The subject of science–what makes it so captivating for some people? Is it the analytical component of the domain or is it more so the phenomena that create endless wonders for some? Or the theorems that calculate the mysterious marvels of the universe? Walt Whitman takes these questions into account in his poem, “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” which discusses the weariness he experiences after attending an astronomer’s lecture, and how he would recover from this by wandering outside, under the stars. The speaker appreciates stargazing alongside pondering about the mystical sky in replacement of hearing a lecture and learning newfound knowledge of formulas to explain the universe. To express this feeling, he places a shift in tone after line 4 of the poem. This shift …show more content…
Before the shift in line 4, the speaker describes the astronomer’s lecture and what he has to offer from his presentation of the presumed ‘equations of the universe’. The speaker witnessed, “proofs, [figures], [that] were ranged in columns before [them]... / charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them” (Whitman 2-3). All that the speaker heard was from a perspective where analysis is encompassed within the threads of the universe and the mysteries of science; where explanations are deemed of greater practicality than observations and simply enjoying the sight of the universe’s blessings. Which, during the transition, the speaker mentions that he dissented with the, “[many] applause[s].” (Whitman 4) and how, “soon, [the speaker] became tired and sick” (Whitman 5). The speaker finds these lectures about the speculations and proofs insipid, lifeless, and unremarkable. The applaud dedicated to the ‘learn’d astronomer’ from the audience did not convey its sense to the speaker. His disagreement with the applaud is further explained after the transition, where it is revealed that
Here Whitman’s persona is taking a great interest and pleasure in the mere routine and wit of this young man, who is most likely unaware of the fact he is being observed. Whitman is e...
Winston and the Blackmore use a variety of strategies and rituals to maintain relationships. One example is shown through marital/partnership maintenance with Winston and his wives and between the wives themselves and everyone in the family. According to the text, “the eight behavioral characteristics are: positivity, openness, assurance, understanding, networks, relational talks, self-disclosure, and tasks” (Galvin, Braithwaite, & Bylund, 2014). I also feel that the Blackmore family makes great use of intergenerational rituals. Is states in our text, rituals serve as a way to bond family members of all ages across generations, providing a sense of family identity and connection” (Galvin, Braithwaite, & Bylund, 2014). Since their family is
Pedagogy is a teaching style that is used to help students learn. Teachers often have a unique pedagogy that they prefer to follow. Some teachers prefer to lecture, others model, some simply assign the work, and to each their own. “…there is some evidence of teachers abandoning formal pedagogies in favor of informal ones…” (Cain). Walt Whitman was no different; he preferred a hands on approach when it came to teaching, and through his approach, he learned as much from the student as they did from him. Walt Whitman had several ideas and themes that came from his pedagogy as recorded in Song of Myself 6, 46, and 47.
The astronomer showed the students proofs, figures, charts, and diagrams. Whitman stated, “he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room.” (4,5) Everyone in the class applauded the astronomer , which showed that he was popular by societies standards. Eventually Whitman becomes tired and sick until he decides to wander off by himself. He says “in the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.” (7-9) Like Whitman’s poem “from Song of Myself” he talks about how he disagrees with traditional teaching. Instead of sitting and learning in a classroom he would rather go outside and actually see the world for himself. He also talks about nature and how it affects his learning. Once he went outside and saw the world in a different way he was at
"The man [Whitman] knew the world merely as an outside observer, he was never a living part of it, and no mere observer can understand the life about him.
Whitman is giving a more graphic example of how sex is a natural thing. By comparing the act of reproduction to death he shows just how natural of an act sex is. Everything that is born will eventually die. He feels that the natural curiosities of the human sexual appetites should not be denied or not discussed because of social standards. Not only is sex a "miracle" that is a part of him, but also nature and the universe, and each individual part should be celebrated.
Walt Whitman poem is about the marvel of astronomy. He wanted to learn about the stars. He went and heard an astronomer. He tells, “When I heard the learn’d astronomer, When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me.” All the data about astronomy was laid out in front of him, but this did not captivate his interest or filled his curiosity. It mad things worst. His plan to see the beauty in the stars was turned to boredom and sitting in a tiresome, lackluster lecture. He writes, “How soon unaccountable I became tired and sick.” The lecture, data, and astronomer were not the beauty he wanted to see. The visual experience is what he wanted to see. The silence and view of the stars was better for him than the lecture and data. The beauty is what he really wanted. He did not want the hard facts.
