Comparing Poems Term Paper

Robinson, Whitman, And Wordsworth

Poems are often vehicles of personal reflection and expression. Poets often write poetry to communicate their personal messages to the world. Edwin Arlington Robinson, Walt Whitman William, and Wordsworth, are three poets who write messages for the world through their poetry. This paper will examine the theme, tone, and literary devices in the poems, "Richard Cory," and "Oh Captain! My Captain!" And "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud."

These poems focus on themes of a serious nature. For example, Robinson's poem, "Richard Cory," we are presented with the subject of suicide committed by an individual that was rich and considered by the townspeople to be "everything/To make us wish that we were in his place" (Robinson 11-2). Richard Cory was a gentleman yet the town envied him because he was rich and "admirably schooled in every grace" (10). The poet also describes how the townspeople worked through the night and went without eating meat. The poem concludes with Richard Cory Putting a bullet through his head, emphasizing the point that money will not make one happy. In fact, it may often alienate individuals from others as it did Richard Cory from those in the town. In "Oh Captain! My Captain," the poet writes about the death of the captain who has finally won the battle but lost his life. We know the captain is loved and admired because the poet says, "for you the flag is flung -- for you the bugle trills;/For you bouquets and ribbon'd wreaths -- for you the shores a-crowding" (Whitman 10-1).These lines express a sorrow that the people feel for the captain that is not present in "Richard Cory." The theme of "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud," is also serious; however, it is more lighthearted. In this poem, the poet is reflective and compares himself to a cloud. From this perspective, the poet plays with words and images to express his point. For example, he writes, "I saw a crowd,/A host of golden daffodils" (Wordsworth 3-4). The daffodils are like individuals and the poet is suddenly viewing humanity in a different way that makes him happy. Each of these poets reflects on serious matters that force us to think of things in a different way.

Robinson and Whitman present their poems with a….....