3 American Poets: Robert Frost, Mary Oliver, and Maya Angelou

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Recommended: Introduction to analyzing poetry

3 American Poets- Robert Frost, Mary Oliver, and Maya Angelou

Poetry as a literally work in which the expression of ideas and feelings is given strength has had great authors overtime who took different perspectives in this genre of literature. These poets used distinctive rhythm and style to express their styles, poetic themes, outlook on life, and had their share of influence on the American society. This paper uses the basis of these styles, themes, outlook on life and subsequent influence on the American society to compare three prolific poets who ventured into this literature genre: Robert Frost, Mary Oliver, and Maya Angelou. Robert Frost (1874-1963) holds a unique and almost sole position in the career span which mostly encompasses the modern period. Mary Oliver (born 10 September, 1935) is a poet credited with winning the Pulitzer and National Book Award. Maya Angelou (born 4 April, 1928) on the other hand is both an author and poet, who has published several poetry books, three essay books, and seven bibliographies (Angelou, Edwin Graves Wilson & Jerome, 2007).

Comparison by Poetry Styles

Frost endeavored to approximate his poetry style to take a form of a conversation, whereby the verses in his poems were aimed at restoring sounds that underlie the words and enhance meaning through a vocal gesture. The style Frost used emphasized that his ear must be sensitive to his voice so as to capture with the word that is written the significance of sound in word that is spoken, (Frost, 1986). “The Death of the Hired Man” for example consists a dialogue almost as a whole between Warren the farmer husband and Mary his wife, an instance is, “‘when was I ever anything but kind to him? But I’ll not have the fellow back,’ he said.” M...

... middle of paper ...

...and more importantly language.

Works Cited

Angelou, Maya, Edwin Graves Wilson, and Jerome Lagarrigue. Maya Angelou. New York: Sterling, 2007. Print.

Frost, Robert. Collected poems of Robert Frost. Cutchogue, N.Y.: Buccaneer Books, 1986. Print.

Homepage poetry foundation: Robert Frost. Retrieved from http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/robert-frost on 15 April, 2014

Homepage poetry foundation: Mary Oliver. Retrieved from http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/mary-oliver on 15 April, 2014

Homepage poetry foundation: Maya Angelou. Retrieved from http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/maya-angelou on 15 April, 2014

Oliver, Mary. Why I wake early: new poems. Boston: Beacon Press, 2004. Print.

Robert Frost: approach to life and appearances retrieved from http://famous-relationships.topsynergy.com/Robert_Frost/Attitude.asp on 15 April 15, 2014

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