Journal 7

      The poems, “The Raven” and “To a Waterfowl” represent different characteristics in writing.  “To a Waterfowl” is more classical, meaning there is a more organization, reason, and a universal message.  “The Raven”, on the other hand, has romantic characteristics in that it has more personal emotion.  Both writers, Poe and Bryant, use birds as symbols in their poems.  In “The Raven,” Poe uses the raven to represent a demon-like creature dooming the main character to grief.  Both birds are also connected to supernatural powers. At first, the main character of “The Raven” thinks that the Raven was an angel sent by his love, but he then believes that the creature was sent by the underworld to tell him there is no hope.  Unlike “The Raven,” the narrator of “To a Waterfowl” believes that the bird is living for God and has somewhere to go (heaven) after his earthly life.  Another difference in the poems is the setting.  “The Raven” takes place indoors and at night, where “To a Waterfowl” takes place during a peaceful sunset outside.