Blog Post 1, Topic 3

Let’s compare apples to oranges: both fruit, both round, but not the same. Arguably this euphemism can be applied to to Walt Whitman and Matthew Arnold: both accomplished poets, both utilized natural elements in their writing, but not the same. The two authors explored opposing mental states in their poems causing a discrepancy in their tones, Whitman’s poems exhibiting an uplifting attitude while Arnold’s are more depressing. This difference in tone acts as a crucial determiner in the modern reader’s ability to relate with these pieces. Whitman’s constructive tone compliments trending movements, such as the eco-friendly movement and black lives matter movement, while encompassing the core belief of this generation: unity. However, Arnold’s adverse tone does not relate because of it’s negative focus. In modern times, positive, progressive ideas are favored making it difficult to relate to darker pieces that dwell on problems instead of overcoming them.

Whitman’s winning positive tone works by draws inspiration from nature and describing it in relation to humans in such a way that creates as interconnected feeling which parallels with modern connections to the environment and to each other. By employing human-centric descriptions of outdoor elements, the universal connection between man and nature is established.  In Song of Myself  Whitman uses scientific language to disrupt the word flow, breaking down the mental barriers between nature and man. “My tongue, every atom of my blood, form’d from this soil, this air” (1 line 6-7). By using “atom” the line focus shifts to the logical point that everything is created out of atoms. Leading to the idea that all things are “formed” from each other, using the atom as an equalizer to reinforce the concept of a universal connection in a way that is relevant to the past and present. Another poem from this collection questions what is grass and Whitman’s answers elucidate the connections formed when nature become an internalized part of everyday life. Stating grass could be either “the handkerchief of the lord” or “a uniform hieroglyphic…Growing among black folks as among white” (6 lines 6, 12, 14). Both answers expand the presence of grass outside the confounds of nature, intertwining it instead with religious and race relations. Nature’s influences spread across varying aspects of life, allowing new analogies to be discovered. His united mentality represents this generation's focus on uniting together and his beliefs back of popular social movements touching on racism in the present.

But then there is poor Arnold whose negative poem fails to connect with the modern reader. No rather, his medium deals with less pleasant side of life appealing instead to the darker range of emotions. To do this he utilizes depressing nature depictions such as describing tides as bringing “the eternal note of sadness in” and being able to only hear the “melancholy, long, withdrawing roar” of “The Sea of Faith” to establish a recurring pattern of unpleasant emotion. (Dover Beach lines 13-14, 25, 21). By fusing nature and intense emotion Arnold is adding another layer of complexity to the poem, using the in and out motion of water to reinforce the repeating sadness throughout the poem. Despite this technique’s beautiful execution, the bleak tone still does not resonate with the modern ear. Unlike Whitman, Arnold’s poem does not have the benefit of perfectly falling into line with prevailing social movements. Rather his poem rebels against the current social push towards fighting for change. Instead of searching for solutions he chooses to revel in his problems, even expand on them. This is in obvious opposition to this generation’s progressive mentality that prefers to find solutions to unpleasant situations instead of exploring them deeply.

Word Count: 605