two poem comparison essay

Comparing Two Poems Essay Example

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Poetry is a unique art form as it usually captures the feelings of a particular individual. Therefore, two poems with the same genre and similar themes can have substantial differences. On the other hand, verses that seem different can share striking resemblances. To compare and contrast two poems, this essay example will focus on the message they carry.

“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” is a poem written by Langston Hughes during the Harlem Renaissance. It was 1921, and the young Hughes was just adding his voice to the plight of the African Americans at the time. “We Wear the Mask” is a piece by the famous author and activist Laurence Dunbar. The lyrical poem was written twenty-five years before Hughes published “The Negro Speaks of Rivers.” By comparing two poems, this essay example will reveal both their similarities and differences.

These two poems were written in the period between the Civil War and the Civil Rights Movement. This period was characterized by deep emotions concerning the struggles of the African Americans. Each of these poems represents the poets’ feelings towards the struggles of the African Americans. “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” chronicles the speaker’s historical journey from Africa to the West. The speaker refers to African Americans, their history, and their heritage.

The poem captures this rich heritage albeit in a nostalgic manner. On the other hand, “We Wear the Mask” is a poem by one of the first African American writers to be accorded a national accolade for his work. Dunbar explores the coping mechanisms of the African Americans during their struggles. Both poems address issues that happen in the same period.

Dunbar’s poem was published at the turn of the century shortly after slavery was outlawed. This period was expected to be a victorious time for African Americans and everyone assumed that they were happy. “We Wear the Mask” disputes this idea and presents an argument that happiness among the African American population was a façade.

According to Dunbar, deep inside, African Americans have ‘torn and bleeding hearts’. The message in this poem is not direct and it is in line with the situation in the ground. When this poem was written, the fight for equal rights among African Americans had not started in earnest. Instead, the struggle for equal rights was just bubbling under the surface.

Dunbar’s poem hints at this discontent by claiming that African Americans were just masking their feelings. Dunbar digs deeper into the issue by claiming that most of the population at the time was hiding behind religion to avoid confronting the issues of inequality. In addition, the speaker accuses the African American population of misleading the rest of the population about their actual feelings.

Langston Hughes’ poem has a more melancholic tone. Hughes wrote “The Negro Speaks of Rivers” twenty-five years after Dunbar’s poem was written. Hughes’ poem uses a different approach to address the African American issues of the time. His poem highlights the pride of origin that African Americans have.

The speaker in this poem speaks proudly about his rich history and heritage and how it is closely connected to some mighty rivers around the world. Unlike Dunbar, Hughes does not hide the message of his poem. This is mostly because there was no need for indirect messages after the Civil Rights Movement had already taken shape. Hughes took time out of the equal rights struggles of the African Americans to reflect on this population’s prolific heritage.

By doing this, the poet was alluding to the fact that the Civil Rights Movement was a small hurdle for the population that had come so far. The message in Hughes’ poem is structurally different from that in Dunbar’s poem. Hughes is reassuring African Americans of their supremacy and the need to hold on to their mighty heritage while Dunbar is indirectly urging African Americans to do something about their veiled unhappiness.

The mask that Dunbar talks about hides a prolific history and heritage about the African Americans. On the other hand, Hughes reiterates the need for African Americans to hold on to their rich heritage. Hughes’ poem is also meant to remind the world that African Americans have contributed towards major civilizations around the world. For instance, the speaker reminds the readers that African Americans were part of the civilization that brought the pyramids.

Hughes’ point is that African Americans thrived through various civilizations around the world and the Civil Rights Movement is just another hurdle. The rest of the population at the time viewed the African American population as the recently freed slaves who were supposed to show gratitude. However, most people failed to put into consideration the fact that African Americans’ history predated slavery.

Dunbar’s poem is also structured in a manner that addresses African Americans and the rest of the population. Dunbar sends a call to action to African Americans although his message is not direct. On the other hand, Dunbar’s poem informs the rest of the population that the happiness they see among the African American population is not real. While Hughes’ message is assertive and direct, Dunbar’s message is provocative and indirect.

One of the most striking similarities between these two poems is the fact that they use a central metaphor. Hughes’ poem uses the River as the main metaphor. In addition, he includes it in the poem’s title. The river is used to show the passage of time in “The Negro Speaks of Rivers”. African Americans have come a long way and triumphed over several forms of adversity. However, just like rivers flow eternally, African Americans have kept on flowing.

The metaphor of the river is also used to show that the existence of African Americans will outlast many things. At one point in the poem, the speaker says that he has seen rivers change their appearance depending on the time. This signifies that a time will come when the outlook of African Americans will be favorable. Dunbar’s poem uses the mask as the main metaphor.

The poet also boldly introduces this metaphor in the poem’s first line. The mask refers to the façade that prevents people from seeing the discontent of the African American population. According to Dunbar, African Americans use masks to hide their actual feelings and avoid provoking those who oppress them. The mask is a strong metaphor that also lends itself to the poem’s title. Use of metaphors gives these two poems a valuable outlook and helps the poets pass their strong messages to their audience.

“The Negro Speaks of Rivers” and “We Wear the Mask” are two poems that address the plight of the African Americans albeit from different perspectives. The wishes of the two poets materialized with the success of the Civil Rights Movement. Both poets reckon that the struggle of African Americans is an ongoing process.

• Humanities: Nuclear War by Kahn’s on Thermonuclear War and Kubrick’s Dr. Strangelove
• The Comparison of the Characters of Eleonora and Tia Roma
• Paul Laurence Dunbar’s “We Wear the Mask” Poem
• “We Wear the Mask” by Paul Lawrence Dunbar
• The Work "Sea to Shining Sea" by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz
• Comparing Robert Frost’s Poems: The Road Not Taken and A Question
• About the victims in three novels
• ‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ and ‘Ode to the West Wind’
• Concept of Representation of Marriage
• Apartheid Imagery in "A Walk in the Night" and "A Dry White Season"
• Chicago (A-D)
• Chicago (N-B)

IvyPanda. (2019, January 17). Comparing Two Poems. https://ivypanda.com/essays/comparison-of-two-poems/

"Comparing Two Poems." IvyPanda , 17 Jan. 2019, ivypanda.com/essays/comparison-of-two-poems/.

IvyPanda . (2019) 'Comparing Two Poems'. 17 January.

IvyPanda . 2019. "Comparing Two Poems." January 17, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/comparison-of-two-poems/.

1. IvyPanda . "Comparing Two Poems." January 17, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/comparison-of-two-poems/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Comparing Two Poems." January 17, 2019. https://ivypanda.com/essays/comparison-of-two-poems/.

Poetry & Poets

Explore the beauty of poetry – discover the poet within

A Level Poetry Comparison Essay Example

Introduction

Writing a comparison essay between two poems can be an interesting task. It requires a student to be creative and think outside of the box. Although poetry comparison might seem overwhelming and daunting, once you understand the basics of comparing two poems, the task suddenly becomes much easier. This article aims to provide students with a comprehensive guide on how to write a poetry comparison essay, offering key tips and providing example essays for inspiration.

What is a Poetry Comparison Essay?

A poetry comparison essay is a type of essay in which the student is asked to compare two different poems of their own choosing, analyzing and critiquing each one. The poems should share some common theme or concept, yet still have many differences that the student should explore and compare. Generally, the student should draw upon their own knowledge and research to make comparisons between both poems.

Key Considerations

When writing a poem comparison essay, there are several key things to consider. Firstly, the student should think about the overarching theme or concept of the both poems, as this will most likely be an aspect they will need to focus on when comparing. Furthermore, the student should think about the structure of the poems, taking into account the layout, the rhyming patterns, and other literary elements such as alliteration and repetition. Additionally, use of language, imagery and symbolism should also be taken into account.

Comparing Language in Poems

When comparing two poems, one of the key aspects that the student should consider is the language used within each one. Generally, they should try to notice any patterns of language and note these down, thinking about how the various elements of language such as metaphors, similes and personification add to the effect of the poem. Additionally, the use of dialogue, structure and sounds can be used to compare the two poems, and how these elements help to convey the theme or emotions.

Analyzing Imagery and Symbolism in Poems

When comparing two poems, students should also be looking closely at the imagery and symbolism that is used within the poems. Imagery refers to any kind of mental image, description or figure of speech that has a referential meaning—namely, it refers to something else in order to help convey the subject. For example, a poem might use imagery of a flower to symbolize growth, or the use of tools to symbolize hard work. Symbolism, on the other hand, is an object or image that stands for something that it doesn’t literally symbolize. It can be used to add an extra layer of meaning to a poem.

Key Comparisons in the Poems

When comparing two poems, it is important to look at their similarities and differences. Generally, the student should look at common themes and imagery, as well as similarities in style and structure. It is also important to note how each poet has used language, imagery and symbols differently to convey their messages and feelings. Additionally, the student should think about how the structure of verbal and nonverbal elements impacts the overall message of the poem.

Example of a Poetry Comparison Essay

When writing a poetry comparison essay, an example can be useful. Taking a look at the following example from a student’s A-Level English Literature essay: In this essay, I shall be comparing and contrasting two poems: “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and “The Listeners” by Walter de la Mare. Firstly, I shall be exploring the theme of choices in both poems. In “The Road Not Taken”, Frost has created a poem about the power of decision making, whereas “The Listeners” offers a less optimistic view on the consequences of choices. Both poems use vivid imagery to convey their respective messages. For example, “The Road Not Taken” uses the image of two roads to symbolize the difficult choices we make in life, while “The Listeners” uses the image of an empty house to represent the loneliness and confusion of not knowing which direction to take. The use of structure is also important in these two poems. Frost has used rhyming couplets to explore the theme of choices, while de la Mare adopts a more open, free-verse style. Both poets also use a similar range of language throughout their poems, with words such as “forlorn” and “darkness” being used to create a sense of loneliness and uncertainty. Ultimately, both poems explore similar themes in inventive, yet different ways.

Applying the Analysis

When writing a comparison essay between two poems, it is important to consider the key aspects discussed in the article, such as the theme, language, imagery and symbolism of each poem, as well as the structural elements. It is also important to apply the analysis to the essay, noting any relevant similarities or differences as you go. Additionally, the student should support their analysis with relevant evidence, such as quotes and examples, to ensure that the essay flows smoothly and that all aspects are covered.

