Both poems revolve around the aspect of love, yet there is almost a one hundred

year gap between the two, which is significant in that it is very apparent when analyzing
the differences and similarities between the two pieces. The first poem, written in 1899
by Robert Bridges, talks of love as being mysterious yet magnificent. On the contrary, the
poem by Anne Stevenson written in 1990 describes the physical abuse the toll of love can
have. These differences are shown in many ways, but the two concepts can be analyzed
through: the authors use of word choice, the speed of the poem, and the structure of each
stanza.
When looking at word choice, the first major differentiating factor revolves
around the years of publication. The first poem being written in 1899 includes a much
larger use of intellectual diction and seems more emotional, while the second poem
written in 1990 is easier to follow due to its more condensed vocabulary. Both are
effective at talking about the feeling and effects of love, but the word choice within them
separate the readers interpretation.
Secondly, the pace of the poem has a large impact on the tone. The first poem
seems to progress slowly, yet more thoughtfully. The second, requiring less time to read
at a faster pace, results in a less significant emotional response to the thought of love.
The third factor, the structure of the poems, is what helps the reader group
together main ideas for analyzing. The second poem is made up of three stanzas, each
composed of two quatrains. This results in the thought of 6 main concepts. The first
poem, being more lengthy and not so evenly structured, seems more complicated and
abstractly written.
Mitchell Wilkins 5/6/14 12:31 PM
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Mitchell Wilkins 5/6/14 12:36 PM
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As a result of these techniques of writing, it can be said that the first poem is
effective at portraying the idea of love as mysterious but meaningful, while the second
seems concise yet truthful about the harm love can have through the manipulation of
word choice, pace of reading, and structure.