Final answer:
Comparing 'The Rainy Day' and 'Invictus' for a compare and contrast poetry assignment is enlightening, as they address themes of adversity with different tones and outcomes.
Step-by-step explanation:
In approaching a compare and contrast poetry assignment, selecting poems with thematic links or distinct stylistic differences can be particularly illuminating. For a meaningful comparison, 'The Rainy Day' by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and 'Invictus' by William Ernest Henley are worth considering. 'The Rainy Day' explores themes of sorrow and hope with a contemplative tone, whereas 'Invictus' is a declaration of resilience and self-mastery in the face of adversity. Exploring these poems will allow you to examine the use of imagery, tone, and thematic significance—how Longfellow and Henley each address confronting difficult circumstances, yet with markedly different outcomes and perspectives.