Diction and Symbolism in Keats and Frost's Star Poems

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The Stars of Keats and Frost Although both "Bright Star" by John Keats and "Choose Something Like a Star" by Robert Frost both address a star with a spirit of awe, the first uses formal diction to express a wish while the second uses informal diction and contains a lesson. "Bright Star" contains lofty, formal kinds of words such as "thou art" and "splendor hung aloft" to show reverence toward the star. Keat's specific word choices also contribute to the theme of the poem that man wishes happiness would last forever. Comparing the star to an eye with "eternal lids apart" brings to mind God, who is connected with eternity and happiness and the sky or heavens. The star is also compared with a hermit wich brings to mind silence, holiness, and solemnity. The word "ripening" connotes life, and the speaker wishes to enjoy the best of life "forever." Robert Frost's poem also address a star in the first fifteen lines, but the diction is informal. In plain, ordinary kinds of words, the speaker asks the star to "Say something to us that we can learn/By heart." The speaker of this poem wants the star to tell the secret of its steadfastness, instead of just wishing to be like the star. Then in the last ten lines, this poem adds a lesson. Although the star seems to give "little aid," it teaches the speaker "something in the end." The speaker feels that just thinking of the noble star will help him to be steadfast and not to be swayed easily with the "mob."

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