While words of learned length and thundering sound Amaz'd the gazing rustics rang'd around

While words of learned length and thundering sound Amaz'd the gazing rustics rang'd around

Oliver Goldsmith, a renowned Irish writer and poet, was known for his eloquent use of language and his ability to captivate audiences with his words. In his poem "The Deserted Village," Goldsmith paints a vivid picture of a rural community that has been abandoned and left to decay. One of the most memorable lines from the poem is "While words of learned length and thundering sound Amaz'd the gazing rustics rang'd around."

In this line, Goldsmith is describing the effect that the educated and sophisticated language of the city dwellers has on the simple, uneducated villagers. The rustics, or country folk, are amazed and awestruck by the impressive vocabulary and powerful rhetoric of the city slickers. The contrast between the two groups highlights the divide between the educated elite and the working class, a theme that Goldsmith explores throughout the poem.

Goldsmith himself was a man of humble origins, born in a small village in Ireland and raised by a poor family. Despite his lack of formal education, he was able to rise above his circumstances and become a successful writer and scholar. His own experiences likely informed his portrayal of the rustics in "The Deserted Village," as he understood firsthand the challenges faced by those who were not born into privilege.

The line "While words of learned length and thundering sound Amaz'd the gazing rustics rang'd around" also speaks to the power of language to inspire and influence others. The rustics may not understand the words being spoken, but they are still moved by the passion and conviction behind them. Goldsmith himself was a master of language, able to craft beautiful and evocative prose that resonated with readers of all backgrounds.