Throughout American history many distinct literary styles and periods can be observed. The Romantic and Transcendental styles of literature are two such techniques. The differences between these methods become apparent when their backgrounds and model samples are both contrasted. Two such model samples include "Snowbound," a Romantic Fireside poem by Whittier, and "The Snowstorm," a Transcendental poem by Emerson. With the use of these two poems and the known backgrounds of each of the styles, differences in structure, diction, literary devices, and tone will become apparent.

Both the Romantic and Transcendental literary styles diverge greatly in their common poetic characteristics. Romantic poems traditionally rhyme and require lots of thought to interpret, as they are often heavy laden with literary devices. Whittier's Fireside poem, so called as it was written with intent to be read by the family around the fire, holds true to these generalizations. Inversely, Transcendental poetry...