Final answer:
Walt Whitman and Carl Sandburg both utilized free verse poetry in their works, allowing for expressive and rule-free poetic structures that celebrated the American spirit and the experiences of ordinary people.
Step-by-step explanation:
The writings of Walt Whitman and Carl Sandburg share several similarities, but the most accurate answer to what they have in common is that they both used free verse poetry. This style of poetry does not adhere to traditional rules of rhyme and meter, allowing for more expression and freedom within the structure of the poem. Whitman's influential work, Leaves of Grass, is a well-known example of free verse and often celebrated for this innovation. Both Whitman and Sandburg wrote extensively about the lives and experiences of ordinary people, championing the energy and diversity of America.
While Sandburg wrote impactful poems about World War I, Whitman's era predates the war, making their common aspect more associated with their poetic form and focus on the American spirit. Carl Sandburg, like Whitman, also wrote in a free-verse style and depicted the American experience with lyricism that focused on industrial and rural life. Moreover, both poets' works reflect a celebration of the common man and highlight the importance of individual experience in the fabric of American society.
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