Comparing and Contrasting Whitman and Dickinson: Perspectives on Life and Death

  Comparing and Contrasting Whitman and Dickinson: Perspectives on Life and Death Claim: While both Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson explore themes of life and death in their poetry, they exhibit contrasting attitudes and perspectives through their use of poetic devices such as rhyme and figurative language. Introduction: Walt Whitman and Emily Dickinson, two of America’s most renowned poets, offer distinct perspectives on life and death in their works. Through an examination of their poems, “Song of Myself” by Whitman and “Because I could not stop for Death” by Dickinson, we can discern the poets’ differing attitudes towards mortality. Whitman employs an expansive and celebratory tone, utilizing free verse and vivid imagery to convey his optimistic view of life and death. In contrast, Dickinson adopts a more introspective and contemplative tone, employing tight rhyme schemes and metaphoric language to express her nuanced perspective on the inevitability of death. Body: I. Attitudes towards Life: Whitman’s Perspective: Whitman embraces life in all its forms, celebrating its diversity and interconnectedness. He expresses a profound sense of unity with the natural world and humanity as a whole. This is evident in lines such as: “I celebrate myself, and sing myself, And what I assume you shall assume, For every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you.” Dickinson’s Perspective: Dickinson contemplates life with a sense of introspection and curiosity. While she acknowledges the beauty of existence, she also explores the inherent mysteries and uncertainties of life. This is demonstrated in lines like: “Because I could not stop for Death – He kindly stopped for me – The Carriage held but just Ourselves – And Immortality.” Commentary: Whitman’s celebratory tone exemplifies his belief in the interconnectedness of all beings, emphasizing the importance of embracing life’s diversity. In contrast, Dickinson’s contemplative tone conveys a sense of curiosity about life’s mysteries, suggesting her fascination with the transient nature of existence. II. Attitudes towards Death: Whitman’s Perspective: Whitman sees death as an integral part of life’s continuum, celebrating the cyclical nature of existence. He views death as a natural transition rather than an end. This is evident in lines such as: “And as to you, Death, and you bitter hug of mortality, it is idle to try to alarm me.” Dickinson’s Perspective: Dickinson grapples with the concept of death, exploring its inevitability and its impact on the human experience. She presents death as an enigmatic figure that accompanies individuals on their journey towards eternity. This is depicted in lines like: “We paused before a House that seemed A Swelling of the Ground – The Roof was scarcely visible – The Cornice – in the Ground.” Commentary: Whitman’s acceptance of death as a natural part of life reflects his optimistic perspective on mortality. In  

Sample Answer