Different yet the Same: The Comparison of Two Poems
...ntal," or unemotional and systematic, lives. Take the following lines into consideration: No one stands around to stare. It is nobody else's affair It couldn’t be called ungentle But how thoroughly departmental. (40-44) The author comments on the indifferent nature of the ants and how they are only interested in their own affairs. This can apply to the population of humans because that is the attitude adopted by many of the modern populace. Neither poem contains superfluous amounts of figurative language, but both contain a similar amount. Both authors use less obvious comparisons in developing their poems. Auden uses the figurative definition of words while Frost creates a bigger picture through his large metaphoric representation. The structure of a poem is arguably the most distinguishing trait that differentiates it from other works of poetry. The poems "The Unknown Citizen" and "Departmental" possess characteristic structures. While Auden uses a more sporadic method of organization, Frost creates a more regular meter of rhyme. Auden's poem reads, But satisfied his employers, Fudge Motors Inc. Yet he wasn’t a scab or odd in his views For his Union reports that he paid his dues, (Our report on his Union shows it was sound) And our Social Psychology workers found That he was popular with his mates and liked a drink. (8-13) The irregular rhyme scheme is present throughout this work. Frost's poem, for the most part, keeps a steady rhyme scheme: An ant on the tablecloth Ran into a Dormant moth Of many times his size. He showed not the least surprise. (1-4) The regular, consistent rhyme creates a magnificent flow to the poem. Neither poem contains multiple stanzas. The continuous lines create a wonderful consistency throughout both poems. The sporadic nature of Auden's structure differentiates it from the constant rhyme in Frost's poem. The theme is the most difficult characteristic of a poem to decipher. Each reader can extract his own personal theme from a work according to his approach. Similarities and differences between poems are drawn out by the individuals who read them. The theme of "The Unknown Citizen" is one of perfection. The author spends the majority of the poem explaining the life of an ideal, perfect citizen. At the end, he states, "Was he free? Was he happy? The question is absurd:/ Had anything been wrong, we should certainly have heard" (31-32). Auden remarks on the perfection and lack of problems in this citizen's life; he declares that nothing should prevent the citizen's happiness because, theoretically, he had a perfect life. In "Departmental," the theme is more obvious. The whole poem,...