Final answer:
Walt Whitman's poem "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer" suggests that direct experience and personal connection with nature can offer a deeper understanding than formal scientific analysis alone.
Step-by-step explanation:
In "When I Heard the Learn'd Astronomer," Walt Whitman reflects on his experience of attending a scientific lecture and feeling overwhelmed by the dry, factual nature of the astronomer's presentation. The poem contrasts the sterile environment of the lecture hall with the speaker's profound, personal experience of stargazing alone in the quiet night. Whitman's poem illuminates the idea that a purely analytical approach can sometimes distance us from the natural wonder and emotional connection we have with the world, essentially stating that direct experience is as valuable as, if not more than, formal knowledge. This sentiment aligns with Whitman's overall theme of celebrating the ordinary and finding beauty in common experiences, as expressed in his broader body of work, which often embraces a more intuitive and sensory engagement with life. The poem advocates for a balance between intellectual understanding and experiential wonder.