The sonnets “London, 1802” by Wordsworth and “Douglass,” by Dunbar both relate to each other through the theme of addressing the problems of society. In Wordsworth’s poem Douglass is called upon to return England back to its old common way. The people of London have become corrupted and their hearts stained. Wordsworth calls out for Douglass to relive this new era and help resolve the boggy England. Dunbar’s poem calls out to the abolitionist leader Douglass and brings about the time that although America has gotten past its days of slavery, there are still dark days ahead. There is still racism and segregation that go on, but Douglass will be the “pilot” that will lead them through this storm. The authors’ use of a variety of literary devices adds depth and support to the poems’ theme of resolving the problems of society. Both poems “London, 1802” and “Douglass” use apostrophes to address the audience. “Milton!” is used to address the dead English poet and “Ah Douglass,” addresses the abolitionist leader. For the first line both Wordsworth and Dunbar praise their audience as the notable individuals who will help return cultural values to the decadent societies. “Thou shouldst be living at this hour” and “we have fall’n on evil days” bring in a similar tone of discouragement and insisting for a change in society’s current corruption. The metaphor in “London, 1802”, “she is a fen of stagnant waters” outlines the grey aura that has gone over England demeaning its “altar, sword, and pen” while “The awful tide” in “Douglass” represents the growing number of slavery in the United States. Although both authors mark a struggle for different situations their perseverance and sincerity on the subject connect both men, Milton and Douglass into achieving a similar goal of gaining back manners, virtue, freedom and power. In line 9 Milton is referred to as the “star” which re