Writing Style

When writing a comparison essay, it is important to ensure that the writing style is formal and direct. Generally, the student should not use overly complex sentences to ensure that the reader can understand the points that they are trying to make. Additionally, it is important to avoid the passive voice and use the active voice instead. This can help to ensure that the essay is succinct and that all points are clear and concise.

Explore Poems

When writing a poetry comparison essay, it is important for the student to take time to explore the chosen poems. Generally, the student should spend time looking at the different aspects of each poem in order to gain an understanding of the theme and ideas that the poet has tried to convey. Additionally, they can also look at reviews and interpretations of the poems in order to gain further insight into the meaning of both texts.

Bring in Outside Sources

When writing a comparative essay, it can be a good idea to bring in outside sources in order to provide a wider perspective on the chosen poems. Generally, this will involve looking for scholarly articles or reviews that have been written about the particular poems, and using these to provide further insight into the meaning and theme of the text. Additionally, the student should also look for any critical analysis that has been written in order to gain interesting perspectives from other experts in the field.

Organize Your Essay

When organizing the essay, the student should ensure that the essay is well structured and organized. Generally, a good structure for the essay should include an introduction, body paragraphs and a conclusion. Additionally, the body of the essay should be divided up into two sections, one analyzing each poem individually, and one section comparing both poems. This can help to ensure that all relevant points are covered, and that the essay flows smoothly.

Proofreading and Editing

Finally, before submitting the essay, it is important to ensure that the student proofreads and edits the essay thoroughly. Generally, editing should involve re-reading the essay to check for any inconsistencies in the argument, as well as any spelling or grammar errors that may have been overlooked. Additionally, the student should also use a spellchecker and a grammar checker to ensure that the essay is perfect.

In conclusion, writing a poem comparison essay can be an interesting and challenging task for students. By understanding the key considerations discussed in this article and taking note of the example essay, students should be well on their way to writing a successful comparison essay. It is also important to take time to explore the chosen poems, bringing in outside sources to provide a wider perspective. Additionally, the student should ensure that the essay is well organized, and that they proofread and edit it thoroughly before submitting.

Minnie Walters

Minnie Walters is a passionate writer and lover of poetry. She has a deep knowledge and appreciation for the work of famous poets such as William Wordsworth, Emily Dickinson, Robert Frost, and many more. She hopes you will also fall in love with poetry!

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

How to Write an Essay Comparing Poems

This is Revision World’s guide on how to write an essay or answer an exam question that asks you to compare poems within the poetry anthology you are studying.

Understanding the Task:

Identify the Key Components: Ensure you understand the task requirements, including the poems you're comparing, the themes, and the aspects you need to analyse (e.g., structure, language, tone).

Pre-Writing Stage:

Read and Annotate: Read the poems multiple times, annotating key themes, literary devices, and interesting observations.

Identify Similarities and Differences: Note down similarities and differences in themes, imagery, language, structure, and tone between the two poems.

Structuring Your Essay:

 Introduction:

Introduce the poems and poets, providing context if necessary.

Present your thesis statement, outlining the main points of comparison.

Body Paragraphs:

Topic Sentences: Start each paragraph with a clear topic sentence that states the aspect of comparison.

Comparison: Analyse each poem separately, focusing on the chosen aspect (e.g., theme, structure). Then, compare and contrast the same aspect in both poems.

Use of Evidence: Provide evidence from the poems to support your analysis (quotations).

Analysis: Interpret the significance of the similarities and differences, considering their effects on the reader and the overall meaning of the poems.

Conclusion:

Summarise your main points of comparison.

Reflect on the significance of the comparisons and their implications for the reader.

Offer insights into the broader themes or messages conveyed by the poems.

Writing Tips:

Be Specific: Avoid vague statements and ensure your comparisons are specific and well-supported by evidence.

Consider Poetic Devices: Analyse the poets' use of poetic devices (e.g., imagery, symbolism, metaphor) and how they contribute to the overall effect of the poems.

Focus on Key Themes: Choose a few key themes or aspects to compare rather than attempting to cover everything in the poems.

Maintain Coherence: Ensure your essay flows logically, with clear transitions between paragraphs and ideas.

Proofread: Carefully proofread your essay for grammar, spelling, and punctuation errors.

Example Statement:

"In 'Poem A' and 'Poem B,' both poets utilise imagery and symbolism to explore the theme of loss, but while 'Poem A' uses natural imagery to convey a sense of grief and acceptance, 'Poem B' employs religious symbolism to depict a more existential struggle with loss and faith."

Example Topic Sentences:

"In 'Poem A,' the poet employs vivid natural imagery to convey the speaker's emotional response to loss."

"Conversely, 'Poem B' utilises religious symbolism to explore the theme of loss in a more abstract and existential manner."

By following these steps and incorporating these tips, you can effectively write a well-structured and insightful essay comparing two poems in your GCSE English Literature exam.

The Hyperbolit School

Your trusty englit guide.

How to compare poems – 5 steps

Previously, I wrote a post on how to analyse any unseen poem , which a lot of you found useful. One of you asked if I could also write a guide on how to compare poems, so that’s what this post is for. 

What’s the deal with comparative analysis – and why does it always seem so much harder…? 

Between an unseen single-poem analysis task and a prepared comparative poetry analysis task, which one would you prefer?

Both can be tricky to master, but neither is unmanageable – we just need to find the right strategy. 

Personally, I think the reason that comparative tasks seem more challenging is largely psychological. It’s not so much that the act of comparing texts itself is hard as it is that we get easily flustered when asked to multitask – especially in a high-stress situation like an exam.

Obviously, if these are set texts that you can prepare for, that should relieve a lot of the stress which would otherwise come with tackling an unseen comparative task (with the right sort of guidance, granted). 

So, what’s my point here?

I’m trying to say if you find comparative tasks intimidating, don’t – because

a) there’s a systematic way to go about doing it well, and

b) I’m going to show you just how to do it in this post, complete with steps and examples. 

5 steps to comparing any poems: a guide

Step 1: summarise the main idea of each poem in 1-2 sentences , step 2: find similarities – thematic, stylistic, structural and formal, step 3: find differences from similarities , step 4: identify 3 key ideas for comparison, step 5: summarise your main argument in a comparative statement.

Or watch my video below, in which I go through the 5 steps to comparing poems (but stick around this blog post for a demonstration of how to do it in the next section, where I compare Carol Rumens and Seamus Heaney’s poems):

What’s the first thing we do when encountering any poem? We read it, of course. But what do you do after you first read the poem? We’re likely to re-read it – either because we don’t really ‘get it’ the first time round, or because we need to start sourcing clues for our analysis. 

Re-reading is all good and well (not to mention necessary), but the problem with it is there’s potentially no end to how many times we could re-read a poem, and so the more we re-read, the more we’re likely to be led into a labyrinthe of questions, which causes more confusion. In normal, non-exam circumstances, that’s perfectly fine, but if you’re racing against time, then a better tactic is to read once, then summarise your first impressions; read twice, and summarise the main idea of the poem. 

But, what if I really don’t get it? Obviously, there’s room to take ‘once’ or ‘twice’ liberally, so no issues if you have to re-read a couple of times before you can summarise anything. My point, however, is not to get sucked into an endless process of reading and re-reading, because before long you’ll have whittled all your time away – only to have nothing to show for it at the end. 

To prevent this, start actively engaging with the poem by asking yourself these questions immediately after reading it: 

What is the main gist of the poem’s content?

How do I feel after reading this poem? 

What are some themes or ideas that jump out at me? 

Is there anything special or weird about this poem? 

Etcetera. 

Then, scribble them down on your planning sheet (you should always plan before you write!), so at least you’re visualizing your response to the poem, which gives you a much better place to start than simply keeping everything in an abstract, befuddled jumble in your head. These notes don’t have to be long – just 1-2 sentences or even bullet points will suffice. 

Once we’ve settled on a main understanding of the poems, it’s time to switch our thinking to a ‘lateral’ mode. By ‘lateral’, I mean to think across both poems in terms of different aspects of analysis (i.e. theme, style, structure, form), instead of focusing on only one poem at a time. 

Let’s start by looking at the similarities in theme, style, structure and form between the poems. If you’ve read my post on ‘how to tackle any unseen poetry’ (which you should!), you’ll know I love me some tables, rows and columns, so here’s a sample table for us to systematise our observations:

Similarities between Poem A and Poem B

Again, as I’ve mentioned in the unseen post, the ability to spot these similarities (and differences, as we’ll cover in the next step) is predicated on us being familiar with the technical basics. I.e., we can’t spot a metaphor if we don’t know what metaphor means, so make sure that you sort out the fundamentals first – a wobbly foundation is no place to start any poetry analysis task, comparative, unseen, or otherwise.

Differences across poems can appear on multiple levels. There can be complete differences (e.g. Poem A is a sonnet whereas Poem B is a ballad), but more often, we’re looking for ‘differences within similarities’. This is why a good place to start identifying differences is, perhaps a bit ironically, in our similarities table. 

The guiding questions to ask, then, would include the following:

How do the poems present the same theme in different ways? 

How do the poets use the same stylistic, structural or formal techniques to present different aspects of the theme? 

For instance, while both poems may be about love, A could be about unrequited love and B about mutual love, so there’s a thematic difference for you. Alternatively, both poems may feature comparative devices, but while metaphors are used to compare love with dandelions in Poem A, similes could be used to compare love with an onion in Poem B.

Likewise, both poems may be odes , but perhaps A is a Pindaric ode, while B is a Horatian ode (for a more detailed explanation of the ode, read this post). So on so forth. You’ll notice that the ‘differences’, then, could simply be your analysis of the different quotations you’ve sourced for each poem’s ‘similarities’. 

So instead of creating a new table, we can add one extra line underneath each aspect of analysis to address how each ‘similarity’ differs across the poems, like this: 

Once we’ve reviewed all the ‘differences-in-similarities’, we can then zoom out and see if there are other fundamental points of divergence between the poems, i.e. is there something in Poem A that’s totally absent from Poem B, and vice versa? If it serves your argument to also bring these points in, then feel free to add them in. 

