Excerpt from the Prelude Flashcards
Summarise the poem
- Written from the perspective of an adult reminiscing his childhood fondly
- Recall a winter’s evening where they went ice skating on a frozen lake with his friends
- They are called home but they ignore the calls because they are having so much fun and continue their wild game of chase across the ice
- At the end, the narrator reflects on how innocent and connected to nature they were, but as an adult, how they have changed and become more strongly aware of the darker and more dangerous aspects of the world and nature as they have matured
What are the themes present in this poem?
Nature
Time + passage of time
Love
Power of nature
Place
Describe the form of the prelude and its impact
- Written in the first person + focused on a specific memory
- Blank verse + mainly iambic pentameter
→ may show how natural nature is + doesn’t follow a set of rules - Makes it sound natural and unforced as if it is a personal and intimate conversation with the reader
- Steady rhythm creates the impression that memory is clear and certain
- Enjambment creates a spontaneity to memory and sense of joy
Describe the structure of the prelude and its impact
- Two main sections to the excerpt:
→ main focus on the memory of ice skating, which is recalled with vivid and exhilarating detail - Tone is carefree and one of wild abandonment
- Punctuated with caesuras and lists which convey the energetic excitement of children
@ line 16 there is a volta
→ changes to an older voice, which reflects on nature that as a child went ‘unnoticed’
→ introduces a more serious tone and mature understanding of the more threatening aspects of nature and the world - It is part of an ‘epic poem’ + divided up into chronological parts of his life
What is the effect of the long verse?
→ could reflect wordsworth’s breathlessness
→ reflects his passion for ice skating and nature
→ long verse could also reflect the shortness of breath you feel when you are cold
Describe the language of the poem and its impact
- Poet uses powerful words such as ‘wheel’d’ and ‘flew’ to create speed and movement of youthful energy that is present in the poem
- Animalistic imagery present throughout implying their wild and untamed nature of children
- Sibilance used to recreate the speed and pace of the ice-skating
What is the context behind the author?
- Early romantic poet
- Born in lake district
- Had a troubled relationship with his family: parents died when he was a teenager
- Split from his siblings when he went to stay with grandparents and uncles
- Nature was a form of escapism for him
Complete the quote
‘In the frosty season…
…when the sun was set’
Analyse the quote
‘In the frosty season, when the sun was set’
→ enjambment representative of time moving on from day to night
→ ‘was set’: turning point - something is coming, setting the scene
Complete the quote
‘time of rapture…
…clear and loud’
Analyse the quote
‘Time of rapture: clear and loud’
→ caesuras and breaks in rhythm for us to stop and appreciate - wants to pass down his feelings of nature
→ creates sense of breathlessness and excitement
→ reflects poets love for nature and ice skating
Complete the quote
‘Proud and exulting…
…like an untir’d horse’
Analyse the quote
‘Proud and exulting, like an untir’d horse’
→ zoomorphic imagery, he feels as if it is a part of nature
→ simile creates a sense of freedom and pride
→ wordsworth feels at home in nature
→ positive tone
Complete the quote
‘Pack loud bellowing…
… and the hunted hare’
