As American literature evolved with changes from the 19th to 20th century a shift in belief transformed the once optimistic nature-adoring attitude into a grim, pessimistic perspective. A contrast between "There Was a Boy" written by William Wordsworth and "The Most of It" by Robert Frost clearly portray this transformation. The use of detailed imagery as well as the introduction of sound devices shows numerous differences among poetic techniques of poetry as well as an apparent contrast in principles of belief concerning the relationship between nature and the solitary individual.

"There Was a Boy," by William Wordsworth uses an affluence of imagery to make apparent to the reader nature's impact on our emotional and spiritual lives. With the image of the boy "fingers interwoven, both hands/pressed closely palm to palm," Wordsworth creates a link to the eternal nature of man. Nature becomes a place of community with...