Now that we’ve mapped out all the thematic, stylistic, structural and formal similarities and differences, it’s time to zoom in on how the theme is presented from various angles through the use of style, structure and form.

This means going back to the quotations we’ve sourced for the stylistic, structural and formal categories in each table, and looking at how these quotations present the theme in different ways through the poet’s use of techniques.

The purpose of this is to identify 3 main points of discussion for our main body section, which could look something like this:

Main body 1: How the poems present the nature of love (unrequited vs mutual)

• Techniques used for this: Poem A (metaphor); Poem B (rhyme) 

Main body 2: How the poems present the fickleness of love, regardless of unrequited or mutual affections 

• Techniques used for this: Poem A (organic imagery); Poem B (irony) 

Main body 3: How the poems reach their respective revelation about the role of love in our lives

• Techniques used for this: Poem A (indentation / formal variation); Poem B (rhyming couplet at the end)

Together, your 3 main body points should cover the entirety of both texts, and not be limited to just one section of each poem. As for the ‘techniques used’, these should come in organically as part of your analysis, as you explain how the poet(s) convey these ideas through the use of metaphor , rhyme, organic imagery , irony etc. 

One more point to note is this: even within a comparative framework, there’s likely to be an arc of transformation in the way a theme is portrayed in each poem.

So, if Poem A is about unrequited love, does it begin in a despairing tone, but ends on a more stoic note? And if Poem B is about mutual love, is the idea presented in a purely joyful light throughout the poem, or does an element of doubt seep in halfway?

It’s important that we pay attention to these changes within each poem even while comparing across poems. 

Finally, let’s summarise the poems’ similarities and differences in a comparative statement.

This should be the guiding thesis for your essay, which also doubles as your main line of argument and cascades into points of analysis for the main body section.

Perhaps it seems a bit odd to ‘work backwards’ by coming up with the introductory thesis at the end of our planning process, but it works, because when you think about it, your argument should be a distillation of your main points, which are the specifics in each main body paragraph. 

To formulate the thesis, use comparative sentence structures like the following:

While both Poem A and Poem B are about…, Poem A portrays… as…, whereas Poem B casts… as… 

Poem A and Poem B are concerned with…, but Poem A presents… in a … light, while Poem B paints… as…

In Poem A, … is depicted as… However, this same subject matter is dealt with differently in Poem B, where the poet portrays… as… 

Your comparative thesis should be thematic in nature (i.e. it spells out how a theme is portrayed across both poems); any shared or different techniques could either be left to the main body analysis, or – if it helps clarify your focus as you go on to write the rest of your essay – you could add one follow-up sentence after the comparative thesis to summarise the technical overlaps and divergences between the poems.

For example, “Poem A relies mainly on comparative devices and imagery, while Poem B features personification and rhyme to convey the nuances of…” etc etc. But this is largely optional. 

Quick demonstration: Carol Rumens’ ‘The Emigree’ vs Seamus Heaney’s ‘Storm on an Island’ | AQA GCSE English Literature Power and Conflict Poetry

Below, I’ll demonstrate how we can apply these steps to a comparison between two GCSE Power and Conflict poems – Carol Rumens’ ‘The Emigree’ and Seamus Heaney’s ‘Storm on an Island’. 

You can refer to the texts here (The Emigree) and here (Storm on an Island).

In ‘Emigree’, the persona is a political exile (hence the title) who has left her home country to escape political persecution. In the poem, she reminisces about her native city with nostalgic fondness, while conveying her awareness of the tyrannical threat that lurks in the shadows of her past. In a nutshell, she misses home but knows that she will probably never be able to return. 

The main idea of ‘Storm in an Island’ is that we’re often afraid of things that aren’t out to get us. We prepare for potential dangers, and yet are unaware that we can’t always prepare for them, or that they usually turn out to not be dangerous at all. In this poem, the persona initially sees nature as a force of threat, but ultimately understands that while nature is forceful, it doesn’t have to be threatening. 

Main idea 1: Preserving the home against external dangers  

• In ‘The Emigree’, the persona fights back against her political persecutors by preserving a pure memory of her home city
• In ‘Storm’, the persona braces himself for a potentially devastating storm by fortifying the structures of his home
• Techniques used: war and natural imagery

Main idea 2: Reality vs expectation / ideal

• In ‘The Emigree’, the persona would ideally like to return to her city, but it is implied that those in power back home do not welcome her presence.
• In ‘Storm’, the persona anticipates a threatening storm, but ultimately realises that it’s much less destructive than he had expected it to be.
• Techniques used: alliteration (plosives vs sibilants) 

Main idea 3: The turbulent nature of life 

• In ‘The Emigree’, the persona is unmoored from her roots, and as an exile, she constantly struggles with conflicted emotions about wanting to return and yet knowing that she probably can never do so.
• In ‘Storm’, nature is seen to be a turbulent force that changes in ways humans can’t quite anticipate.
• Techniques used: enjambment and varied lineation 

Both ‘The Emigree’ and ‘Storm on an Island’ present the individual in the face of external dangers, whether real or imagined. However, while Rumens’ persona faces the threat of political persecution, and chooses to counter it by preserving a purer memory of her home, Heaney’s persona over-calculates the dangers of the storm, and eventually discovers that his fear of nature is largely unjustified. 

Bit of a mammoth post, I know, but I hope this helps break down the poetry comparison process into digestible chunks! If you have any questions, reach out to me here .

To read other study guides, check out my posts below: 

• How to ace any Shakespeare question
• How to analyse any unseen poem – 3 top tips
• How to revise for English Literature – 8 top tips

share this with a friend!

• Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)

Leave a comment Cancel reply

• Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
• Subscribe Subscribed
• Copy shortlink
• Report this content
• View post in Reader
• Manage subscriptions
• Collapse this bar

• Primary Hub
• Art & Design
• Design & Technology
• Health & Wellbeing
• Secondary Hub
• Citizenship
• Primary CPD
• Secondary CPD
• Book Awards
• All Products
• Primary Products
• Secondary Products
• School Trips
• Trip Directory
• Trips by Subject
• Trips by Type
• Trips by Region
• Submit a Trip Venue

Trending stories

Top results

• How To Write The Perfect Comparative Essay On Poetry

Poetry comparison – How to write the perfect comparative essay

When it comes to poetry analysis, Phil Beadle knows what examiners want to see – and he’s here to make sure you can help every student can deliver it

Poetry comparison – or writing a comparative essay about two poems, seen or unseen – is what students will eventually be assessed on when they come to sit the poetry analysis part of their English Literature GCSE .

It makes sense, therefore, to get some early poetry comparison practice in. See what the assessment criteria will be asking for in preparation for the day the stakes are high.

The first door we must knock on is the one housing the crone of context. What the GCSE mark schemes will eventually ask for is a well constructed, conceptual response replete with oodles of subject terminology and a fairly deep mention of context.

It asks students to do this, however, in very little time. It also ignores the fact that contextual analysis in poetry – aside from the obvious modern/ancient dichotomy – is a rich brew that requires, firstly, a lot of contextual knowledge.

Also ignored is the fact that the biographical takes you away from the textual. Since the value in poetry analysis is the study of how words and form align to construct beauty or its antithesis, mention of context inevitably takes you into the realms of history. This is a whole other subject.

Poetry comparison example

Resources: ‘My Last Duchess’, by Robert Browning ‘Remains’, by Simon Armitage

Context – theme

So, my recommendation to students when constructing the first paragraph of a poetry comparison essay is, if appropriate, to make glancing reference to the titles. Only go so far as linking these to comparison of theme. The contextual is in the thematic.

On comparing theme, they should make explicit reference to the word ‘subtextual’. This flags to the examiner that this is an answer rich in apposite use of subject terminology quite early on. For example:

“The subtextual theme of ‘My Last Duchess’ is that sexual jealousy can cause the empowered (in this case titled) men – or, indeed, just men – to so lose their minds. They become murderous. Whereas the subtextual theme of ‘Remains’ links to the ambiguities of the title.

“As a noun, it links to the idea of the human remains of the looter around which the narrative revolves. As a verb, all that is left is memory.

“Both these poems linger around ideas of memory. Both narrators are tortured. But whereas the narrator in ‘Remains’ realises that he is stained by his actions, the narrator of ‘My Last Duchess’ is oblivious and has learned altogether nothing.”

Structure – rhyme

This is as far as we might want to go with context. Otherwise, we are addressing the poetic with its opposite and scribing a list of dates.

So, the next paragraph should examine structure. We do so by using rhyme scheme and form as a way of unlocking it. First of all, say what you see and, where possible, state the form:

“‘My Last Duchess’ is from Browning’s collection of ‘Dramatic Monologues’. It’s a substantial block of text with one person, the Duke, speaking. ‘Remains’ is seven quatrain stanzas and a couplet.”

Analysis of rhyme scheme

This is simple to do and gives students an opportunity to shovel a bit of subject terminology the examiners’ way. Generally, it is best to leave this unanalysed however. This is because analysis of rhyme scheme is much richer in terms of unlocking structure.

“The rhyme scheme in ‘My Last Duchess’ is in perfect couplets. On the other hand, ‘Remains’ is the epitome of deliberate irregularity.

“If one is to take this as a symbolic suggestion of the degree of order in both dramatic and moral worlds, one might conclude that the world of the former poem is ordered and correct, whereas that of the latter is chaotic and incongruent.

“There is an irony in the Duke speaking in perfect rhyme, being able to rhyme “munificence” and “pretence” and then suggesting he has no “Skill in speech”. This suggests him to be the liar he is.

“But the more interesting approach is in ‘Remains’: three out of four of the end words in stanza one, in which the looters raid the bank, are repeated in stanza six, when the incident is replayed in the narrator’s memory.

“The fact that only three of the four words -“out”, “bank”, “not” – are repeated suggests the decay of memory. Internal rhyme also plays a part in the pivot between action turning into memory. The fourth stanza features eye rhymes ”agony”, “by”, “body” before going into near perfect rhyme that carries on into the next stanza, “lorry”, “really”.

“But “really” is an add on, a coda to the phrase “End of story”. It suggests that the death of the looter should have been the finish of the event, but that there is an unpleasant coda. This is the fact that memory ‘remains’.”

