Question

What is a major difference between the poetry of Emily Dickinson and the poetry of Walt Whitman?

A. Dickinson's poetry addresses many topics at once, whereas Whitman's poetry focuses on a single topic
B. Dickinson's poetry has a strict structure, whereas Whitman's poetry rejects structure
C. Dickinson's poetry is rambling, whereas Whitman's poetry is succinct
D. Dickinson's poetry is frivolous, whereas Whitman's poetry is serious

Answer 1

A major difference is that Emily Dickinson's poetry often has a strict structure, while Walt Whitman's poetry is known for its rejection of structure and use of free verse.

Step-by-step explanation:

A major difference between the poetry of Emily Dickinson and Walt Whitman is found in their respective approaches to structure. Dickinson's poetry typically features a strict structure, leveraging short lines, conventional punctuation, and standard capitalization, often composing in quatrains with an ABCB rhyme scheme, reflecting the common meter found in hymns of her era. In contrast, Whitman's poetry frequently rejects structure, embracing free verse, which lacks a set rhyme or a regular meter, and uses more innovative forms of punctuation and capitalization to create rhythm and meaning.