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  1. Some prominent themes in this poem are isolation, humanity, and the natural environment. The speaker's perspective of learning and society's conception of "knowledge" are both presented in the poem. The poet expresses dissatisfaction with the mathematical reasoning used in the scientific method as iRead more

    Some prominent themes in this poem are isolation, humanity, and the natural environment. The speaker’s perspective of learning and society’s conception of “knowledge” are both presented in the poem. The poet expresses dissatisfaction with the mathematical reasoning used in the scientific method as it was explained by the astronomer in the lecture hall. The poet views the astronomer’s lecture as nothing more than a list of statistics that he is unable to comprehend, despite the method in which he presents the real-world data. He, therefore, loves taking nature walks to experience its enchantment. The poem elaborates on how humans might enjoy particular things in the midst of nature on a higher level.

    When I Heard The Learn’d Astronomer Summary

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  1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, “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” and “When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lecturedRead more

    1. Imagery: Imagery is used to make readers perceive things involving their five senses. For example, “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” and “When I sitting heard the astronomer where he lectured with much applause in the lecture-room.”
    2. Assonance: Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line. For example, the sound of /ea/ in “When I heard the learn’d astronomer” and the sound of /i/ in “Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself”.
    3. Consonance: Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line. For example, the sound of /r/ in “When I heard the learn’d astronomer” and the sound of /s/ in “When I was shown the charts and diagrams, to add, divide, and measure them”.
    4. Alliteration: Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line in quick succession. For example, the sounds of /m/ and /t/ in “In the mystical moist night-air, and from time to time”.
    5. Hyperbole: Hyperbole is a device used to exaggerate any statement for the sake of emphasis. For example, “Till rising and gliding out I wander’d off by myself”. The poet cannot actually glide out of the lecture hall.

    When I Heard The Learn’d Astronomer Summary

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  1. The poem draws a clear distinction between cosmic reality and scientific understanding. The speaker is watching while an astronomer uses tables, graphs, and columns to demonstrate mathematical concepts while describing data about stars. His expertise and explaining techniques are well received by thRead more

    The poem draws a clear distinction between cosmic reality and scientific understanding. The speaker is watching while an astronomer uses tables, graphs, and columns to demonstrate mathematical concepts while describing data about stars. His expertise and explaining techniques are well received by the audience. Due to the boring and repetitive talk, the speaker gets fatigued. He finally exits the lecture classroom and stands outside in quiet while gazing up at the sky. He seemed to be more enthralled by the stunning stars than by the proofs and evidence about stars. The poem makes the point that knowledge is independent of mathematical interpretations created by humans. To fully comprehend nature’s mysteries, one must venture into its embrace.

    When I Heard The Learn’d Astronomer Summary

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