"When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer" is a poem by Walt Whitman that expresses the speaker's dissatisfaction with a scientific approach to understanding the universe, in contrast to the visceral experience and wonder evoked by directly observing .......
When I heard the learn'd astronomer - New Oxford Modern English - Class 8 - English
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Back Questions - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Literature | English | Class 8
In the first half of the poem, where is the poet?
The poet is in a lecture room hearing a learned astronomer give a speech, where he is shown proofs, figures, charts, and diagrams. This is presumably a formal educational or academic setting.
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In the first half of the poem, who is the poet with, and what is he doing?
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Sign up nowWhich words or phrases show that the astronomer is respected by the poet and the audience?
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Sign up nowWhat scientific tools and methods does the astronomer use?
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Sign up nowIn the second half of the poem, where is the poet?
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Sign up nowIn the second half of the poem, who is the poet with, and what is he doing?
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Sign up nowWhat words and images in the first half of the poem are a contrast to 'the perfect silence' in the final one?
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Sign up nowCount the syllables in each line. What do you notice about the pattern in the first four lines? What do you think is suggested by this?
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Sign up nowWhat do you notice about the number of syllables in each line of the last four lines? What does this suggest about the poet's feelings?
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Sign up nowNote that the poem consists of one sentence. What has the poet done to signal a change in the poet's thoughts and feelings? What are the different thoughts and feelings he has in the two halves of the poem?
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Sign up nowHow does Whitman use repetition and sounds in the second half of the poem to convey that the poet is captivated by the stars in the night sky?
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Sign up nowExtra Questions - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Literature | English | Class 8
When I heard the learn’d astronomer....
- Who is the 'I' here?
- Where was the speaker at that time?
- Explain what exactly does he mean by learn’d.
a. The "I" in the poem refers to the poet Walt Whitman himself. The "learn'd astronomer" refers to an educated and knowledgeable expert in astronomy who was giving a lecture to an audience.
b. The speaker was in a lecture room, listening to the astronomer as he presented proofs, figures, charts, and diagrams about the stars and the universe.
c. By "learn'd," Whitman means someone who is highly educated, knowledgeable, and well-versed in a particular subject, in this case, astronomy. The use of the word "learn'd" instead of "learned" is an example of literary license, which allows the poet to maintain the rhythm and meter of the poem.
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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
- What proofs and figures is the poet talking about?
- Who was showing them and why?
- Was the poet convinced with the proofs and charts shown?
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Sign up nowWhen I heard the learn'd astronomer Quiz - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
Vocabulary - Flashcards - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
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Unlock now 🔓About the Author - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
Walt Whitman (1819-1892), considered one of America's most influential poets, was born in West Hills, Long Island, New York. As a revolutionary figure in American poetry, Whitman is often referred to as the "father of free verse," having pioneered this form with his groundbreaking collection, "Leaves of Grass" (1855). His work captures the essence of the American spirit and the country's contradictions, blending lyricism and colloquialisms, celebrating democracy and individualism while maintaining a deep connection with nature.
Whitman's style lies in his ability to merge the mundane with the profound, breaking conventional poetic structures and diction. He embraced various subjects, from human experiences, like love and death, to sociopolitical themes, such as equality, slavery, and the Civil War, thus highlighting the interconnectedness of all things. Moreover, he was able to usher in a new era of poetry that celebrated the every day and the transcendent alike.
Summary - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
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Themes - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
1. Connection with Nature
Whitman emphasizes the importance of experiencing the natural world viscerally and directly, as opposed to understanding it solely through scientific means. The speaker feels a profound connection with the celestial objects when observing ....
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Unlock now 🔓Symbols - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
In "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer," Walt Whitman uses a few key symbols to convey the poem's themes and messages:
1. The Learn'd Astronomer: The astronomer represents scientific and analytical thinking, as well as the traditional, formal education system. He stands for ...
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Unlock now 🔓Poetic Devices - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
Walt Whitman employs various poetic devices in "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer" to create a vivid experience for the reader and emphasize the poem's themes:
1. Repetition: The poem begins with several lines that start with "When," creating a sense of rhythm and echoing the speaker's gradual disengagement from the analytical lecture.
2. Enjambment: Whitman frequently uses enjambment, the continuation of a sentence without a pause beyond the end of a line, to create...
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Unlock now 🔓Vocabulary - When I heard the learn'd astronomer | New Oxford Modern English | Class 8 Literature | English
Ranged: placed or arranged in a row or rows or in a specified manner
The books were neatly ranged in alphabetical order on the library shelves.Astronomer: A scientist who studies celestial bodies such as planets, stars, and galaxies.
The astronomer spent countless nights studying the movements of the stars.
Proofs: Evidence or argument establishing a fact or the truth of a statement.
The detective collected.............................
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