Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Rukeyser

I find that Rukeyser is directing the tragic event at Hawk's Nest towards the public and is asking
for people to recognize and reflect on those who suffered. Rukeyser works on putting the readers into the danger that the workers at Hawk's Nest faced, and depicting the feelings that lingered during the event. Whitman, on the other hand,  is using a much more personal  and distanced tone in "When Lilacs Last..." he is talking about how the event of Lincoln's death effects him personally rather than directing it at anyone else. Whitman does seem to focus on himself and his own feelings more than on anyone's, yet this trend in his writing doesn't stop him from successfully and beautifully communicating with others, it actually helps to draw people in.  Despite the difference I find both poets equally effective in depicting how the tragedy will permanently be a scar on American history.

I feel that both poets come to a similar conclusion in the end. Both speak of a future much different from the past, yet they both acknowledge that the memory of the past will stay with them wherever they go. I feel that this type of ending is most fitting for a poem that serves as a memorial, since there isn't much that people can do to honor the dead besides remembering them. 

1 comment:

  1. [Hey, i'm in the Rukeyser group FYI]

    But yeah. I agree that Rukeyser has a more direct approach than Whitman. The poet is definitely placing us into the situation by telling us to move past the familiar and into this situation. Whitman is more intimate with the reader and desires a more personal connection. Although, what does Rukeyser want the result her directness to be? I think it is similar to Whitman's intention, to bring the poet and the reader together into this hopeful future you mention.

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