Final answer:
The comparison of 'The Rainy Day' and 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' reveals differences and similarities in conflict, characterization, and literary techniques like imagery and metaphor, showing distinct approaches to human experience and identity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Comparing 'The Rainy Day' and 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers'
When comparing 'The Rainy Day' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' by Langston Hughes, one can see both similarities and differences in terms of conflict, characterization, literary point of view, and literary techniques. 'The Rainy Day' presents conflict through the metaphor of a rainy day, symbolizing a period of melancholy and challenge in one's life. Meanwhile, 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' explores the conflict of racial identity and history, with rivers symbolizing the flow and depth of African American heritage. Both poems utilize first-person narrative, but while Longfellow's speaker seems to be alone and introspective, Hughes characterizes a collective voice encompassing centuries of black history.
Literary techniques play a significant role in both poems. Imagery in 'The Rainy Day' creates a somber mood, whereas symbolism in 'The Negro Speaks of Rivers' enriches the poem with layers of historical significance. The use of metaphors is another technique found in both poems; Longfellow uses weather to represent life's hardships, while Hughes uses rivers to represent the longevity and resilience of the human spirit. These elements, combined, offer diverse perspectives on the human experience and the significance of nature and history in shaping identity.