In both Samuel Johnson and Housman’s poems, the focus is on the coming of age.

While

Housman takes a serious approach to his poem, Johnson take a satirical and well-thought route.

That is to say that through the poets use of poetic techniques, Johnson shows the novel

celebration behind the “coming of age” as Housman clearly demonstrates the serious nature of

adulthood.

Johnson’s use of alliteration and understatement exhibit the novelty behind the

celebration of the coming of age while truly exemplifying the importance of manhood. Johnson

begins his poem by clearly illustrating the novelties usually expressed along with the growing of

a young man: “Pomp and pleasure, pride and plenty, Great Sir John, are all your own” (3,4). The

poets use of alliteration not only emphasizes the things that are usually celebrated with a

coming of age but also captures the cadence of celebration. Through the “p” phonic, pomp may

truly be heard in the words of the phrase. Th