Respond to one of the following essay prompts: A. Poe believed that good short stories require a single, unifying effect. Evaluate one of the stories in the American Romanticism unit using Poe’s standard of unity. Do the descriptions, incidents, and images all contribute to the single effect of the story? Is there a single effect? Feel free to evaluate Poe’s own story. B. Consider what you have learned about American history during the period of 1820 to 1864. How do the stories in the American Romanticism reflect what was going on in the country then? C. Read and analyze "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" by Walt Whitman. What Romantic ideas does it express, and how does the structure of the poem reinforce the meaning? When I heard the learn’d astronomer; When the proofs, the figures, were ranged in columns before me; When I was shown the charts and the diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them; When I, sitting, heard the astronomer, where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room, How soon, unaccountable, I became tired and sick; Till rising and gliding out, I wander’d off by myself, In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time, Look’d up in perfect silence at the stars.
C. "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" by Walt Whitman is a perfect example of a Romantic poem as it expresses several key Romantic ideas and utilizes a structure that reinforces its meaning.
One of the primary Romantic ideas expressed in the poem is the rejection of scientific rationality in favor of the sublime and spiritual. The speaker initially attends a lecture by a knowledgeable astronomer where they are presented with proofs, figures, charts, and diagrams, all representing the scientific method. However, instead of finding enlightenment or inspiration, the speaker becomes tired and sick of this detached, analytical approach to understanding the cosmos. It is only when they leave the lecture room and immerse themselves in the natural world, under the "mystical moist night-air," that they truly experience a profound connection with the stars. This idea of finding truth and transcendence outside of scientific facts is a central tenet of Romanticism.
The structure of the poem reinforces this Romantic idea by juxtaposing the rigid, analytical environment of the lecture room with the free, immersive experience of nature. The first three stanzas consist of long, elaborated sentences, mirroring the organized and methodical presentation of scientific knowledge. These sentences are filled with technical language such as "proofs," "figures," "charts," and "diagrams," emphasizing the precise and logical thinking associated with science. However, in the fourth stanza, the tone changes dramatically as the speaker abruptly cuts themselves off from the lecture and embraces the untamed beauty of nature. This shift is mirrored in the structure of the poem, with shorter and more fragmented lines reflecting the speaker's increasing restlessness and dissatisfaction with the confinement of the lecture room. The final line, "Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars," is isolated on its own, highlighting the speaker's awe and wonder in the face of the vast, mysterious universe.
Overall, "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" aligns with several Romantic ideas, such as the rejection of scientific rationality in favor of the sublime and spiritual. The structure of the poem effectively reinforces this meaning by contrasting the analytical lecture room with the immersive experience of nature, ultimately emphasizing the speaker's yearning for a more authentic and emotional connection with the universe.
I will respond to essay prompt C: Read and analyze "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" by Walt Whitman. What Romantic ideas does it express, and how does the structure of the poem reinforce the meaning?
"When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" by Walt Whitman is a poem that largely reflects Romantic ideas. The poem explores the dichotomy between scientific knowledge and the awe-inspiring beauty of nature, a common theme in Romantic literature.
Firstly, the poem expresses the Romantic notion of the importance of individual experience and intuition. The speaker begins by describing the structured and logical atmosphere of the lecture room, with the proofs, figures, charts, and diagrams presented by the learned astronomer. However, the repetitive and monotonous nature of these explanations causes the speaker to become "tired and sick," yearning for a deeper, more personal connection with the subject matter.
Next, the speaker's decision to leave the lecture room symbolizes a rejection of scientific rationality and a desire for a more transcendental experience. The shift from the confined space of the lecture room to the open night-air represents a return to nature and a rejection of the sterile environment of academia. The speaker finds solace in the "mystical moist night-air" and silently gazes at the stars, emphasizing the sublime beauty of the natural world.
The structure of the poem reinforces its meaning by contrasting the two different environments depicted. The first three stanzas, with their regular and structured lines, describe the lecture room and the speaker's growing dissatisfaction. The repetitive "When" at the beginning of each line emphasizes the dull and mechanical nature of the scientific explanations.
In contrast, the final stanza breaks free from this structure and uses more descriptive and emotive language. The longer lines and the use of phrases such as "I wander'd off by myself" and "Look'd up in perfect silence at the stars" convey a sense of freedom and personal connection to nature. This structural shift emphasizes the speaker's embrace of the Romantic idea of the individual experiencing the natural world firsthand, rather than relying solely on analytical and scientific explanations.
Overall, "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" effectively expresses Romantic ideas such as the contrast between reason and nature, the importance of individual experience, and the longing for transcendence. The structure of the poem reinforces these ideas by contrasting the confined space of the lecture room with the expansive freedom of the natural world.
Prompt C: Read and analyze "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" by Walt Whitman. What Romantic ideas does it express, and how does the structure of the poem reinforce the meaning?
To answer this prompt, let's first dive into the poem itself and analyze its content. "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" by Walt Whitman is a short poem that explores the conflict between science and the beauty of nature, a common theme prevalent during the Romantic period.
The poem begins with the speaker attending a lecture by a learned astronomer. The speaker describes the setting, with proofs, figures, charts, and diagrams, highlighting the analytical, factual, and logical approach of the astronomer. However, as the poem progresses, the speaker becomes tired and sick of this scientific presentation. In contrast, he longs for a more mystical experience, seeking solace in the night-air under the vastness of the stars.
The poem expresses several Romantic ideas, including the reverence for nature, the rejection of rationalism, and the desire for a more intuitive and emotional connection with the world. The speaker's weariness with the astronomer's lecture reflects a dissatisfaction with the reduction of nature to facts and figures. The poem suggests that true appreciation of the cosmos lies not in its scientific understanding but in a direct, unmediated encounter with its beauty.
Furthermore, the structure of the poem itself reinforces its meaning. Whitman employs a free verse form, with no strict rhyme or meter, allowing for a sense of fluidity and natural expression. This form mirrors the organic and spontaneous connection to nature that Romanticism often idealizes. The poem is also divided into two distinct parts. The first part depicts the lecture room, the analytical realm of the astronomer, while the second part transitions to the speaker's personal experience outside in nature. This division emphasizes the contrast between rationality and intuition, between the impersonal and the individual, strengthening the Romantic message of the poem.
In conclusion, "When I heard the Learn'd Astronomer" by Walt Whitman expresses Romantic ideas such as the rejection of scientific reductionism and the longing for a deeper, more emotional connection with nature. The poem's structure reinforces these ideas by contrasting the analytical lecture room with the speaker's personal experience in the mystical night-air. By understanding the content and structure of the poem, we can thoroughly analyze its meaning and the Romantic ideas it conveys.