Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman are two of literature’s greatest innovators,
they each changed the face of American literature. they are also considered one
of literature’s greatest pair of opposites. Dickinson is a timid wreck loose.
While Whitman was very open and sociable, Whitman shares the ideas of William
Cullen Bryant, everyone and everything is somehow linked by a higher bond. Both
Whitman and Dickinson were decades ahead of their time, sharing only the
universality of their works. Whitman’s works always express his feelings of
equality towards all mankind “For every atom belonging to me as good to
you”(Whitman 347). Whitman exemplifies the American values of equal
opportunity. Uncle Walt always sympathized with the common man because that is
who he is, a common man. Whitman’s works often express his love for himself
“I celebrate myself, and I sing myself, and what I assume you shall
assume”(Whitman 347). Whitman’s bold statements are one of many reasons that
Uncle Walt has become so popular and so very universal. Walt Whitman has the
fortitude to say what every person has on his or her mind. Whitman often writes
about his feelings in a list or catalog, then he would constantly revise his it.
Whitman would never use rhyme scheme or meter he expressed his feelings, “the
spotted hawk swoops by accusing me, he complains of my gab and my loitering. I
too am untranslatable, I sound my barbaric yawp over the roofs of the
world.”(Whitman 359) Emily Dickinson on the other hand did not have the
fortitude to directly address her problems. She always addressed herself through
her poetry. “Heart! We will forget him! You and I tonight! You may forget the
warmth he gave- I will forget the light”(Dickinson 374). Instead of talking
and thinking out her problems she puts her emotions into her writing, creating
literary works of art. Dickinson uses apostrophes to address herself to
contemplate her emotions. Dickinson often used nature to express her feelings of
longing and love “if you were coming in the fall I’d brush the summer by
with half a smile, and half a spurn, as housewives do, a fly”(Dickinson 376).
Nature is a reoccurring theme in many of her works. The metaphors the she uses
help the reader to relate to her emotions and problems. Walt Whitman often uses
the Bible in his works while Dickinson felt that no one had to tell her how to
worship. The styles of Whitman and Dickinson will always have their own place in
history. Although they are both notably popular and universal, they were also
completely opposite. In conclusion great minds do not think alike they think for
themselves.