Final answer:
Whitman's opinion of the stars in his poetry is best described as finding inspiration from them. His work reflects a deep connection with natural elements and uses them to explore human themes, emphasizing the importance and influence of the natural world like the stars in poetic expression.
Step-by-step explanation:
Based on the provided excerpts and understanding of Walt Whitman's poetry, the best conclusion we can draw about Whitman's opinion of the stars is that he finds inspiration in the stars. The passage indicates a profound connection and change in perception, suggesting that Whitman feels a sense of companionship and awe when looking at the stars. For example, the line 'Above him, through a V-shaped cleft in the dark rim of the cliff, shone the lus-trous stars that had been his lonely accusers for a long, long year' implies a deep, contemplative relationship with the stars.
In Whitman's poetry, he often uses natural elements as a source of inspiration and as a way to connect larger human themes with the natural world, signifying how integral these elements are to our existence. His use of natural elements like stars and free verse poetry underpins his approach to finding meaning in the grandeur of the universe, as evidenced by lines such as 'There is nothing like astronomy to pull the stuff out of man' and 'You furnish your parts toward eternity.' Therefore, the contrast between urban life and the natural world, as well as the absence of traditional poetic structure in free verse, serve as defining characteristics of Whitman's poetry.