Edson And John Donne Poetry Comparison Essay

“When I compare Donne’s poetry and W;t, I find that the differences between them are more significant than the similarities.” How well does this view of the texts reflect your own considered view?

To compare is to examine two or more things in order to note the similarities and dissimilarities present between them. As you begin to compare the poetry of John Donne and Margaret Edson’s play W;t, the disparities between the two do much more in understanding the messages they are trying to convey than the similarities. By studying the two and observing how they differ, it can be seen how W;t not only mimics the poetry of Donne in many instances but also shows the shortcomings in the life of main character Vivian Bearing in trying to live the “ideal life” set out by Donne.

Para 1 - Donne vs Edson as writers

When comparing the two texts, it is impossible to do so without first addressing the stark contrasts between the contexts they are each written in and based around. Both John Donne and Margaret Edson used their past experiences to influence their writing, with Donne writing religiously as a priest at a cathedral, and Edson’s writing regarding ovarian cancer as she worked in an ovarian cancer ward herself. The world and society that the two of them live and work in

Para 2

Context - “Academic vs Humanity”

In

Vivian is smart, ironic, quick thinking and capable of keen perception, she has wit. However, her wisdom that is useful in her chosen profession of teaching is insufficient when she must cope with her illness and treatment. As she grows weaker and closer to dying, Vivian comes to rely on her nurse, Susie, who sees Vivian's suffering and fear, and who responds with empathy and care. When Vivian sees that her death is near, she realizes the significance of these