... (as determined by the 1891-1892 edition). Whitman?s answer to the question he posed to us earlier is now just what we might expect. ?They are alive and well somewhere;/The smallest sprout shows there is really no death? he tells us (116). This seems almost to say ?Good job?you followed my clues correctly, you too can read poetry.? By setting this section up, Whitman gives us one of his main themes that we can proceed to follow through this poem. At the same time, he shows us that one poem can be about many different ideas, and so cautions us against being too adamant about our newly discovered lens. His multitude of ?uttering tongues? can be confusing, but he does not leave us stranded?he gives us a map that shows one way to navigate this poem, and also the freedom to discover others at will.
Both “Astronomer” and “Tables” take the same stance on science and nature; nature is a better teacher than science and both cannot coexist naturally. Although these poems have
Walt Whitman reflects this Romantic attitude in the speaker of his poem. He situates the speaker in a lecture about astronomy that the speaker finds very dull and tedious. Thus the speaker looks past the charts, diagrams and the work that is involved with them and starts to imagine the beauty of the stars alone. Being lifted out of the lecture room, the speaker is freed of his stress and boredom and is able to enjoy the peace and true beauty that the stars embrace.
Lindfors, Berndt. "Whitman's 'When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer.'" Walt Whitman Review 10 (1964): 19-21.
scientific understanding detracts from an esthetic appreciation of nature: "The vastness of the heavens stretches my
In “I Sit and Look Out” Walt Whitman shows the carelessness in the absence of
Explication Through a multitude of literary devices and techniques, Walt Whitman's poem, "Song of Myself," is one of his most famous contributions to American literature. He uses simile and metaphor, paradox, rhythm, and free verse style, to convey his struggle between the relation of the body and soul, the physical and the spiritual being. He continues to disobey all social restrictions of the romantic time period. From the beginning, Whitman begins by stating, "What I shall assume, you shall assume, for every atom belonging to me as good belongs to you," proposing that the reader listen to him, for he possesses all of the answers to life. The setting is somewhat naturalistic, and offers an image of the speaker, relaxing, possibly sprawled out across a blanket, philosophizing about life, while in the middle of a peaceful meadow. As the poem later shifts in tone, and setting, Whitman starts to think about the answers to life he has come up with, based upon the past, and decides that the reader should hear him out, one final time, as his ideas have changed. This brings us to #44 of "Song of Myself." In section #44 of, "Song of Myself," Whitman's first stanza begins: "It's time to explain myself…let us stand up. What is known I strip away…I launch all men and women forward with me into the unknown. The clock indicates the moment…but what does eternity indicate? Eternity lies in bottomless reservoirs…its buckets are rising forever and ever, they pour and they pour and they exhale away." Whitman is simply stating that he wants to tell the purpose of his madness. The madness that Whitman expresses is that of power and self-confidence. Whitman has written this based upon his experiences in life. Through these experiences, he has grown to know certain things about life and tries to pass them down to the reader. Throughout the beginning of the poem, Whitman takes the reader by the hand and demands that he follows Whitman and his ideas, because based on his own life Whitman holds the answers to the reader's questions. But now, he asks the reader to erase everything that he has previously said - forget the past. Why don't we try something new? We have to focus on the present, not on the past, but also to focus on what we are going to experience in the future, what can we expect?
In “On the Beach at Night Alone,” Walt Whitman develops the idea that everyone has a connection with everything else, including nature. Whitman uses a variety of writing techniques to get his point across. First, the repetition and parallel structure that his poems contain reinforce the connection between everything in nature. The usage of “All” 11 times emphasizes the inclusion of everything in the universe. The sentence structure remains the same throughout the poem, without any drastic change; however, the length of the lines in the poem vary. In addition, Whitman’s’ extravagance with his words further illustrates his idea of the Over-Soul. For example, “A vast similitude interlocks all” (4) shows his verbose nature. Whitman does not do directly to the point, but gives every little detail. Most importantly, Whitman’s’ use of catalogues stands as the most recognizable Whitman characteristic that illustrates his beliefs. These long lists that he uses set the mood of the poem. “All spheres, grown, ungrown, small, large, suns, moons, planets,” (5) shows the idea that everything is connected in nature. Similarly, “All nations, colors, barbarisms, civilizations languages.” (10) furthermore emphasize Whitman’s belief in the Over-Soul.