Page 85 - 100 Best Loved Poems - Teaching Unit

“A Noiseless Patient Spider”
by Walt Whitman, page 67

Vocabulary
promontory – part of land that projects out, as into water
ductile – in this case, capable of being drawn out into threads
gossamer – delicate; gauzy

1. Why do you think Whitman uses the repetition of “filament, filament, filament” in the
fourth line, rather than simply using the plural “filaments”?

Answers may vary. Example: The repetition mirrors the action of the spider, enabling the
reader to envision the spider’s lively work.

2. In what way is the speaker’s soul similar to the spider?

The speaker’s soul also throws out “filaments” in its search for meaning, answers, and a
sense of home in the world.

3. Record an instance of apostrophe in the poem.

Apostrophe occurs when the speaker addresses his soul, which cannot speak back: “And
you O my soul…”

4. How does the speaker seem to feel about his soul? What emotion is there?

Answers may vary. Example: The speaker seems to feel that his soul is both delicate and
marvelous; he almost seems to encourage it in its challenging business. Emotions may
include hope and tenderness.

5. What analogy does he make using the spider that is the subject of his title?

Whitman watches a spider cast out threads of filament as it explores the space in front if it,
drawing an analogy to his soul, and how it continues to explore the world around it, with
its thoughts and feelings each similar to the spider’s filaments. Just as the spider hopes its
filament will catch on to something that will hold its weight, Whitman’s soul hopes some of
its feelings and ideas will become solid, permanent, and lasting.

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