You can get a lot from a poem through examining the rhyme in detail.

Metre – stress

From there, we go onto a fairly stunted form of metrical analysis; and we do this precisely because others avoid it.

I am not suggesting that students attempt analysis of trochees and anapests. After all, to our modern untrained ears, the differences between stressed and unstressed syllables can be unfathomable.

But where there is obvious metric change, we take this as a signal from the poet to pay special attention to this line (and to analyse it).

“ Metrically, ‘My Last Duchess’ appears to be in tetrameter with the odd substitution, “I call”. This, again, might be taken to suggest the narrator’s level of control over his circumstances.

“ The metre in ‘Remains’ is used to create specific effects. It is broadly irregular except in stanzas one, three and six (even, event, recall) where it goes into tetrameter.

“ The substitutions on “Sleep” and “Dream”, however, give a jarring effect, an elongated stutter, a metric pause. This sets up the brief moment of peace before the nightmare of replayed events comes back to haunt him.”

Language – reflections

We do not go over the top with metrical analysis. Just one comparison is enough to let the examiner know we are on top of the brief.

“We do not go over the top with metrical analysis”

From there, we divert into the linguistic. Show the examiner that you can recognise the idea that the soundtrack of the poem is somehow a representation or mirror of the poem’s themes. One killer comparison is all we need:

“Ultimately, the distinction is between a narrator rich in self delusion and one haunted by self knowledge. Both are murderers, but one has no guilt over an action he considered before committing. The other took a rapid action that now haunts him.

“The difference in consideration is signalled by the punctuation. There is a difference between the time implied by the commas in “probably armed, possibly not” and the semi colons in “This grew; I gave commands; then all smiles stopped together”.

“It tells us much about their comparative level of ruthlessness and design at the moment of decision. There is also a distinction in maturity that is signalled by the howling childishness of the ‘oo’ sounds in “forsooth”, “choose” and “stoop” and the deadening emotional stutter of pain in the repetitive ‘n’ sounds in the penultimate line of ‘Remains’.”

And as for conclusions for your comparisons in poetry essay, don’t bother. We haven’t got the time, and they are always rubbish anyway.

Phil Beadle is a teacher and the author of several books. This includes Rules for Mavericks: A Manifesto for dissident creatives (Crown House). Check out our AQA English Literature Paper 1 revision resource .

Sign up to our newsletter

You'll also receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Which sectors are you interested in?

Early Years

Thank you for signing up to our emails!

You might also be interested in...

Why join Teachwire?

Get what you need to become a better teacher with unlimited access to exclusive free classroom resources and expert CPD downloads.

Exclusive classroom resource downloads

Free worksheets and lesson plans

CPD downloads, written by experts

Resource packs to supercharge your planning

Special web-only magazine editions

Educational podcasts & resources

Access to free literacy webinars

Newsletters and offers

Create free account

By signing up you agree to our terms and conditions and privacy policy .

Already have an account? Log in here

Thanks, you're almost there

To help us show you teaching resources, downloads and more you’ll love, complete your profile below.

Welcome to Teachwire!

Set up your account.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet consectetur adipisicing elit. Commodi nulla quos inventore beatae tenetur.

I would like to receive regular updates from Teachwire with free lesson plans, great new teaching ideas, offers and more. (You can unsubscribe at any time.)

Log in to Teachwire

Not registered with Teachwire? Sign up for free

Reset Password

Remembered your password? Login here

Writing About Literature

Edit site title and tagline from dashboard > appearance > customize > site identity.

Essay 1: Comparing Two Poems

Post your ideas for the first essay below. This is a good place to test thesis statements and topics and to discuss the finer details of the assignment.

Review the prompt and details for this assignment on Blackboard.

28 thoughts on “ Essay 1: Comparing Two Poems ”

Thesis: In this essay, I will show how “Thirteen Ways to Look at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens and “Theme for English B” by Langston Hughes both have themes relation to human emotions and analyze the execution presenting such themes.

Kyla, this is a great start! Try and focus in on a specific emotion that you read in both of these poems. I’m immediately inclined to point out fear or perhaps love, but there are certainly other emotions described or implied in each poem even if they are not explicitly named.

Thesis: “Ozymandias” and “My Last Duchess” are two poems that both describe works of art, a sculpture and a painting, respectively, both of which depict a deceased person. These artworks act as masks that hide the subjects’ real nature, as well as depicting the sum of their life’s work.

Petvy, this is a good overview for your essay. Your thesis statement might want to argue that the dead figures depicted in each work of art are similar and/or different in important ways. For instance, Ozymandias seems to have had a hand in the commissioning of his statue and seems to have held a great deal of power while he was alive. But the Duchess had her portrait commissioned by her husband and was ultimately (we may presume) murdered on her husband’s orders. While she lived, she seemed not to have much power (according to my reading, but perhaps you can prove otherwise). Do these figures fare differently as works of art? Ozymandias’s broken statue seems a bit embarrassing and ironic. The painting of Duchess, however, is a subtler presence: do you think the Duke remains jealous or fearful of her even after her death?

“Sonnet 73” and “Sonnet 116” are two different, yet very similar poems that use metaphors, imagery, and meter to portray the beauty and everlasting effect of love.

Karyna, commenting on the mystical qualities of love in Shakespeare’s sonnets is a great starting point for this essay. But know that every poem uses metaphor, imagery, and meter. What you’ll need to show is how the Shakespearean sonnet form (fourteen lines divided into three quatrains and a final conceit expressed in the closing couplet), exemplified in the two sonnets you’ve chosen, works within certain formal constraints to explore what you call “the beauty and everlasting effect of love.” I don’t see a hopeful outlook on love (by which I think you mean romantic love within the confines of a marriage?) in Sonnet 73. That poem is more pensive and is concerned with “lov[ing] that well which thou must leave ere long.” In other words, enjoy the moment because this love is not going to last. This seems to be the antithesis to “the beauty and everlasting effect of love,” so if you keep with the theme you’ve chosen, Sonnet 73 should act as a sort of foil to Sonnet 116. If you’re going to talk about “metaphors, imagery, and meter,” you would do better to focus on elements like tone or mood, personification, or simile, as well as sonic qualities of the poem where you notice them, such as alliteration, assonance, and consonance, and repeated or closely related words. Always use adjectives to describe the tone, mood, imagery, meter, or any other literary device you’re scrutinizing. Using any of these terms without an accompanying adjective doesn’t tell your audience anything they won’t already know.

How do you start to do this? Reading each poem very closely! Start by breaking the poem into sections (quatrains and couplets) and then into lines and finally phrases or single words.

The two poems I have selected for this Essay is Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening by Robert Frost and It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free by William Wordsworth. The theme I am focusing on is nature and the influence it had on both characters in certain ways.

Tayyab, this is a good start. You’ll need to explicitly show what you mean by “nature” because it’s a broad term. You’ll also need to be more specific than to simply state that nature has an “influence… on both characters in certain ways.”

Here are some questions to get you started:

How, specifically, does Wordsworth’s speaker respond to the beauty and calmness and freedom of the evening by the seashore? Is the little girl part of “nature,” as you understand the term? How, specifically, does Frost’s speaker respond to the cold and the snow of the evening, to the woods, to his little horse, to the miles he still has to go before he can sleep? Does it matter that the speaker “thinks” he knows whose woods he stops by?

Do these speaker’s make similar resolutions? Do they have similar responses to their surroundings? What is important about the similarities or differences you see in these responses, and why?

John Milton’s “On His Blindness” and Sir Phillip Sydney’s Sonnet 1 are both examples of poems that discuss an artist’s relationship to his work and his struggle to find inspiration and meaning in his work. In “On His Blindness”, the author finds it in a higher being while in Sonnet 1 he finds it in another person.

Ilya, I like the contrast you’re setting up between these two sonnets. Besides Milton’s overt deference to God and Sidney’s Muse’s admonition that he need only look into his heart to find the words by which to express his love for his beloved, Milton emphasizes Talent while Sidney emphasizes a progression of interconnected, interdependent, personified ideas: Knowledge, Pleasure, Nature, Invention, Study, etc. Milton wants to avoid wasting his talent, while Sidney needs to be reminded by his Muse to look into his heart. Maybe there’s some room for comparison and contrast here.

Also worth comparing are the voices that speak in each poem: the murmuring voice of “On His Blindness” and the Muse in “Sonnet 1.” Can you make any connections between these two voices?

John Keats’ “Ode on a Grecian Urn” and Robert Browning’s “My Last Duchess” both concern the appreciation of beauty in its stillness. In “Ode on a Grecian Urn”, the speaker is content with the immortalization of movement and strong emotion while in “My Last Duchess”, the speaker is satisfied with keeping his previously outgoing wife still and controlled as a painting.

Chiara, comparing these poems is a very logical move, since they are both ekphrastic poems (talk about ekphrasis in your essay!).

Is the speaker of “Ode on a Grecian Urn” truly, as you say, content? What, then, do we make of his exclamation, “Cold Pastoral!” Pastoral is poetry about an idyllic, restful life in the countryside. But “Cold” vexes this sunny view of pastoral—interpreting the meaning of “Cold” in this line will go a long way toward defending your reading of the speaker’s response to the urn. I do like the ways you’re reading the two poems.

Although “Sonnet 73” by William Shakespeare and “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens both talk about similar issues, they are able to talk about different aspects of the same idea using there unique poetic writing style.

Jordan, you’ll have to work on this thesis statement. To say both poets have a “unique poetic writing style” doesn’t tell your audience anything. Shakespeare’s sonnet is, formally speaking, a very different poem from Stevens’s “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird,” which has no rhyme scheme, meter, or fixed stanza. More importantly, what are the “similar issues” these poems talk about? Again, “similar issues” shows your audience nothing. Note the specific similarities in your introductory paragraph and show how your reading of the poems will bring new similarities and differences to light.

In this paper, I will analyze how both Robert Frost in, “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” and Emily Dickinson in “Because I Could Not Stop For Death,” utilize irony to portray death with a paradoxical approach. Dickinson uses irony in her poem by relating a serious topic of death with a soft-approach and tone, treating it as a journey. Likewise, in “Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening,” the speaker wants to stop and admire the beauty of the tranquility in the woods, but cannot due to the obligations he still has to fulfill. Frost thus uses irony to convey how the speaker has responsibilities in life before he can “enjoy” a more calmer occasion, such as resting, or even death.

