Essay about Emily Dickinson and Walt Witman Clash - 803 Words

The definition of poetry, instead of becoming more selective and exact, has become a much more broad and open minded classification of literature. From Its beginnings in romanticist Puritan literature, to its more modernistic function on present society, poetry has become a way to blend the psychological side of human intellect, with the emotional side of human intuition and curiosity. Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman were two early poets from the late 19th century. Unlike Walt, Emily liked to write at home, she was a more secluded author who enjoyed to look out the window for inspiration. Walt on the other hand loved to travel. He found inspiration through nature and the diversity of thriving cultures throughout the world. Although†¦show more content†¦Here Whitman is speaking on how important it is for everyone to have their own individual voice. Also, Whitman doesnt speak for just the upper class. He uses jobs such as carpenter, plumber, and shoemaker. Jobs for people who really dont have the best things, or make the most money. Here Whitman speaks on expanding the horizon for society, giving everyone the same power, and equal voice. Not just the wealthy or more significant figures of society. Emily also writes on this idea in her poem â€Å"Success is Counted Sweetest†. It is in this poem she says, â€Å"Success is counted sweetest By those who neer succeed† (Dickinson, line 1). Here Dickinson is echoing the idea of having individualism in society. Their needs to be an equal distribution of power among the civilians so that the civilization will flourish. The lack of success in the lower class is caused by nothing less then a lack individualism among the lower class. Both Emily and Walt express discontent with the lack of individualism through the suffering of the lower class, shining light on the idea that without a sense of individualism, society is cast in the shadow of simplicity. In addition to writing about similar ideas, both E mily and Walt write about how they are unable to feel a connection with the divine realm and nature. Take Emilys â€Å"God Gave a Loaf to Every Bird† for example. Here she says, â€Å"God gave a loaf to every bird, But just a crumb to me†