When I Heard the Learned Astronomer
by Walt Whitman
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 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.
Directions:
Write a paragraph that analyzes how Walt Whitman uses different literary devices in order to advance Romantic themes* in his poem. Consider such things as diction, syntax, imagery, sound devices, etc. You may also address how Whitman advances Romantic themes by creating contrast to those ideas.
You must provide a quotation for each support, and follow all style rules.
* For this poem we focused on the importance of the emotional experience and enjoyment of nature rather than a scientific one.
____
Write your second body paragraph on the poem "Misiver Cheevey", by Edgar Arlington Robinson. For this poem, we focused on the Realist interpretation that the main character is unhappy because he wants to live in the past, that ironically never existed. Please follow style guidelines for this as well.
