The Irony and Imagery in Walt Whitman's "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer"

This analysis of Whitman's "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer" focuses on the use of imagery and irony to identify the tension between science and Romance.

PAGES
2

WORDS
563

Cite

View Full Essay

About this essay

Generating Preview...

View other essays like this one:

Bridget's feedback:

"Your analysis of Whitman's poem is well-organized and does a good job of advancing the argument using quotations and literary devices. This is overall a well crafted close read that engages with the ideas and style. My first main recommendation is to make sure your conclusion is not simply repeating the introduction ("there are parts of life that you must..."). While you will reinforce and reiterate ideas from the introduction, you do not want to outright repeat phrases and sentences: this can give the effect that nothing has been advanced since the introduction. Instead, remember that you have shared evidence and ideas with your reader. They have a new understanding of the ideas: the language of the conclusion should reflect this. Second, your discussion will gain a lot of depth if you make sure to integrate into the body discussion the contrast you identify in the introduction between science and the romantic. You point out the scientific terminology in the first body paragraph. How do the elements of the second half of the poem correspond to the romantic? Picking up this thread will flesh out your thesis and also help the reader understand the overarching theme you've identified."

Learn more about this feedback

In-text citation:

(Kibin, 2025)

Reference list entry:

Kibin. (2025). The irony and imagery in walt whitman's "when i heard the learn'd astronomer". http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-irony-and-imagery-in-walt-whitmans-when-i-heard-the-learnd-astronomer-dR4DAXMj

Be sure to capitalize proper nouns (e.g. Egypt) and titles (e.g. Macbeth) in the essay title portion of your citation.

In-text citation:

("The Irony and Imagery in Walt Whitman's "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer".")

Works Cited entry:

"The Irony and Imagery in Walt Whitman's "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer"." Kibin, 2025, www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-irony-and-imagery-in-walt-whitmans-when-i-heard-the-learnd-astronomer-dR4DAXMj

Footnote:

1. "The Irony and Imagery in Walt Whitman's "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer"." Kibin, 2025. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-irony-and-imagery-in-walt-whitmans-when-i-heard-the-learnd-astronomer-dR4DAXMj.

Bibliography entry:

"The Irony and Imagery in Walt Whitman's "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer"." Kibin, 2025. http://www.kibin.com/essay-examples/the-irony-and-imagery-in-walt-whitmans-when-i-heard-the-learnd-astronomer-dR4DAXMj.