Final answer:
In this unit, Emily Dickinson's poems and Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass portray outsiders, but in different ways. Dickinson's poems reflect personal experiences of being an outsider, while Whitman's poetry celebrates diversity and views the outsider as an important member of society.
Step-by-step explanation:
In this unit, many of the characters can be considered outsiders in some way. Two works that can be compared and contrasted in terms of their portrayal of outsiders are Emily Dickinson's poems and Walt Whitman's poetry collection Leaves of Grass.
Emily Dickinson often wrote about feelings of isolation and being an outsider due to her reclusive lifestyle. Her poems explore themes of loneliness, death, and the inner thoughts and emotions of an individual. On the other hand, Walt Whitman's Leaves of Grass celebrates diversity and embraces the concept of the outsider as an integral part of society. Whitman's poetry celebrates the common man and portrays outsiders as unique individuals who contribute to the richness of society.
Both works provide insight into the experiences of outsiders, but they approach the topic differently. While Dickinson's poems offer a more introspective and personal perspective on being an outsider, Whitman's poetry celebrates diversity and views the outsider as an important and valuable member of society. It is subjective to determine which work is more effective as it depends on individual interpretation and preferences.