Love this! Keep building on these ideas.

“The Snow Man” and “The Learn’d Astronomer” employ the themes of nature and man. “The Snow Man” paints the scene of a winter landscape, while “The Learn’d Astronomer” demonstrates the battle between scientific knowledge and natural knowledge of the stars. Both poems involve a higher perspective of thinking: “The Snow Man” promotes an objective view of nature, while “The Learn’d Astronomer” advances that experience and wisdom are the key to true knowledge.

Mary, I really like the ideas you’re working through here. I would question the “objective view of nature” you posit to be present in “The Snow Man.” What, then, do we do with the lines “for the listener, who listens in the snow, / And, nothing himself, beholds / Nothing that is not there and the nothing that is.” I can see how one might read this as an “objective view of nature,” as you do. And this is a good reading. I wonder whether the ambiguity of these lines might necessitate further explanation. Similarly, in Whitman’s poem, that learn’d astronomer himself seems to present the speaker and the students in the auditorium with an “objective view of nature.” Keeping in mind that what we now call science used to be called “natural philosophy,” I think you might mean to contrast “scientific knowledge” with “poetic knowledge.” Does this get closer to the position you’re trying to uphold?

Thesis: In “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Blackbird” by Wallace Stevens and “Because I Could Not Stop For Death” by Emily Dickinson, both poems utilize different literary devices such as vivid imagery that generates very dark undertones, that help develop the common theme of irony shared between the two.

Lanz, the questions you’ll have to address, if you keep this thesis unchanged, include the following. What is it about the imagery of these poems that can be called “vivid”? Likewise, can you give specific examples (perhaps images that seem similar or even the same between the two poems) of what you mean by “imagery that generates very dark undertones?” Dark in hue, or dark in mood? Both? One or the other, depending on the poem? What is ironic about each poem, and how does irony help us to better understand the speaker of Dickinon’s poem in relation to Death, and the speaker(s) in Stevens’s poem in relation to a blackbird?

The victims of time often are forced to face their own mortality, this phenomenon occurs throughout Shakespeare’s “Sonnet 60” and “Sonnet 64”. Imagery rooted in metaphorical language (generally alluding to themes regarding nature) in addition to structural parallelism (or lack thereof) creates an overarching theme across poems: Time is an enemy, and occasionally a paradoxical entity.

Cory, comparing these two sonnets is going to give you plenty to say. I think you can get even more specific than simply saying Shakespeare uses nature imagery. He uses imagery of oceans and shores, farms and fields, etc. “Nature” by itself could mean everything that is not myself, i.e., my mind. The shared theme of Time as something to be resisted through cultivating an appreciation for the fullness of life and youth is a great anchor to your more particularized readings of the imagery and its function within each respective poem.

For my essay, I will be comparing Robert Browning, “My Last Duchess” and Robert Frost, “Stopping by Woods on a Snowy Evening”. I am interested in the way the story gets told in each poem. I don’t know what it is called though! The majority of Frost’s poem is the person being distracted by the woods. At the end, he regains focus and continues walking. The majority of My Last Duchess is the person complaining about his ex in a painting. At the end, he dismisses it and moves onto Neptune. I need help determining what this is called, but this is what I want the focus of my essay to be of.

Joe, I’m wondering whether you might consider the differences between solitude and society in these poems. On one reading Frost’s speaker is very much alone in the woods, and yet he is not lonely. He knows there’s a village and an acquaintance (perhaps the owner of the woods might even be surmised to be a friend) nearby. He knows he has a place to sleep at the end of his journey. Perhaps it’s in a warm, familiar place, or perhaps it’s an eternal sleep with a community of souls who have died.

Browning’s speaker, Ferrara, on the other hand, enjoys all the comforts of an obedient court, a rapt audience in the courtly attendant of his new fiancée, and a house filled with fine art commissioned by some of the best artists available for hire. And yet, in a very important, poignant way, he is utterly alone in spite of all his power. This is the thing people never seem to understand about power. It breeds isolation and distrust.

I think the word you’re looking for is persona. The persona of the speaker in Frost’s poem seems more genuinely self-assured than the confident yet jealous Ferrara.

Thanks for the reply?

Meant to say Thanks for the reply! With an exclamation not a question mark, now I sound sarcastic. I will definitely try to make comparison on Persona.

The two poems I will talk about in my essay are, “Thirteen Ways of Looking at a Black Bird” and “Because I Could Not Stop for Death”. The common theme I will talk about between the two poems is Death.

Aiden, make sure in your opening paragraph, and in your thesis, to note specific ways each poem reflects on death. In Dickinson’s poem, Death is personified and takes on concrete characteristics (“He kindly stopped for me”). In Stevens’s poem, however, death is not personified and is more implied that openly articulated in the presence, absence, activity, or stillness of the blackbird or the scene in which the blackbird is involved. What role might literary devices like irony, sarcasm, innuendo, or mood play in each poem’s characterization(s) of death? What is clear or unclear about how the speaker thinks about or avoids thinking about death? Can either poem be said to be mournful? Obviously, there’s an endless font of questions to draw from. By articulating your reading of the particular ways in which each poem reflects on death early in your own essay, you’ll hopefully limit the range of possible interpretive questions to something manageable for a five-page paper.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Need help with the Commons?

Email us at [email protected] so we can respond to your questions and requests. Please email from your CUNY email address if possible. Or visit our help site for more information:

• Terms of Service
• Accessibility
• Creative Commons (CC) license unless otherwise noted

CMP102 - Composition 2 - Taylor: Poetry Essay: Comparison/Contrast Assignment

• Access and FAQ's
• Poetry Essay: Comparison/Contrast Assignment
• Snap!Search
• Need help with citations?

Poetry Essay: Comparison/Contrast Assignment Details

• Innocence and Experience   p. 74
• Conformity and Rebellion     p. 316
• Culture and Identity              p. 534
• Love and Hate                      p. 858
• Life and Death                      p. 1122
• Find two (2) poems from within that section that, after reading, you feel you "digested" them well. They may be very much alike or very different
• Do you SSSSTTh and F of S. Find one or two things about each poem that you thought were special.
• Following your comparison/contrast sheet for your essay. Be sure to write down the sources you may have used from the library.
• Don't forget your cover page and Work Cited page.
• When finished you should feel as if you have given the reader of your paper a good understanding of the poems.
• Proofread/revise.
• Go to the Writing Center if you would like some help.
• Remember - you have many chances to make this paper better (peer editing, revision). 

About the Comparison/Contrast Essay

A comparison/contrast essay weighs the differences and sometimes similarities between two distinct things: two boyfriends, high school vs. college courses, your first car with the car you have now, two of your children or a brother and sister, etc. As always it is important to do some pre-writing to be sure you have enough "ammunition" to write a complete essay. 

In this assignment, your job will be to compare/contrast two poems. If you turn to page xvii, you will see four basic themes - Parents, Nature, Love, and War. Pick the subject that interests you the most. Pick one or two poems from that section or pick one poem from that section and find a second poem that has the theme you have chosen. Do a poetry analysis sheet for each poem to be sure you ave a good grasp. If not, pick a different poem. 

• Pick your poems. It might be a good idea to skim a few poems so that you choose two that truly interest you. 
• Once you have picked your two poems, you should do a poetry analysis sheet for each poem. Maybe you will decide you do not like these poems or the poet. Maybe you will decide you don't understand the poems. This is an important step. It always helps to somewhat enjoy what you are doing. 
• Now your poetry analysis sheet is completed and you have a grasp of the poems. Pick the 3 or 4 sections of the analysis sheet in which you have the most to say. Two of your choices should be situation and theme. Now for the format:

Introduction  - (Just what the name says!) Your job in this paragraph is to introduce the reader to the tow poems. It would be good to give an overview about your choices, perhaps why you made your choices. Be sure to say the poet's name and the name of the two poems. Remember our introduction discussion. (7-8 s.)

First Body Paragraph  - Give the best information you have about the first poem (S,S,S,S,Tone, Theme, F of S). You need not use all our analysis, just where you have a better grasp. You want the reader to truly understand the poem. If you find you do not have much to say, perhaps you should have picked another poem. (12-14 s.)

Second Body Paragraph  - Now you are writing to about your second poem. Keep a keen eye on what aspects you chose to write about in the first poem since it makes sense to be somewhat similar or entirely different. Try to follow the same order you wrote in for your first body paragraph since that will make your paper clearer for your reader and more of a comparison/contrast. (12-1 s.)

Conclusion - Sum it up. Why do you suppose these poems are in your text? Might they be there in 100 years? Would you like to meet this author? Did this poets life have an influence on what the poet says? These are things your reader may be interested to know (5-7 s.)

• << Previous: Access and FAQ's
• Next: Snap!Search >>
• Last Updated: Oct 23, 2023 1:44 PM
• URL: https://library.northshore.edu/CMP102Taylor

• How to Cite
• Language & Lit
• Rhyme & Rhythm
• The Rewrite
• Search Glass

How to Compare and Contrast Two Poems

When you compare and contrast two poems, focus on similarities and differences between the themes, tone, imagery and language . You might compare and contrast two poems by the same author to show how the poet uses diverse methods to get her points across. Or, you might compare and contrast poems by different authors.

Focus on the Themes

Show how two poems have similar or different themes such as romantic love, death or courage. For example, you might compare and contrast themes in the epic poem "Beowulf" with those in "The Odyssey" by Homer. The two poems are similar because both contain themes of courage, honor, loyalty, hospitality and duty. However, Beowulf also contains themes about revenge and tribal allegiances, and "The Odyssey" contains themes about free will.

Examine the Mood and Tone

Two poems by the same author can have similar or different moods and tones . For example, you might compare and contrast two poems by the same author, such as "A Prayer in Spring" and "A Late Walk," by Robert Frost. The poems are similar because both focus on the wonders of nature and the changing seasons. However, "A Prayer in Spring" has a cheerful, delightful tone and a peaceful, grateful mood. Conversely, "A Late Walk" has a melancholy, somber tone and a depressing, pessimistic mood. Frost effectively differentiates the beauty of spring in one with the barrenness of fall in the other .

