rich in knowledge and experiences The New Frontier: – Whitman discovered not only the land, but also who we are and what we can be through travel Community vs. Society: – Both poets desired a movement towards community and away from society, though their ideas of community and society were slightly different. American Lit Themes American Journey