Compare and Contrast, Me [web based ebook reader TXT] 📗

Differences and similarities between two things can be favorable and may even make them a little more pleasing. For example, poems can differ in many ways yet still be similar at the same time which may make them more interesting together. With William Stafford’s “Fifteen” and Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz,” the difference is refreshing while the similarities help to keep some of the same feel. “Fifteen” is looking back on an elderly man’s motorcycle encounter at the age of 15 while “My Papa’s Waltz” is describing a memory of a man’s disappointing memory of his father. In these two poems, similar imagery and alliteration uses can be seen but there are opposite tones and personification types.

One similarity between the two poems is their imagery uses. Both are full of details to paint a clear picture of the writer’s memories. On lines five and six in “My Papa’s Waltz,” imagery is used to show the reader a specific scene, “We ramped until the pans / slipped from the kitchen shelf...” In Stafford’s poem, imagery is also used many times to display a detailed event from his life, “A motorcycle with engine running / as it lay on its side,” (3-4). Each poet was able to make one think of a specific incident using many senses.

Another similarity that may be seen is the use of alliteration. Each poem was able to include the repetition yet still be manageable to read. In Roethke’s writing, “such waltzing was not easy,” (4). In this example, the letter w was used a few times and the author still kept it simple. “Fifteen” says, “As it lay on its side, ticking over / slowly in the grass,” (4-5). The letter s was redundant and reading it is still not difficult. In both cases alliteration was used but each writer kept things straightforward.

Despite each poem’s similarities, one definite difference is their tones. In one case, there is a disappointed feel and in the other you are in more of a happy mood as if you have just discovered something for the first time. For example, Roethke’s work reads, “My mother’s countenance / could not unfrown itself,” (7-8). This shows an unhappy person that is frustrated with someone else. In “Fifteen,” “I admired all the pulsing gleam, the / shiny flanks, the demure headlights...” (6-7). Out of this selection, a dreamy sense of admiration may be seen. Although each poet had a clear tone, they weren’t similar and had a different mood and feel.

Another difference is each writer’s type of personification. On one hand, personification is being used to display an unhappy person while on the other it is used to show a content setting. In Theodore Roethke’s poem, “My mother’s countenance / could not unfrown itself,” (7-8). This exhibits a saddened person in an unsatisfying time which would not be considered very enjoyful. Stafford’s poem states, “I led it gently / to the road and stood with that / companion,” (8-10). From this selection, the motorcycle is being seen as a friend and a happy feeling may be taken. Both create a different emotion through personification.

Theodore Roethke’s “My Papa’s Waltz” and William Stafford’s “Fifteen” have similar uses of imagery and alliteration but a different tone and type of personification. Both poems use a lot of description to show certain memories and scenes. Alliteration is also similar as they both have understandable lines with it. One poet creates a frustrated tone while the other creates an enjoyful happy feel. Personification is also used differently each time to establish a different feeling. Similarities tie things together but differences are also great to have for some change.

Publication Date: 05-25-2011

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