Poetry Explication (Genre)

Genre 3 / Poetry Explication / 1 of 3
ASTRONOMY AND THE KNIVES OF TRUTH
The two chosen poems are “When I Heard the Learn’d Astronomer,” by Walt
Whitman, and “The Wayfarer” by Stephen Crane. Both poems can be fairly considered to
be free verse, since neither rhyme and both follow the general pattern of speech. “When I
Heard the Learn’d Astronomer” concerns the pitfalls of rationality, and “The Wayfarer”
concerns the tendency of humans to avoid challenges. Both poems concern human faults,
whether it be the over-application of cold rational thinking in “When I Heard the Learn’d
Astronomer” or the flawed protagonist who fails to take the path to truth when he
discovers the challenges which lay in his way. However, “When I Heard the Learn’d
Astronomer” seems to be more focused on the quality of nature and “The Wayfarer”
seems to be more focused on the quality of human nature.
However, there still exists a protagonist in “When I Heard the Learn’d
Astronomer,” which is assumed to be the author, since it is in first person. The poem, in
past tense, reflects a time when the protagonist heard a scientific lecture given by a
respected astronomer. When he saw how focused the astronomer was on the cold, hard
rationality, the protagonist was sick with disapproval. Finally, he goes off alone and
marvels at the night sky.
Figuratively, Whitman uses this poem to express his displeasure with people who
do not appreciate nature for its magnificent beauty. Whitman is extremely reverent of the
natural world, and the utilization of the first person form helps create a similar image for
his protagonist. The “Learn’d Astronomer” represents the over-rationalization of nature,
and the “applause” which he receives infers selfishness. Whitman’s tone is very mellow
and he perhaps feels overwhelmed by the world of “Learn’d Astronomers,” which would
explain the theme of seclusion which ensues the protagonist’s departure from the large
body of people who are listening to the astronomer. It would be understandable to
conclude that Whitman is against science and rationality, but that conclusion is not
necessarily true. Whitman is against people who do not understand the sacred beauty of
nature, which, often times can be the seemingly emotionless “Learn’d Astronomer”.
Stephen Crane’s poem, “The Wayfarer” is written in third person, and can fairly
be considered an extended metaphor. The poem’s protagonist is the wayfarer, and it
concerns his initial trip to truth. However, he finds that the pathway which he believes
will lead him to truth is already overgrown with weeds. Upon finding out that the weeds
which are covering the pathway to truth are, in fact, many individual knives, he mumbles
to himself that there must be other ways of getting to his destination of truth that aren’t so
hazardous.
But the protagonist is wrong. Crane’s tone in this poem is satirical. He is
ridiculing the Wayfarer’s decision to avoid the painful path to truth. Crane carefully
chooses verbs to illustrate the foolishness of the wayfarer. For example, the wayfarer
“mumbled” that there must be other roads, which accentuates the wayfarer’s insecurity
and thus destroys the credibility of the wayfarer’s conclusion. It is clear that Crane
believes the only way to truth is through the weeds of knives, meaning, metaphorically,
that the only way for one to achieve the sacred knowledge of truth is to suffer the
struggles that are required to arrive at truth. Crane’s contention is relevant to the field of
science: usually, the pathway to a truthful conclusion is unavoidably tumultuous and full
of hindrances, which, like a field of knives, make the journey to the truth a genuine
struggle.
Both poems heavily judge human nature. Whitman emphasizes the essential need
for humans to revere the beauty and magnificence of nature, and is revolted by the
unfeeling rationalist side of human nature. Crane judges the side of human nature
unwilling to struggle along the pathway to truth. Although Whitman’s “When I Heard the
Learn’d Astronomer” ends with an air of hope as the protagonist marvels at the night sky,
“The Wayfarer” ends with an air of failure as the wayfarer, discouraged, searches
(hopelessly) for a pathway to truth clear of hazards. Both Crane and Whitman exhibit
critical tones within their poems, and both discredit sides of human nature which is
personified by a character within the poem (for Crane, this is the wayfarer himself, and
for Whitman, this is the Learn’d Astronomer). Both poems are applicable to science and,
even though Whitman seems to be more of a mystic and to reject the rational spirit of
science, his protagonist maintains the passion for understanding the mysteries of the
cosmos which many scientists possess. Crane’s message about truth has obvious
applications to science’s rough-and-tumble way of working out solutions and theories for
the mysteries of the beautiful universe.

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Genre 3 / Poetry Explication / 1 of 3

ASTRONOMY AND THE KNIVES OF TRUTH

seems to be more focused on the quality of human nature.

However, there still exists a protagonist in “When I Heard the Learn’d

marvels at the night sky.

his protagonist. The “Learn’d Astronomer” represents the over-rationalization of nature,

body of people who are listening to the astronomer. It would be understandable to

be considered an extended metaphor. The poem’s protagonist is the wayfarer, and it

But the protagonist is wrong. Crane’s tone in this poem is satirical. He is

the mysteries of the beautiful universe.

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