The poem "Animals" is written by Walt Whitman, who departs from traditional rhyme schemes by employing free verse.
One of the predominant figures of speech in the poem is repetition, with impactful lines like "They do not sweat…," "They do not lie awake…," and "They do not make me sick…" highlighting the qualities that humans lack but should embody. Other figures of speech used include alliteration, tautology, and hyperbole.
The central theme of the poem suggests that animals possess qualities that make them superior to humans, emphasizing the poet's admiration for their natural behaviors and characteristics.