Study Imagery in Both Poems

Poets often use imagery and symbolism to reveal important truths about man and nature. Compare and contrast the use of imagery and symbolism in one poem with another poem from the same era. For example, you might compare and contrast Emily Dickinson's poem "Because I Could Not Stop for Death" with Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven." The two poems are similar because they deal with themes of death and loss, and both poets use imagery to reveal truths about death . However, Dickinson uses a pleasant carriage ride with a gentlemanly driver, the sunset and a house as a final resting place to show the inevitable, yet understandable and acceptable, role death plays in human lives. Poe uses an ominous, haunting raven who only utters "nevermore" to represent the dark, unwelcoming finality of death.

Evaluate the Language, Style and Format

Examine the language, style and format of both poems to find similarities and differences. Look at the author's choice of words, the meter, rhythm and the length of each line or stanza. For example, some poets prefer one-syllable words and short lines, such as Dr. Seuss, and others, such as William Wordsworth, prefer multisyllable words and long lines or stanzas. Consult with your teacher to determine how technical she wants your comparisons and contrasts to be, such as whether she wants you to discuss iambic pentameter, stressed syllables and feet.

• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill -- The Writing Center: Comparing and Contrasting
• Santiago Canyon College: English 102 -- Essay #2 -- Writing About Poetry; Professor Maureen Roe
• The Odyssey; Homer
• Poem Hunter: A Prayer in Spring; Robert Frost
• Poem Hunter: A Late Walk; Robert Frost
• Poetry Foundation: Because I Could Not Stop for Death; Emily Dickinson
• Poetry Foundation: The Raven; Edgar Allan Poe

As curriculum developer and educator, Kristine Tucker has enjoyed the plethora of English assignments she's read (and graded!) over the years. Her experiences as vice-president of an energy consulting firm have given her the opportunity to explore business writing and HR. Tucker has a BA and holds Ohio teaching credentials.

14 Poems to Compare and Contrast Like an Expert

Ever heard the adage “don’t compare apples to oranges?” We all know what it means: comparing the two doesn’t make practical sense because they are very different.

But have you ever stopped and thought about how you might literally compare apples and oranges? Let’s make a quick list.

Similarities

• Both are fruits.
• Both have seeds.
• You can make juice with either.
• You can get both at the grocery store.
• Both contain vitamin C.

Differences

• Apples have a thin exterior; oranges do not.
• Oranges already come in slices; apples do not.
• Oranges are typically sourer than apples.
• They are different colors.
• Apples have more varieties.

Huh. That’s a rather successful comparison, don’t you think?

In a similar way, you can compare poems that don’t immediately seem to have anything in common. Read this post to learn about 14 poems to compare and contrast like an expert.

Two Poems to Compare and Contrast Based on Objects as Symbols

“sunflower sutra” by allen ginsberg vs. “ah sun-flower” by william blake.

You’ve likely done a compare and contrast essay before (if not, check out tips on how to write a compare and contrast essay ). Fortunately, comparing poems isn’t much different.

For this type of compare and contrast essay, you’ll need to come up with similarities and differences between two or more poems and organize them cohesively within your essay. I know that sounds like a lot to ask, but that’s why I’m here to help.

First, when you have two or more poems, you need to find a central similarity or difference that will connect the poems together. Maybe the poems have similar themes or themes that are completely opposite of one another. Maybe the poems use the same object, but the symbolism of the object means something different in each poem.

To give you an example, both Allen Ginsberg and William Blake use the image of the sunflower. But the meaning of each poem varies wildly.

• In Allen Ginsberg’s Sunflower Sutra,  he talks about the sunflower as an object of spiritual enlightenment and a method of understanding one’s true nature.
• In William Blake’s Ah! Sun-flower,  he uses the sunflower to symbolize the relationship between innocence and experience.

If you wanted to compare (and contrast) those two poems, your thesis statement might look something like this:

Though Ginsberg uses the sunflower to symbolize a pathway to self-knowledge and Blake emphasizes the sunflower’s movement from innocence to experience, both use the sunflower as a means to explain an epiphany.

Essentially, you want to include the biggest similarity or difference in your thesis statement to create your argument .

Then, in your body paragraphs, you’ll need to use smaller similarities or differences to back up your argument. Many times, comparing the diction (word choice) the poets use in relation to the primary similarity or difference will highlight your argument well.

Keep in mind that there are two main ways to approach the organization of your compare and contrast essay. You could do one of two things:

• Talk completely about one poem. Then move on to the next, so they are distinct portions of your essay. 
• Discuss the poems together paragraph by paragraph. What’s important is that you stay consistent throughout your essay with whatever organizational method you use.

Check out these examples of compare and contrast essays .

Comparing Two Poems by the Same Poet

“arrival of the bee box” vs. “stings” by sylvia plath.

Because of a myriad of similarities, you can often find good starting points when you compare two poems by the same poet.

Click To Tweet

Let’s use a couple of Sylvia Plath’s poems about beekeeping for an example.

In Arrival of the Bee Box , Plath speaks about her terror and wonder at the bees she has purchased. Because she uses imagery such as “African hands” and “I need feed them nothing, I am the owner,” she draws a direct correlation to slavery.  Similarly, in  Stings , Plath writes about the drudgery that is being a woman. The language she uses in “Stings” suggests that womanhood is yet another type of slavery. Furthermore, in both poems, there are references to attempts at freedom near the end.

With slavery and freedom as your thematic tie between the poems, you can then use diction and symbolism within the poems to mention how they’re different and how they’re similar.

Two Poems to Compare and Contrast by Poets of the Same Time Period

“on the sea” by john keats vs. “by the sea” by william wordsworth.

Another way to find poems that work well for compare and contrast essays is to look for poems in the same style or from the same time period.

If you were to look for poems to compare and contrast, you would find a wealth of good poems within the poetry of the Romantics . Their poetry movement frequently uses elements of nature to represent or validate human relationships.

For instance, you could compare John Keat’s poem  On the Sea   with William Wordsworth’s poem By the Sea .  In these poems, both poets use religious language to discuss the nature of the sea , though Wordsworth has a much gentler idea of what the sea is capable of.

By noting the similarities and differences in their descriptions, you can get to the essence of what each poet is trying to say. Then you can argue why that is the case.

Check out this resource for more help on  finding the themes of the poems you plan to compare and contrast .  

Comparing Two Poems of the Same Poetic Form

“acquainted with the night” by robert frost vs. “sonnet 27” by william shakespeare.

When you’re comparing poems, it helps to take a look at what poetic forms the poets used. Though this method of comparison might not be as fruitful with free-form poems, structured poems work well.

For instance, if you wanted to compare Acquainted with the Night  by Robert Frost and Sonnet 27  by William Shakespeare , you might notice that you have two sonnets on your hands.

These poems are best described as Shakespearean sonnets, where the last two lines constitute the “turn” or a sudden realization of the poem. Both use the sonnet form to mention how the night works upon them.

Both speakers are restless and find no reprieve in the darkness. However, while Shakespeare stays true to the traditional sonnet form, Frost breaks up his poem into stanzas of three lines each. This may serve to mirror the speaker’s own unusual behavior.

In this way, you can use the poems’ forms as a method of comparison, stating with how the form relates to the content and how each poem uses the form to serve a unique purpose.

Six More Poems to Compare and Contrast

Now that you have a good idea how to find good poems to compare and contrast, here are some more ideas of poems that you could successfully write about in your essay.

A Supermarket in California by Allen Ginsberg vs. The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock by T.S. Eliot 

Both poems discuss social anxiety and analyze the nature of society as a whole

The Shoelace by Charles Bukowski vs. Waking in the Blue by Robert Lowell 

Both poems address an understanding of insanity. “The Shoelace” discusses a more down-to-earth, commonplace idea of what constitutes madness. Lowell focuses on a view of the mentally unstable from the view of prominent families.

Langston Hughes’ poems I, Too vs. My People  

These poems focus primarily on the equal treatment of African Americans, both noting that all people are inherently beautiful.

Moving Forward to Crush Your Next Assignment

Often, your instructor will make suggestions about which poems would work well for your assignment. Looking back at the poems you studied in class and looking for similarities like the ones mentioned in earlier sections will point you in the right direction.

Then, when you have decided on the poems to compare and contrast, start with a compare and contrast outline to start off on the right foot. Then, when you’re ready with a working draft (or polishing up a final one), have a  professional editor at Kibin  give your essay a once-over before you turn in your next assignment!

Psst... 98% of Kibin users report better grades! Get inspiration from over 500,000 example essays .

About the Author

Andra V. (they/them), in addition to writing and editing for Kibin , is the author of Body Until Light , Time Counts Backward from Infinity , and two chapbooks of poetry. They lead creative writing workshops and believe that art, poetry, and aesthetics are forms of divinity. They live the revolution of queerness and are very happily settled with a nesting partner, two bunnies, and a spinning wheel at their home in Portland, OR.

• literary analysis
• thesis statements

Writing a comparative response on perspectives of war and sacrifice in WW1 poems

I can write a detailed comparative response to answer the question: ‘Compare how the concept of dying at war is presented in Naidu’s ‘The Gift of India’ and one other poem.’

Lesson details

Key learning points.

• A comparative thesis statement introduces the two poems and your overall ideas in relation to the question.
• A comparative topic sentence states the focus of the paragraph and links it back to the thesis statement.
• Comparative conjunctions should be used to compare language, form and structure of poems

Common misconception

A comparative essay should deal with each poem separately in the body of the essay.

While one method of comparison might be to deal with each poem separately, you might also consider comparing the poems throughout the essay and instead splitting up the essay thematically or by methods.

Comparative - A comparative is judging the similarities and differences between one thing and another.

Ruminate - To ruminate is to think deeply about something.

Topic sentence - A topic sentence supports the thesis statement while explaining the specific focus of the paragraph.

Romanticise - To romanticise something is to describe in an idealised or unrealistic fashion to make it seem more appealing than it really is.

Conjunctions - A conjunction is a word such as ‘while’ or ‘although’ that connects words, phrases, and clauses in a sentence.

