Whitman and Dickson: A Comparison of Elegies
Whitman and Dickson are two of the most well-known poets in the history of American literature. However, the style used by each author is difficult to describe, but it is very easy to understand. These poets' thoughts are very similar, but they each have their own special way of expressing them. This article compares and contrasts Whitman's and Dickson's elegies. The elegies specifically compare Whitman's "When Lilacs Last Bloomed in the Dooryard" and Dickson's "I Think I Was Enchanted." The elegies are contrasted in terms of each poem's attitude toward a deceased human, attitude toward death, and relationship with nature.
Similarities
There are numerous similarities that are present in both "When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom'd" by Whitman and "I think I was enchanted" by Dickson. One of these similarities is that both poets portray death in the extract as a relief, an escape or salvation to a better place or another life. Both poets have formulated death as being something that is positive but at the same time very ambiguous. Another similarity evident in these two elegies is the use of symbols to put emphasis on their writing. Both Whitman and Dickson utilize symbolism, however, Dickson uses more often because her poetry is not meant for any audience to interpret rather than her personal gain and purposes. In "I think I was enchanted" Dickson talks of the transformation using bees, butterflies and swans (Susan). She uses animals and plants to give meaning to what she is writing about. On the other hand, Whitman uses the natural and rural imagery including a drooping star in the western sky, lilacs, and the hermit thrush as he employs pastoral elegy to move from grief towards accepting and becoming knowledgeable about death (Spark Notes). Based on this, it is clear that another similarity between these two poems is the use of nature to express the authors thinking. Both poets largely utilize nature to give meaning to the things happening in the society.
Contrast
While both elegies have the theme of death, Whitman and Dickson have a different approach to how it comes about. In this poem and many others, Dickson speaks of death in a manner which is conceptual while Whitman decides to use an actual tone to talk about. In "When Lilacs Last Bloomed in the Dooryard" Whitman sees death as more beautiful and natural than it is frightening. This poem by Whitman is an elegy to a president who had fallen, in this case, Abraham Lincoln but no name is mentioned nor the circumstances leading to his death (Spark Notes). This shows how Whitman describes death in a very delicate way allowing the reader to feel death in one way is good. Whitman's attitude to a dead person is that of being accorded the respect he or she deserves. This is demonstrated by respect he had for the fallen soldiers and dead president.
On the other hand, it is the view of Dickson that death is a conventional religious narrative. The opposition between the society and the individual poetic voice presents this. According to her, people's minds have been converted causing transformations. She continues to show her hard opinion when redefining the relation between God and an individual. Here she questions the concepts of afterlife and heaven (Susan). Dickson's attitude towards the dead person is not respectful as she is out to oppose the norm in the society. According to her, people have been made to believe death is a very intriguing thing, which she says, is not true.
Works Cited
Spark Notes. “When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d.” 3 May 2014. sparknotes.com. 25 March 2017.
Susan, Kornfeld. “I think I was enchanted.” October 2016. Blogging all the poems of Emily Dickinson. 25 March 2017.
