In the poems "London" by William Wordsworth and "Douglass" by Paul Laurence Dunbar, the two poets both encorporate allusions into their poems. The reason for which they write is to lament about the current conditions of their home country and to praise the identified poet. Therefore, they both take on a laudatory tone. Both Wordsworth and Dunbar express their chosen poet as a hero, guide, and comforter. Yet, the two poets depict their country in similar disaray. Wordsworth portrays a "selfish" and "unhappy" community while, of a similar nature, Dunbar expresses "battle" and "dissension." They both distinguish the creator of the havoc as "we" as opposed to "they;" therefore, they include themselves in the unpleasant circumstances.
First of all, Wordsworth and Dunbar idolize a certain poet, or writer. For Wordsworth, he praises "Milton" as a "Star" which "dwelt apart" alluding to the fact that he was a higher ranking being than his counterparts. "Milton's" "voice" is connected to the "sea," portraying it as powerful, majestic, and of a different nature than simple humans. Wordsworth describes "Milton" with the help of images of nature such as the "sea" and "star" in order to show a somewhat "godliness" and separate being from the "selfish men."
On the other hand, Dunbar encorporates nature into his description of "Douglass" in a way which expresses his ability to tame it in a way. The "voice" "o'er the storm" implies it is more powerful. "Thy strong arm to guide the shivering bark" alludes that he is more steadfast than trees. This different take on nature creates an awe, since nature is generally described as something more spiritual than humans.
Furthermore, the way in which the two writer's depict the state of their countries is also significant. Wordsworth identifies "this hour" as in "need of" "Milton" because of the swamp like state it is found in. The land is possesed by "selfish men" who need to be "raise[d] up" and retaught. This description takes on the necessity of a savior, to build up the swamp like land: reinforce morals.
Similarly, Dunbar describes the "evil days" his country finds itself. An "awful tide" now "battles to and fro," a "tempest" and "waves of swift dissension swarm." Dunbar calls on "Douglass" as a "guide" and leader, a strong captain to lead the ship in an "awful tide" and "tempest of dispraise."
These two poems objectively discuss their situation, and discuss the needed person. While they both praise their writer-idol, the way in which they encorporate nature is slightly different. The importance of nature takes on a different purpose. While Wordsworth depicts nature as something inhuman, and above humanity, Dunbar portrays nature as something needing to be tamed.
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