Comparative Poetry Analysis
by Zack Johnson | Hour 1
Introduction
Tone and Word Choice
The poem "Problems with Hurricanes" has a more lighthearted approach to hurricanes and nature. The poem has somewhat of a humorous tone best represented in lines 9-13. Words are sometimes used informally and the poem gives off a happy vibe.
In the poem "Prayer to the Pacific", Silko shows a calm peaceful attitude towards nature. The tone is more serious than "Problems with Hurricanes" the poem overall is very vivid in it's descriptive wording and the calming words make the poem seem like that of a prayer, hence the name. Lines 12-18 can represent this.
Figurative Language
"Prayer to the Pacific", on the other hand, uses figurative language frequently throughout the poem. Word choice is descriptive and personification is used often. Lines 10, 12-14, 31-32 all are examples of personification in the poem.
Structure and Form
Like "Problems with Hurricanes", "Prayer to the Pacific" has irregular patterns in the stanza size as well as line length. Line length is used to represent emphasis and line spacing is used too, like in line 6 or 8. The stanzas and varying line lengths form a pattern that resembles waves, which fits the poem.
Conclusion
"Problems with Hurricanes" uses more of a comedic or humorous attitude towards nature while "Prayer to the Pacific" is more calm and descriptive, showing the beauty of nature and the ocean. Each use tone and word choice, figurative language, and structure and form to represent how they feel towards nature.