Comparisons and Contrasts of “Ethics” by Linda Pastan, and “35/10” by Sharon Olds The poems “Ethics” and “35/10” by Linda Pastan and Sharon Olds are surprisingly alike. Each poem tells a story with the speaker being the author. She speaks directly to the audience. Although the number of lines differ, the appearance and length of each line and the appearance of each poem as a whole is very similar. The tones are similar, since both are reflective …showed first 75 words of 598 total…

…showed last 75 words of 598 total…earth’s most radiant elements burn through the canvas” which allows the audience to envision the painting with her. In conclusion, the two poems differ in the way the story is being told, but are similar in many other ways. Both poems tell a story of coming of age, but in different fashions. The structures, the diction, the tones, and even the movement are alike. Both are narrative poems with the speaker being the authors.