Comparisons and Contrasts of Phillis Wheatley and Paul Laurence Dunbar

It may be the same era and the same basic theme between both writings, but there are two significant differences: social class and

Langston Hughes remains known as the most impressive, durable Negro writer in America. His tone of voice is as sure, and the manner he speaks with is original. During the twenties when most American poets were turning inward, writing obscure and esoteric poetry, Hughes was turning outward using language and themes, attitudes, and ideas familiar to anyone who had the ability simply to read. He often employs dialect distinctive of the black urban dweller or the rural black peasant. Throughout Langston Hughes career, he was aware of injustice and oppression, and used his poetry as a means of opposing them. James D. Tyms says, “Hughes writes lyric poems. But his “lyric” persona is often able to copy this social convention of the Negro Folk. Their use of the method of the ballad, to tell others how they feel” (191). Hughes lived as an

Phillis Wheatley was the the first African American writer to have her books published in the United States. Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral written by Wheatley was viewed as a model for the importance of education with religious aspects, as it was often seen throughout her poetry. Formulated mainly of neoclassical elegiac poetry, Poems on Various Subjects triggered several discussions concerning the length to which Wheatley can be deemed a minor poet or whether she wrote to express politics and moral trouble.

Within sixteen months of her arrival, she was reading astronomy, geography, history, and British literature. Wheatley was able to break a language barrier that had held so many others of her race back. Her desire for learning increased and the quest for knowledge became embedded in her spirit, mind, and soul. By her teenage years, Wheatley was a well known author, reciting poems for the New England elite in homes where blacks could not even sit at the table with whites.Phillis Wheatley made many contributions to American literature. Other than successfully representing and expressing the feelings of anger, frustration, and impatience of African American people abroad, she has paved the way for young aspiring African American writers.

Anne Bradstreet, Daughter of the one governor and first published poet in America, was classified as a classic religious poet and also was also considered a very modern poet who really focused on her everyday life and all of her daily activates. Phillis Wheatley, enslaved at the age of 6, and became the first black women poet in America wote mostly classical poetry and had many Christian views. Her poetry used pyscholical meaning and also used poetic devices. Although both poets were to very respected poets of there time both are also very different compared to their work. Phillis Wheatley’s poetry was more in depth, thoughtful, and had somewhat more stylish than the work of Anne’s Bradstreet’s.

Dually Randall and Paul Laurence Dunbar are two African American writers living during the early twentieth century. These men did not know each other, however, they both encountered the same hardship of being an African American living before the civil rights movement. Both men use poems that emphasize sound, structure and imagery to express what they experienced during that harsh time. A careful analysis of “We Wear the Mask” and “Ballad of Birmingham” expose that the shadows cast on their skin has a lasting impression.

It may be the same era and the same basic theme between both writings, but there are two significant differences -- social class and physical location. The

Sometimes, things that seem opposites at first glance turn out to be more similar after a second look. This is the case for the poems London, 1802 by William Wordsworth, and Douglass by Paul Laurence Dunbar. The major differences in these poems combine with the similarities to show the timeless need for revolutionary authors.

Russell, “Theme for English B” and “The Negro Speaks of the River” both written by Langston Hughes. I see some differences between him and Douglass. Douglass doesn’t hide his meanings behind his words and his narrative as much as Hughes does within the words of his poem. Hughes likes to make you think about what he means whereas Douglass likes to get straight to the point. Another thing I noticed about Hughes in his “Theme for English B” poem, is that he says “Sometimes perhaps you don’t want to be a part of me. Nor do I often want to be a part of you”. Unlike other former slaves and a lot of african american authors, Hughes says he wouldn’t want to be a part of a white culture, even though it would have made his life much easier back then. I know that from works I have read in the past, blacks would often times wish themselves white because of the easier lifestyle and more freedom. I see similarities in Hughes and Douglass as they want to get their points heard, but also Hughes points are a lot more hidden between the

Paul Laurence Dunbar is African-American poet who lived from in the late 1880s to the early 1900s. During his life, Dunbar wrote many poems, in both dialect and standard english. However, many of his poems are considered controversial now, due to negative racial stereotypes and dialect. Currently, some believe that Dunbar’s poetry perpetuates harmful stereotypes such as use of dialect; while others believe that it helps break racial stereotypes through the portrayed emotions. Dunbar’s dialect poetry is helpful for African-Americans, because it accurately depicts the experience of African Americans and humanizes them.

Phyllis Wheatley was one of the best poets ever. She was the first ever African American poet. This paper will be about her early life, adult life and her contribution to the Revolutionary War.

Phillis Wheatley was sold into slavery when she was only 7 years old and sent to North America. She was purchased by a family in Boston—they then taught her how to read and write (Wikipedia, 2016). When she learned how to read, her writing thrived. The Wheatley’s saw that, and continued to encourage to continue on with learning and writing the poems. The people of Boston did not want to support an African-American poet, so Phillis sent her writings to a publisher in London (Poetry Foundation, 2016).

Both Brown and Hughes show the similarities and differences of white men and black men from two different angles and they allow the reader to compare races in different ways. They both show styles of writings that were expressed by poets of the Harlem movement.

A difference in the two poets definitely comes into play when we look at of the speakers in these poems. Hughes’ persona is that of a black male looking back on how the black race was treated badly, but he is expressing the beauty in their struggle. Hughes talks about why black Americans should achieve their goals, “On the Cultural Achievements of African Americans”

Have you ever been in a position where you don't know what to do? Well so has Phillis Wheatley. She is my favorite poet because she was the first African American to publish a poem. When she was about only seven or eight years old when she got captured and taken from her home. In 1761 a slave ship brought her to Boston. A guy named John Wheatley, and his wife purchased a young girl directly from the ship named Phillis Wheatley. She grew up to be a poet. She likes to write about any subject.