Comparison between Poe and WhittmanA successful writer is one who is able to convey ideas, emotions and wisdom to his readers. He is capable of arousing emotions and capturing the reader's attention with vivid descriptions and intelligent dialogue. The writer can also play with the meanings of words and blend reality with fiction to achieve his goal of taking the reader on a wonderful journey. His tools are nothing more than words, yet the art of writing is found in the use of language to create thought-provoking pieces that defy the changing times. Voices and images emerge between the lines. Not everyone can write effectively and invoke these voices. It is those few who manage to create certain psychological effects on the reader who manage to captivate him with stimulating teachings, scary thoughts and playful games with the language. These people are real writers… Furthermore, authors often lack originality and simply drag the reader on all-too-familiar journeys into politics, morality, or religion. Successful writers are those who take risks and continue to write about topics that many times others have been less willing to tackle. The product of these extraordinary efforts are compositions richly enriched by human feelings and real problems that we encounter and relate to our daily lives... stimulating discussions on religion, philosophy or politics. These pioneering authors are not afraid to write about evil, the perverse aspects of man, or even sexuality... Their true voices emerge from behind the words that take shape in the minds of readers. Few did, but in the 19th century two notable Americans produced compositions of unparalleled quality. Their style and the way they approach the reader are different from t...... middle of paper ...... something (AL 2139) It could be that their originality comes from the fact that they both knew how to express in such a human way the cries of the soul while at the same time leaving mysteries and ambiguities so that the readers' minds can personalize them according to their own life experiences? Their distinct styles allowed them to express exactly what was on their minds with words, leaving all inhibitions behind. The themes of their compositions and moral issues caught our attention. I think the reader could "feel" that they were truly experiencing the story simply because so much of it remained as a mystery for our unconscious to reflect on... I am convinced that this is the key element that makes both Whitman and Poe writers of success. Works Cited Reidhead J. ed. (1998, fifth edition) The Norton Anthology of American Literature Volume 1: Norton & Company, New York