Question

Read the poem below, then complete the assignment. This poem is an example of how Whitman’s poetry reflects Transcendental themes such as Nature. (9 Points)

“A Noiseless Patient Spider” by Walt Whitman
[1] A noiseless patient spider,
I mark’d where on a little promontory it stood isolated,
Mark’d how to explore the vacant vast surrounding,
It launch’d forth filament, filament, filament, out of itself,
[5] Ever unreeling them, ever tirelessly speeding them.

And you O my soul where you stand,
Surrounded, detached, in measureless oceans of space,
Ceaselessly musing, venturing, throwing, seeking the spheres to connect them,
Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold,
[10] Till the gossamer thread you fling catch somewhere, O my soul.


To demonstrate your understanding of figurative language in Transcendentalist literature, please write a brief paragraph (six to eight sentences) to explain the personification of the spider in the poem.
Support your analysis by citing evidence from the poem in the form of at least three specific examples including the line number where each example is located in the poem.

Follow these additional guidelines to ensure success with this assignment.
Cite strong evidence from the text to support your analysis of personification in the poem.
Provide at least three specific examples (each with an explanation) of personification in the poem to demonstrate your understanding of figurative language.
Be sure the examples provided are significant and relevant (i.e., they correctly exemplify personification and can be explained as doing such).

Answer 1

Step-by-step explanation:

The personification of the spider in Walt Whitman's poem "A Noiseless Patient Spider" serves as a representation of the human soul and its transcendental journey of seeking connection with the vast universe.

Firstly, in line 1, the spider is described as "noiseless" and "patient," attributing human qualities to it. This personification implies that the spider possesses a deliberate and calm demeanor, mirroring the human qualities of patience and stillness.

Secondly, in lines 4-5, the repetition of the word "filament" emphasizes the spider's actions of launching forth its silk threads. By attributing the ability to launch filaments repeatedly, Whitman endows the spider with a tireless and persistent nature, akin to the relentless pursuit of knowledge and connection by the human soul.

Lastly, in lines 9-10, the spider's web-building process is likened to the journey of the soul. The phrase "Till the bridge you will need be form’d, till the ductile anchor hold" suggests that the soul, like the spider, seeks to create connections and establish a firm anchor amidst the vastness of existence.

Through these instances of personification, Whitman evokes the notion that the spider represents the soul's longing for connection, exploration, and the need to find a place of belonging in the vast expanses of the universe. The spider's actions and characteristics mirror the human qualities of patience, persistence, and the relentless pursuit of meaning and connection.