Content guidance

• Depiction or discussion of violence or suffering

Supervision

Adult supervision recommended

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited ( 2024 ), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Starter quiz

6 questions.

'The Soldier' -  

'The Gift of India' -  

'In Flanders Fields' -  

The soldier

The dead soldiers

Additional material

Compare And-Contrast-Two-Poems (Essay Example)

Bruce Alper

In “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost explores the idea of choices and the consequences they have on one’s life. The poem follows the speaker as he comes to a fork in the road and must decide which path to take. The choice he makes will ultimately shape his future. This theme of individuality and taking the road less traveled is a common motif in Frost’s work, as he often writes about the importance of making independent choices and not following the crowd. The poem’s tone is reflective and contemplative, as the speaker looks back on his decision with a sense of nostalgia and wonder. On the other hand, Langston Hughes’ poem “I, Too” focuses on the theme of identity and racial equality. The speaker in the poem asserts his place in society, declaring that he too is American and deserving of equal treatment. The poem is a powerful statement on the African American experience in America, highlighting the struggle for acceptance and equality. Unlike Frost’s poem, “I, Too” has a more defiant and assertive tone, as the speaker refuses to be marginalized or overlooked. The imagery in the poem is vivid and evocative, painting a picture of a future where all people are treated with respect and dignity. In conclusion, both “The Road Not Taken” by Robert Frost and “I, Too” by Langston Hughes are powerful poems that explore themes of individuality and identity. While Frost’s poem focuses on the importance of making independent choices and following one’s own path, Hughes’ poem highlights the struggle for racial equality and acceptance in a society that often marginalizes minority voices. Despite their differences in tone and imagery, both poems ultimately convey a message of empowerment and resilience in the face of adversity.

Need AI Essays That Can Bypass AI Detection? Try Our List of Undetectable AI Essay Writers Below That Can Bypass AI Detectors.

Essay AI: AI Essay Writer - Essay Generator - Avoid AI Detection

Essayai is the ultimate undetectable ai essay writer to generate 100% human essays and papers. remove ai detection and…, ai essay writer - free essay writing assistant | essaywriter, unlock the power of the ai essay writer with essaywriter. our free ai essay writing assistant is here to help you write….

essaywriter.io

https://essaygpt.hix.ai/

AI Essay Writer (Undetectable AI) - Essay Generator | EssayFlow

Essayflow is an undetectable ai essay writer that generates human-like, plagiarism-free essays. try our free essay….

essayflow.ai

Written by Bruce Alper

Text to speech

AQA ENGLISH LITERATURE: PAPER 2

How to answer a poetry comparison question, the second question you’ll answer on english literature paper 2 will be the poetry comparison question based on the love and relationships section of the aqa anthology. you have 1 hour 45 minutes for his paper so you should spend around 45 minutes on this question. you will be given the text of one poem which you must write about in your comparison; you can choose whichever poem you want to use as the comparison, though you’ll need to do this from memory., contents of this guide, one possible structure for this essay, example plans.

The ‘guitar solo’ paragraph

An example of a conclusion

Some other important things to remember in a poetry comparison essay.

When you’re planning your poetry essays, there are several possible structures that can work, but this guide will explain one structure which can be good for meeting the assessment objectives, while being manageable in the time available. It is not necessarily the best structure to use, and you should follow the advice of your teacher first and foremost, but this is one way that you could structure this essay:

A comparative thesis as an introduction – this only need be two or three sentences long

3 analysis paragraphs

a.   Poem 1 – core difference/similarity from thesis

b.   Poem 2 – core difference/similarity from thesis

c.  Thoughtful comparative paragraph [AKA the guitar solo paragraph ] which will generally be a difference within the core similarity or a similarity within the core difference

Conclusion which summarises your thesis in a bit more detail, bringing in the ideas from the final paragraph too

Below are a couple of examples of essay plans which use this structure, with a thesis and three paragraph points for each plan. These plans would then need a conclusion in the final essay, but you don’t need to plan the conclusion – just write it to finish off your essay.

Comparison between ‘Before You Were Mine’ and ‘Follower’

Thesis: Both poems explore the relationship between parents and children, though Duffy’s poem looks at motherhood whilst Heaney’s poem looks at fatherhood. Taken together, though, the poems suggest that parenthood has a bigger impact on mothers than it does on fathers.

Poem 1: Duffy shows that becoming a mother can have a huge impact on a woman’s life.

Poem 2: In ‘Follower’, however, the impact that fatherhood has seems to be smaller.

Guitar solo paragraph: Nevertheless, both poems suggest that, either way, parents will change in the end and this will lead their children to feel a sense of disappointment.  [similarity within the core difference]

Comparison between ‘Neutral Tones’ and ‘When We Two Parted’

Thesis: Both poems explore the consequences of a failed relationship, with both Hardy and Byron suggesting that even after a relationship has ended it can come back to haunt a person later in their life, causing them further pain.

Poem 1: Hardy presents the ending of a dying relationship which has haunted the speaker in all his relationships ever since.

Poem 2: Similarly, Byron shows how a relationship which ended many years before can still go on to cause pain in the right circumstances.

Guitar solo paragraph: However, the nature of the pain is different in the two poems: in Byron’s poem it is a very specific, localised pain, relating to one particular individual, whilst in Hardy’s poem it is a more general hopelessness and a rejection of the very idea of love. [difference within the core similarity]

The ‘guitar solo’ paragraph – example using the 2nd plan above

In this paragraph you will develop the core comparison from your thesis , either finding a similarity within the difference , or a difference within the similarity . By doing this, you are trying to lift your essay above the merely clear or thoughtful, and up into the stratosphere of exploratory and perceptive, the very top of the mark scheme.

Below is an example of what this paragraph might look like. It finds a difference within the core similarity outlined in the thesis of this essay plan.

Notice that there doesn’t necessarily need to be detailed analysis of methods (AO2) in this paragraph, nor a great deal of evidence (part of AO1) – you can meet these AOs in your first two paragraphs.

This paragraph should be focussed on comparison (AO1) and on trying to be perceptive in your interpretation of the poems (AO1) and insightful in your discussion of big ideas (AO3). It’s about showing that you understand, in an interesting way, the themes of the poems (either romantic love or family love), and that you understand how those themes are explored in the two poems.

Bold = the comparative point

Italics = evidence from the poems

Regular type = standard analysis; explanation of meaning

Blue text = comparison of the poems

Purple text = discussion of big ideas

However, the nature of the pain romantic relationships can cause is different in the two poems: in Byron’s poem it is a very specific, localised pain, relating to one particular individual, whilst in Hardy’s poem it is a more general hopelessness and a rejection of the very idea of love. This can be seen most clearly in the way the two poems deal with the idea of deception in their respective final stanzas . Byron’s speaker is grieving over the fact his ex-lover’s “heart could forget [him]” and her “spirit deceive [him].” In other words, what upsets him is not the loss of her, but her unfaithfulness. It’s not clear if this is just unfaithfulness to his memory – the fact she moved on – or if he’s implying that she cheated on him while they were together; either way, it is she (personally) who deceived him (personally), and her deceitfulness is deep-rooted in her character, as implied by the use of “spirit” which suggests she was deceiving him in the very core of her being – deceiving him in her soul or essence. This feeling is typical of a jilted lover – to lose trust and to feel a growing dislike or bitterness towards the one who does not return their love. It’s textbook breakup stuff . But Hardy’s poem is different, bleaker, more desperate. The lesson he learnt from his failed relationship is not that she deceived him, but that “love deceives, / And wrings with wrong.” There is none of the anger that we see in Byron’s speaker here . Hardy’s speaker doesn’t have the energy for that. Any anger that he may have felt for his ex-lover has long since faded away, and in its place is just the jaded sense that all love is deception. It was love that deceived him, not his ex-lover, like in Byron’s poem . The whole institution of romantic love is, according to Hardy’s poem, a lie. This comes not as a result of one failed relationship but from a lifetime of failure in love. For Hardy’s speaker, love is so full of ‘wrong’ that when you squeeze it, metaphorically speaking, ‘wrong’ is all that comes out; there’s no ‘right’ in there at all. This is not the typical post-break-up misery and angst that we see in Byron’s poem ; this is something darker; this is utter despair. These are the words of a man who has given up on love forever.

This is what a conclusion to the 2nd plan might look like. Notice how it takes the thesis, using similar words to the introduction, but brings in more specific details, as well as the ideas from the ‘guitar solo’ paragraph.

In conclusion, both poets explore the after-effects of love gone wrong and show how one failed relationship can come back to haunt a person later in their life, causing them further pain. In his poem, Byron focuses on a particular individual and a particular break-up which has left his speaker sad, angry and isolated, even after “long years” of separation, showing just how much love can hurt. Hardy, on the other hand, suggests that one failed relationship can become a kind of template for all future relationships, leaving a person hopeless, loveless and alone, no longer believing in the wonder of romantic love, which so many other poets and novelists write so powerfully about.

Introduce the poem when you first write about it – say what’s going on in the poem, who the speaker is, etc, as part of the evidence for your first paragraph. Don’t just analyse quotations out of context: show your understanding of the poem.

Make sure Paragraph 2 includes lots of comparative phrases to link it back Paragraph 1 (e.g. ‘however’, ‘similarly’, ‘unlike in Duffy’s poem’, etc).

Make sure you write about the big ideas in the poem. This means going outside the text and writing about romantic love in general, or family relationships in general, rather than just about the specific characters in the poems you’re analysing.

How to answer an 'An Inspector Calls' question

How to answer the two unseen poetry questions.

24/7 writing help on your phone

To install StudyMoose App tap and then “Add to Home Screen”

Two Poems Comparison

Save to my list

Remove from my list

"Common Magic" VS "An Ordinary Person"

Role of Magic Imagery in the Poems

Conclusion: common ideas of both poems.

