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What does Emily Dickinson's "I'm Nobody" have in common with Walt Whitman's "Song of Myself"?

It's difficult to think of any two poems that could be further apart than the self-effacing "I'm Nobody" and the celebration of self in "Song of Myself." One is brief, the other lengthy. The voice of one is quiet while the other is jubilant. Nevertheless, there are some similarities. 


Both poets lived in nineteenth century America. Whitman was born before Dickinson and he lived far longer than she did. Both poets became known as the best of nineteenth century poetry in the US. Both were self-educated, reading widely and both were influenced by the Bible. 


The main thing that is in common in terms of the poems themselves, is the sense of self-acceptance. Both poets value their own lives and express satisfaction with their lives in their poetry. "I'm Nobody" asks readers if they are also "nobodies" and then lets the reader know that being "Somebody" would be "dreary." The poem is a conspiracy between two quiet people to stay under the radar of fame and enjoy a peaceful life. 


Whitman also invites the reader into his mind, sharing his thoughts about various and sundry, all in the celebration of himself as a significant entity in this world. 


If Whitman represents the brashness of Americans living in an open and free land, Dickinson represents the pensive underside of Americans, the side that allows everyday, ordinary people to appreciate their own lives. 

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