Whitman notes of the groups - ad/ 1

Both Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman are one of the most prominent American poets of the 19th century. Their approaches to poetry are, however, vastly different.

One of the main differences between Whitman’s and Poe’s writing lies in the form. In general, Poe's poetry is characterized by a strong sense of structure (e. g. employing the form of an English sonnet), focusing on rhyme and regular meter. His poetry has a certain musical quality to it, often incorporating repetition, alliteration, or internal rhymes.

Whitman's poetry, on the other hand, is known for its unconventional structure. He employs long lines of free verse varying in length, with no consistent rhyme or meter. By using certain literary devices (esp. repetition), his poetry has more of a natural rhythm to it, making it seem closer to a speech than a poem.
 
Another major difference lies in the tone. In the case of Poe, it is dark, suspenseful, unsettling, and melancholic. The tone in Whitman’s poetry, on the other hand, is more celebratory and optimistic, focusing on the feelings of joy and wonder.

Lastly, one also ought to notice some differences in themes. Poe’s include e. g. madness, the supernatural, human psyche, and, above all, beauty and death (esp. of a loved one).
While the theme of death is being explored by Whitman as well, he ultimately decides that it is an inevitable part of being alive; therefore, the reader shouldn’t spend too much time fearing it, but rather keep living their life to the fullest. Additionally, Whitman’s poetry is a celebration of individualism and diversity, exploring themes such as the beauty of all things (i. e. more inclusive understanding of beauty compared to Poe’s), nature, love, God, equality, freedom, interconnectedness, or direct experience.