How did Whitman's and Dickinson's poetry differ from the works of the Romantic era?

Question

They conformed more closely to traditional poetic forms.

They used new, unconventional forms that closely connected to a poem's meaning.

They relied more on vivid imagery to create elaborate worlds.

They wrote about subjects that had been more popular in Europe than America.

Answer 1

Whitman's and Dickinson's poetry differed from the works of the Romantic era primarily in that they used new, unconventional forms that closely connected to a poem's meaning.

While Romantic poets often adhered to traditional poetic forms and structures, Whitman is known for his free verse and extensive use of long lines and catalogs, which matched his themes of individuality and the collective American experience. Dickinson, on the other hand, utilized short lines and slant rhyme, often breaking conventional patterns to create unique resonances in her work. Both poets emphasized personal expression and explored themes such as nature, death, and the self, but they did so in ways that broke from the formal constraints typical of Romantic poetry.