Vivian Thomlinson
English 1213 Comp II
March 26, 2013
How Do We Compare and Contrast Poems?
When we compare and contrast a poem, we need to consider the ethos, pathos, and logos of each. I will be comparing and contrasting the poems “Magic of Love” by Helen Farries and “Love Poem” by John Fredrick Nims. In “Magic of Love” by Helen Farries we get the lighter side of love, the happy, giddy feeling that nothing can go wrong as long as you have love. We can argue that although this is probably one persons’ point of view, it could also be a way to show that love can be limitless by the way it is written with not all the sentences rhyming. It could also be argued that it could be a younger persons’ point of view, or that it could be used in a Hallmark card you would get for Valentines’ Day or for an engagement or wedding. “Magic of Love” gives us hope that everything about love can be good. An example of this is “There’s a wonderful gift that can give you a lift, It’s a blessing from heaven above!” It is also dripping in pathos, it pulls at the heartstrings in every stanza. It makes us think “what has logic got to do with it?” It shows that as long as there is love, everything will be great by stating, “When love lights the way there is joy in the day. And all troubles are lighter to bear, Love is gentle and kind, and through love you will find There’s an answer to your every prayer!” Think of the first love and how happy you were. The feeling of freedom, of being able to do anything, thinking the possibilities were limitless. “You will find if you do, all your dreams will come true, In the wonderful MAGIC OF LOVE!” In “Love Poem” by John Fredrick Nims, we have the opposite end of the spectrum. “Love Poem” shows the older, deeper, but loving side of love. We can find evidence of this all through the poem. He has written and phrased things to make us think. We can tell by the different ways he wrote and phrased things. Our