The History of Walt Whitman’s “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer”
When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer is often considered to be one of the greatest works of Walt Whitman – one of the most celebrated poets of the nineteenth century. It was first published in the 1855 edition of Leaves of Grass, his most influential collection of poetry. This particular work was a part of a section of the volume entitled “Drum-Taps” – a series of poems written after the end of the American Civil War.
According to literary authorities, the poem was inspired by Whitman’s observation of a lecture given by the eminent professor, John W. Draper. Whitman’s handwriting in the margin of an 1856 lecture is the evidence of his visit. Around the same time, Professor Draper wrote about the experience in a 1856 letter. That is considered to be the first account of an actual event that may have helped shape the later poem.
The poem’s poignant tale centers on the narrator being in a room filled with stargazers. He is listening to a professor talk about the stars and general astronomy. Being in the room, the narrator observes the reactions of other stargazers as the professor talks, comparing the professor’s calculations to their unmeasured enthusiasm. At first, the narrator is impressed by the professor’s data, but later gains the realization of what truly matters to the universe and more importantly, to the human race. This is a journey that ultimately leads the narrator away from the lecture room and out in the night to take in the beauty and magnitude of the stars.
Although Whitman was an astoundingly unique writer, his work oftentimes mirrored the sentiment of the Romantics and Transcendentalists, who preached that the humanities are every bit as important as science and mathematics. Moreover, their beliefs were that truth and knowledge could be found through the observations of natural events and study of nature, instead of just through the practices of logic and reasoning. On the surface, When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer was a witty commentary on the struggle between science and humanities, but it also served to prompt the reader to look beyond the complexities of modern life and recognize that there is a greater power at work in the universe and all its inhabitants.
The poem quickly resonated with Whitman’s readers and other poets of the Time, some of whom felt so inspired by the work that they went on to write about the stars in their own works. Since its publication, the poem has stirred conversations about the power of poetry and its part in understanding both the world and ourselves.
Interpretations of the Poem
Writers both in the past and present have debated the greater meaning behind Whitman’s poem. The debate has revolved around whether the poem is meant to be seen as a metaphor for the American Civil War, or whether its primary message is about the search for truth and knowledge. Regardless, the poem conveys Whitman’s suggestion that no human-made knowledge can match the magnificence of nature and that peace and serenity come in being humbled by nature’s greatness, rather than striving and competing to gain knowledge and power over other humans.
The song was actually written to provide comfort to those affected by the war. By highlighting beauty and mystery of nature Whitman hoped to show those dealing with hardships and loss during a difficult and violent period that there is still beauty and love left in the world. Although he never explicitly states this, Whitman’s desire to impart hope and serenity throughout the poem is clear. Additionally, many believe that Whitman was speaking from his own personal experience of having lost family members to the war.
As an American poet of the time, Whitman often wrote about topics such as democracy or slavery, but he also wrote about nature and his position as a spiritual wanderer. His poem is ultimately about the beauty of nature and the power of spiritual truths in a time of shifting thoughts and ideals. It is a celebration of what nature has to offer and its unappreciated contribution to the wisdom of man.
Use of Language
Whitman made use of a number of poetic devices to convey his message in this poem. He wanted to produce a poem with a universal thematic quality, one that could make a lasting impact on the minds of his readers. To do this, he used strong imagery, structure and the use of figurative language. The use of collected imagery is particularly interesting, considering how the poem is organized. By combining scientific information, such as the mentioning of stars and planets, with poetic descriptions, Whitman is able to effectively construct an image of nature that effectively captures its beauty.
The language used in the poem also serves as a subtle reminder that Whitman is speaking from his personal experiences as a spiritual wanderer. This is found in phrases like “silent storehouse of airy forms,” which echoes a spiritualist’s reverence for the unknown, and “rich showering rain,” which serves to describe his love for nature.
Most of the poem’s imagery is drawn from the night sky, reinforcing Whitman’s focus on nature. The mood of the poem is one of darkness, reflecting both the physical darkness of night, and more importantly, the darkness of the human soul. The poem also includes an optimistic tone, thus making clear Whitman’s belief that enlightenment can be gained through understanding the starry night.