Two Poems Comparison. (2016, Jul 11). Retrieved from https://studymoose.com/two-poems-comparison-essay

"Two Poems Comparison." StudyMoose , 11 Jul 2016, https://studymoose.com/two-poems-comparison-essay

StudyMoose. (2016). Two Poems Comparison . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/two-poems-comparison-essay [Accessed: 22 Aug. 2024]

"Two Poems Comparison." StudyMoose, Jul 11, 2016. Accessed August 22, 2024. https://studymoose.com/two-poems-comparison-essay

"Two Poems Comparison," StudyMoose , 11-Jul-2016. [Online]. Available: https://studymoose.com/two-poems-comparison-essay. [Accessed: 22-Aug-2024]

StudyMoose. (2016). Two Poems Comparison . [Online]. Available at: https://studymoose.com/two-poems-comparison-essay [Accessed: 22-Aug-2024]

• A Comparison of Two Poems by Black Poets Pages: 4 (937 words)
• Comparison of Two Poems Pages: 7 (1867 words)
• Comparison and Contrast of Two Allen Ginsberg's Poems Pages: 10 (2915 words)
• Comparison of Poems Island Man and Two Scavengers Pages: 3 (633 words)
• Two Poems By Alfred Lord Tennyson Pages: 5 (1417 words)
• Compaison of two poems - 'Night Over Birkenau' and 'Earrings' Pages: 16 (4539 words)
• Compare and contrast two poems, one by Liz Lochhead and one by Carol Ann Duffy Pages: 5 (1402 words)
• Write an essay comparing two of the poems you have studied in this unit Pages: 6 (1631 words)
• Analysis between Two Emily Dickinson's Poems  Pages: 2 (409 words)
• Seamus Heaney's Portrayal of Childhood in Ireland: Examining Two Poems Pages: 6 (1766 words)

👋 Hi! I’m your smart assistant Amy!

Don’t know where to start? Type your requirements and I’ll connect you to an academic expert within 3 minutes.

YOUR FINAL GRADE - GUARANTEED UK Essay Experts

Disclaimer: This essay is provided as an example of work produced by students studying towards a english literature degree, it is not illustrative of the work produced by our in-house experts. Click here for sample essays written by our professional writers.

Any opinions, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this material are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of UKEssays.com.

Comparing And Contrasting Two Poems English Literature Essay

Reference this

Get Help With Your Essay

If you need assistance with writing your essay, our professional essay writing service is here to help! Find out more about our Essay Writing Service

Cite This Work

To export a reference to this article please select a referencing stye below:

Related Services

Essay Writing Service

• Dissertation Writing Service

• Assignment Writing Service

DMCA / Removal Request

If you are the original writer of this essay and no longer wish to have your work published on UKEssays.com then please:

Our academic writing and marking services can help you!

• Find out more about our Essay Writing Service
• Undergraduate 2:2
• 7 day delivery
• Marking Service
• Samples of our Service
• Full Service Portfolio

Related Lectures

Study for free with our range of university lecture notes!

• All Available Lectures

Freelance Writing Jobs

Looking for a flexible role? Do you have a 2:1 degree or higher?

Study Resources

Free resources to assist you with your university studies!

• Dissertation Resources at UKDiss.com
• How to Write an Essay
• Essay Buyers Guide
• Referencing Tools
• Essay Writing Guides
• Masters Writing Guides

Poetry Comparison Essay

Poetry Comparison

between these poets it can leave you thinking. Which is a good thing, it can help you explore why it made you feel the way it did, or at least that was the case for me. The poems these authors created have outlived them, and will continue to because poetry is an outlet, whether being read or created. Being able to relate to a poem is a great thing I believe. These connections showed in the poem prove that you can find similarities where you don’t expect it. Both of these poets are similar, because

Two poems that I could easily contrast against one another are Thomas Campion, “There Is A Garden In Her Face” and William Shakespeare, Sonnet 130. The two poems both discuss the topic of the poet's’ love interest; in contrary to one another, Shakespeare’s approach is more realistic, whereas, Campion’s approach may seem more pleasant to hear its ideas are unrealistic. Campion states, “There is a garden in her face,” to describe his love’s immeasurable beauty and glow. Throughout the remainder of

Poetry Comparison Outline

Comparison Outline 1. Both poems show someone’s first reaction when reading a poem. A. They use extreme hyperbole like in poem one where it tells that people beat their poems with hoses. And in poem two it talks about how you repeat poems “again and over again.” This comparison shows how people tend to read poems until they get it no matter how long it takes. B. Though both poets discuss the struggle to read poetry through comparisons to nature, their poems have different tones that express the individual

My Poetry Comparison

In my poetry comparison essay I have gone through a number of different changes throughout my essay. One of these changes I the manner of how I use language throughout my essay. For example, previously I used the lines such as “pilgrims and poetry readers are similar because of the trails they faced,” now, after revising my essay the same line reads as such, “Pilgrims and poetry readers share a similar bond as both at one point or another must face hardship.” Another example of something I changed

Essay On Poetry Comparison

Poetry Comparison Essay War can be seen in different ways. On one hand it can be seen as an amazing feat that brave, courageous soldiers fought for their beliefs and country. But on the other, it is a remorseful, callous slaughter. These two sides are perfectly expressed in the two poems: Sons of Britain, by William Watson, and Dulce Decorum Est, by Wilfred Owen. Watson’s takes the approach that war is honourable and Owen’s takes the opposite. Beginning with Sons of Britain the reader can see that

Vonnegut Poetry Comparison

Over the years, the wars throughout history have provided magical but traumatic contributions to art forms of all types. From the writings of Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse Five", to the poetry of Rupert Brooke and Wilfred Owen, they have influenced many of the modern forms of art that we see and study today. These works have been deconstructed and analysed in many different ways, but the work of Brooke and Owen continue to be controversial due to the subject matter. Commonly, popular poets and

Welsh Poetry Comparison

Welsh Poetry Comparison and Analysis This essay will consider two poems, both written by Welsh authors. The first poem to be discussed will be Dylan Thomas' Do Not Go Gentle into That Good Night. Following this, the emphasis will progress to Owen Sheers' poem, When You Died, where ongoing comparisons between the two poems will be made. The content of this essay will discuss the themes and ideas present in both poems, and the devices and techniques used to illustrate them. One of the distinct

A Comparison of Poetry Essay

A Comparison of Poetry In this essay two poems will be juxtaposed. One of the poems is called "My parents kept me from children who were rough". This poem was written by Stephen Spender. Stephen Spender was greatly admired for his work and was knighted in 1983. He lived in the 20th century and died 22 years after W H Auden in 1995 .The second poem chosen is called "Funeral Blues and was written by W H Auden. W H Auden was a greatly respected homosexual poet who lived

No poetry can be indistinguishable because poetry relies on the writer’s, perceptions and feelings behind the poetry. In the poem “Morning song” by Sylvia Plath and “Time for Renewal” by Anchal Grover are two very different poems, but very similar way of tones In the poems, not only the themes and structure are different, but also the point of view the poem has written in, are very diverse. However, they used very similar characteristics and punctuation to describe the concept of the poem. In both

Comparison Of Love Poetry: Essay

Comparison Of Love Poetry: Rememberby Christina Rossetti, How Do I Love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and When We Two Parted by Lord Byron The three poems, Remember by Christina Rossetti; How Do I love Thee? by Elizabeth Barrett Browning and When We Two Parted by Lord Byron, each explore love and loss in their own unique ways. Remember is, as expected from the title, a solemn lament which is a farewell sonnet to her treasured one. How Do I Love Thee? is again a sonnet of love but

Popular Topics

• Poetry Explication Essay
• Polanski Essay
• Police Essay
• Police Brutality Essay
• Police Corruption Essays
• Essay About Police Officers
• Policy Essay
• Policy Analysis Essay
• Policy Proposal Essay
• Essay on Polio

Thesis ideas for Comparing and Contrasting two poems

EF_Team5 - / 1585   Sep 7, 2008   #2 Good evening. Well, why do you think they both take place at night? What is so special about the cover of darkness in these two works? What about nature? Because the night sky is a natural phenomenon, could you compare the two portrayals of the same phenomenon? As for the contrasts, you could use, as you say, the different meanings instilled by both authors as well as their different results. A list could help you get more organized with your thoughts. Write down a quick note about the commonalities and differences between the two; that should help you get started. Regards, Gloria Moderator, EssayForum.com

OP amharp5 2 / 2   Sep 7, 2008   #3 Hi Gloria, I appreciate the quick response, I can compare the night and contrast each meaning of the night, and those results! I will do that with a list and press on from there. Thank you again and take care, Andy

mannsbabygurl44 - / 2   Dec 20, 2009   #4 Need help with comparing and contrasting 2-3 poems I don't understand poetry...What should I do????

sbrooks10 2 / 18   Dec 20, 2009   #5 Do you have any other options? Is this a supplement or a required essay? If it's required, I would suggest googling poetry techniques that you could cite as similar or dissimilar in each. Examples of some techniques are: imagery (not only visual but also the creation of any sensory experience, smell, touch, taste), diction (word choice, kind of a lame one), structure (of the entire poem), tone, meaning/ theme, point of view, syntax (how each line/ sentence is organized, subject, verb, object and what not), alliteration (repeated sounds)... I hope that helps!

mannsbabygurl44 - / 2   Dec 20, 2009   #6 It does help...Thanks. Just not sure I can get 3-4 pages out of that : /

d7821890 - / 1   Apr 21, 2011   #8 Contrasting and comparing two poems I need help in comparing and constrasting the essay mentioned above. The author of both poems is Marjorie Agosin. Thanks.

MutedHandWasher 1 / 1   Apr 22, 2011   #9 In what ay do you need help? as in outlining? analyzing? etc.

Vennessa - / 1   Oct 31, 2012   #11 Help in compare and contrast poem essays. Hello, please I need help on how to write compare and contrast essays between two poems. The poems I have are; Fifteen by William Stafford and The Seven Ages of Man by William Shakespeare. I already have my rough draft, but I don't know how to expand on it. Do I just need to explain the meaning of literary devices? Please, I need your help. Thanks.

tannerazm 1 / 5   Oct 31, 2012   #12 I gave you a chance To water the plants I didn't mean that way... ZIP UP YO PANTS!

usernameabp - / 1   Nov 4, 2013   #13 I need to compare and contrast a poem and a work of fiction. i need to analyze a work of fiction and a poem and develpo a thesis that conmapres and contrasts them on a chosen theme. does anyone know of some peices of work i could use??