Final answer:
Phillis Wheatley and Paul Laurence Dunbar use imagery, tone, and word choice in their poems to express themes of freedom and oppression. Wheatley's transformational tone contrasts with Dunbar's portrayal of constant struggle through the image of a caged bird. Dunbar's more complex use of rhythm and rhyme enhances the effectiveness of the theme of liberty.
Step-by-step explanation:
The comparison of literary elements in "On Being Brought from Africa to America" by Phillis Wheatley and "Sympathy" by Paul Laurence Dunbar reveals the distinct but poignant ways in which both poets address themes of freedom and oppression through imagery, tone, and word choice.
Wheatley's poem utilizes a transformative tone that shifts from the darkness of enslavement to the enlightenment of Christian salvation, evident in her word choice with terms like 'benighted' contrasted with 'mercy.' Her imagery likens the salvation experience to being rescued from a state of 'pagan' darkness. In contrast, Dunbar's "Sympathy" employs the recurring image of a caged bird struggling for freedom to evoke a pervasive sense of entrapment and yearning, a direct reflection of the African American experience post-slavery. The tone of Dunbar's poem is one of sorrow and unfulfilled desire, marked by the poignant phrase 'I know why the caged bird sings.'
Regarding sound devices, Wheatley's use of rhyming couplets creates a sense of order and conclusion, which may reflect her acquired belief system's structure. On the other hand, Dunbar's varied rhythm and rhyme scheme reflect the bird's erratic attempts to escape, thus emphasizing the intricacies of emotional confinement.
In conclusion, while both poets effectively use literary elements to convey their messages, Dunbar's use of imagery and tone resonates more deeply with the theme of ongoing struggle, making "Sympathy" particularly effective in its depiction of the persistent quest for liberty.