Charles G. D. Roberts and E. J. Pratt are two of the best known Canadian poets, both belonging roughly to the same late Romantic tradition. Their poetry has often been put side by side, especially due to the major prevalence of nature as a poetic theme in their all their writings. In turns, both Roberts and Pratt have been likened to one of the great English Romantic poets who were their predecessors. Thus, Roberts is indebted to Wordsworth, whom he follows faithfully in most of his work. On the other hand, connections can be found between Pratt's and William's Blake poetry, although in this case the influence may have been less conscious. A comparative analysis of two of Roberts' and Pratt's best-known poems, Tantramar Revisited and Silences respectively, reveals the very different, almost opposed significance of nature in their poems. In Tantramar Revisited, Roberts conceives of nature in a very similar manner to that of Wordsworth: for him, nature is invested with spirituality. The contemplation of a natural landscape urges the poet-speaker to musings and deep meditations. As the work of God, the beauty of nature calls for spiritual renaissance. The thoughts of the poet blend with the landscape he contemplates. On the other hand, in his Silences, Pratt views nature as something primordial contrasted with man's extraordinary spiritual evolution. Thus, Roberts' and Pratt's views on nature are almost opposed: for Roberts nature is a means of transcending the earthly, mortal existence, while for Pratt nature is a primitive state, contrasted with man's Godly spirituality.
             As it is well known, Romanticism was, to a certain extent, an eclectic rather than homogenized literary movement. As such, nature for instance was not viewed homogenously by these poets. Moreover, Roberts and Pratt were influenced both by the Romantics and by the Victorian poets (such as Browning or Tennyson). Even through th...