Compare and Contrast - Essay Example

Compare and Contrast Essay Ever since the beginning of literary works, poets have had the chance to bring out their emotions in their poems. These poems work toward helping society comprehend why things happen. Also, they offer the appropriate steps to take to rectify the situations. This means that; it is a poet’s place in society to act as an overseer, and point out the things that may be out of place. In the past, poets brought out the political injustices through satire. This art has extended to different fields. Also, poets have the ability to bring out different messages through the themes present in their poems. The themes offer them a chance to express what they might be feeling. As one of the oldest forms of art, poetry has its place in society as it gives individuals a chance to reinvent themselves, hence; be worthy in the eyes of society (Bloom 91). This paper will examine the theme brought out by two poets in their prime, and the comparisons and dissimilarities that occur in this theme. Walt Whitman and Federico Garcia are well-renowned poets who dedicated their skill to the world. During their era, a lot was happening in their immediate surroundings. They used their skill to communicate with individuals about what was happening to protect them, or assist them comprehend their situations. In, When Lilacs Last in the Dooryard Bloom’d, Whitman was bringing the world’s attention to the death of a great leader (Bloom 91). It was after the assassination of Lincoln that Whitman decided to write the poem, and bring out the theme of death. It was a poem of mourning where he mourned the passing of an icon. These poems are often described as elegies. It was pastoral elegy dedicated to the fallen hero, and all that he had done. In, Lament for Ignacio Sanchez Mejjas, Federico wrote about his beloved friend whom he cherished and adored (Arana 159). Federico mourned the passing of his friend through a long process of grief. The theme of death in both the poems is brought out in a traditional fashion by both poets. This is one similarity that stands out in both the poems. In Federico’s poem, he brings out the traditional aspect of the elegy. He brings the long process of grief through the poem about his departed acquaintance. This symbolism takes precedence over the life and cultural traditions that accustom an honourable person in society. In Whitman’s poem, the traditional aspect is seen through the symbolism the poet puts in the fallen president. He uses the Western star to symbolise the fallen president, and a number of other symbolic features to represent the life of the star (Bloom 91). Both these deaths were of exemplary individuals; Lincoln in Whitman’s case, and Ignacio, the bullfighter, in Federico’s case. Another similarity that is brought out in these poems is the nature that surrounds the burial of the two dignified members of society. In Whitman’s poem, nature is said to have worn a sombre mood, “nature sympathizes with America’s grief…as the coffin makes its long journey from Washington to Springfield.” In Federico’s poem, he also resonates with the mood that was present at the burial of the fallen bullfighter, “the room was iridescent with agony, at five in the afternoon.” It all comes down to what the poet wants the audience to feel. The sombre mood can be felt even as the audience may not have been present at the time of the burials (Arana 169). The experience that both poets have is seen through their ability to honour the dead. Musical elements are another similarity that both poets exhibit through their elegies. In Federico’s poem, he produces the image of bones and flutes resounding in the air (Arana 189). All these are elements that bring out an eerie feeling to whoever was watching the proceedings of the death of Ignacio. In Whitman’s poem, he reflects on the virtues of the lilacs and their magnificent presence. In many of American people’s gardens, the lilacs are flowers that are well known for their delicate colour and fragrance (Bloom 91). Also, Whitman brings out the concept of musical elements in his poem through the introduction of the hermit thrush. It is a shy bird, which tries to sing through all that is happening (Bloom 92). Its behaviour is like that of one who was in mourning. This is similar to Federico’s bull, who was bellowing through his forehead. This, he believes, tries to offer believers of the fallen hero some comfort in the trying times. The similarity exhibited by the poets is in connection to the elegy of any fallen individual who might have made an impact in society. This similarity is uncanny, and both of them deserve respect for the symbolism they put into their poems. In Spain, toreros are conquerors in the eyes of many (Arana 198). When they fall, it is seen as a tragedy. As with any works of art performed by different artists, these poems do have differences. Although both are renowned poets of their time, Whitman and Federico exhibited different writing styles in these pastoral elegies. In the first stanzas of his poem, there is the use of formal language used by Whitman. Later on, however, he changes and it becomes unceremonious as the mood itself was, at the burial (Bloom 92). Federico, on the other hand, starts and ends on the same note. His language style was formal and directed at the death of a hero, and what it would be like without him. He is preoccupied with the star’s time of death and indicates it in every stanza of the poem. He brings the audience to the life and death of the fallen torero through the eulogy to show of the impact a single individual can have in a community (Arana 239). In Whitman’s poem, his mood and that of the entire nation is in mourning from the beginning to the end. This is through the trying times they were going through, which came in the form of civil war (Bloom 92). In this case, many lives were lost and the death of the star made the mood even more solemn. They were commemorating the death of all their loved ones that could not be remembered as their fallen hero. All the things that were being done during that time were for thousands of lives that were lost. In Federico’s poem, the energy and emotional freedom is brought out in another part of the poem (Arana 246). This is to show the audience that there was the possibility of overcoming anything, after the anguish and pain. This often works to give the audience a chance to connect deeply with the poet and the situation they are experiencing. There was the need to immortalise and idolise the fallen stars. This is a common occurrence in elegies. For Whitman, losing a president meant that the nation had lost a hero (Bloom 93). Federico lost a friend and the community lost an icon (Arana 249). Through these elegies, they try to immortalise these icons and assist individuals to see them for who they are. It brings into focus the grander meaning of the loss of heroes in society, and the implications these losses have on their immediate surroundings. Symbolism plays an intricate role in the making of poetry. This is something the two poets apprehended, and put to exceptional use to immortalise some of the great people in life. In conclusion, culture, tradition, and beliefs play an intricate role in the coming up of poets. This is seen in the manner in which Federico respects his departed friend (Arana 252). Whitman expresses his honour to the fallen star, the former president, through a state funeral. All this brings the nature of poetry to an audience that may be interested to know all about the work of art. They are pioneers of the art who paved way for modern poets to express their emotions about what is in their immediate surroundings. Audiences may want to be at one with poets. Once poets realise this, they will fall under the greatest forces to advocate for change in individual sin society. Poetry will thus; act as a tool for change. Works Cited Arana, Victoria R. The Facts on File Companion to the World Poetry: 1900 to the Present. New York: Oxford University Press, 2008. Print. Bloom, Harold. Bloom’s Major Poets: Walt Whitman. London: Sage Publishers, 1999. Print. Read More