Romanticism:
* Emphasis on emotion and individual experience: The speaker's response to the lecture is highly personal and emotional. He is moved by the vastness of the universe but ultimately finds solace and meaning in the simple, direct experience of nature.
* Nature as a source of inspiration and truth: The poem contrasts the "lecture" with the speaker's own experience of the "night of stars" and the "mystical moist night-air." The natural world is seen as a more authentic source of knowledge and wonder than intellectual discourse.
* Individuality and the power of imagination: The speaker's unique perspective on the universe is emphasized, highlighting his ability to see beauty and meaning beyond the cold facts presented by the astronomer.
* Subjectivity and intuition: The poem relies on the speaker's own feelings and interpretations, rather than presenting an objective view of the universe.
Departures from Romanticism:
* Focus on science and reason: While the poem criticizes the scientific lecture, it doesn't completely reject reason. The speaker acknowledges the importance of knowledge and understanding.
* Modernity and urban life: The setting of the lecture hall hints at an urban setting, a departure from the traditional Romantic focus on rural and idyllic landscapes.
Overall, "I Heard a Lecture on Astronomy" can be seen as a Romantic poem that acknowledges the power of imagination and the importance of individual experience. However, it also shows a nuanced understanding of the role of reason and science in understanding the world.
The poem's exploration of the tension between scientific knowledge and personal experience is a hallmark of American Romanticism, a branch of the movement that sought to integrate the advancements of the modern era with the core values of Romanticism.