Relevance
More than a century and a half later, Whitman’s poem is still relevant today. Though his actual audience reached only a certain distance, his writing inspired other works of art that resonated through the centuries. When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer reminds the reader to pause and consider the significance of the beauty and power of the universe, even in a time of turmoil.
Today, the poem stands as a reminder that despite all the various advances, we have still not mastered all the mysteries of life, and that sometimes the most important truths can be found in places we least expect them. As Whitman himself wrote, “If nothing lay more develop’d, the palm stands for something”. In other words, life has a way of unraveling its secrets in mysterious ways.
Legacy
When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer has become one of the most notable works in Walt Whitman’s canon and a cornerstone of Transcendentalist poetry. In this one poem, Whitman managed to capture the mystery, sublimity and even the wonderment of the night sky, while also addressing the importance of gaining a greater perspective and understanding of one’s self in relation to the world. It has since become one of the most popular and influential poems of the nineteenth century, inspiring generations of poets, scholars and readers alike.
In 1967, the American composer John Adams was inspired by this poem to write his orchestral work,” When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer.” The work was premiered at Carnegie Hall and was met with critical acclaim. Moreover, the poem’s legacy is evident in the ongoing popularity of its many interpretations, be they musical, literary or visual. Even today, the poem continues to capture the imaginations of readers and performers of differing ages and backgrounds.
Contemporary Connections
Whitman’s poem speaks to themes of disillusionment, despair and hope in a world filled with conflict and tragedy, and this continues to ring true today. We live in a world where the knowledge we gain, the power our leaders and institutions wield and the familiar comforts of technology can all, at times, lead us astray from understanding what truly matters. On the flip side, the great magnitude and complexity of nature, in all its forms, is often forgotten. It is easy to get lost in the daily grind of finding solutions, so much that we overlook the beauty and mystery of nature.
Yet, through the poem, Whitman is reminding us that what matters is life’s fragility. Through his poetic imagery, he conveys a sense of presence, of being connected to something larger than the present moment and the tangible world. He speaks of the unknown truths that nature holds, the power of its beauty and how, in moments of darkness, we can draw solace and strength its grandeur. Ultimately, this is the greater wisdom that this poem conveys.
Critical Perspective
It is clear that Whitman’s When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer has moved audiences since its heart-stirring publication. For some, the poem signifies a search for insight beyond the facts of modern life and science, of the search for connection and spiritual understanding in life. For others, it represents a nostalgia for the simpler, more spiritual times of the Transcendentalist period.
From a critical perspective, the poem is like a microcosm of Whitman’s collection of works in Leaves of Grass. It is not only a celebration of the natural world and its beauty, but also a statement of Whitman’s own sentiments of proper living in a turbulent era. Through his poem, Whitman’s voice continues to echo in the present, reminding us to take pleasure in the world’s beauty and to recognize that life’s deeper meaning lies in the heavenly heavens.
Critical Analysis
In When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer, Walt Whitman brings forth a powerful message on the legacy of human knowledge and its incompleteness compared to the beauty of nature. Through the use of vivid imagery, strong emotion and a narrative structure, Whitman effectively conveys his message that knowledge and enlightenment can be found in the majesty of the night sky, and that sometimes, we need to look to the sky to gain a deeper understanding of the universe and of ourselves.
At the same time, the poem also serves as an example of how literature of a certain period in history can be clearly reflective of the people, the culture, and the beliefs of that time. This particular poem speaks to the importance of a balanced approach to knowledge and to living a meaningful life. In a time of conflict, Whitman offers hope to a people who wearied of the constant battles, reminding them of the endless beauty and potential of the night sky.
The poem remains hugely relevant today, continuing to captivate audiences with its powerful imagery, emotion and message. Whitman’s work continues to inspire readers to look beyond their own horizons, to confront life’s greater mysteries and to remember that beauty and truth can be found in even the darkest of hours.
