Excerpt From The Prelude by William Wordsworth

Question 1

What does Wordsworth use the Prelude as a vehicle to?

Answer 1

To express his personal awe and amazement at the power of the natural world. Perhaps through his poem he hopes to inspire his readers to revert to a pure and childlike appreciation of the natural world, especially given the rise of the industrial resolution

Question 2

Initially point

Answer 2

He adopts a reminiscent tone to expose that he found the natural world far more alluring to him as a child to domesticity

Question 3

Initially… (quote 1)

Answer 3

“Through the cottage windows twilight blazed’”

- this is a piece of imagery that shows the power of the natural world and how it dominantes the man made world

Question 4

Initially… (quote 2)

Answer 4

“I heeded not the summons”

-This is a personal revolt against the perceived tyranny of domesticity resulting in feelings of triumph in resisting the strongly felt “summons”

Question 5

As the poem develops point

Answer 5

Wordsworth elevate the status of nature through the use of the epic form, suggesting that it is worthy of celebration, in spite of the fact that it is often under appreciated

Question 6

As the poem develops… (quote 1)

Answer 6

“Like an untir’d horse”

• This similise highlights the sense of freedom and independence that the natural world brought about.
• The image of the horse may be representative of the free spirit of nature, a key aspect of Romanticism

Question 7

As the text develops… (quote 2)

Answer 7

“We hissed along the polished ice”

• the sibilance immerses the reader by recreates the sound of the blades on the ice.
• Wordsworth’s ability to easily remember childhood experiences shows that they were exciting, happy and energetic times. This also emphasises his relish for the outdoors as a child which emphasises the state of childhood innocence and closeness to nature

Question 8

Ultimately point

Answer 8

Nature is shown as a complex force which transcends the forces of time

Question 9

Ultimately… (quote 1)

Answer 9

“The precipices rang aloud”

• Wordsworth personifies nature by suggesting that it experienced the same joy that he did as a child
• However it also possessed the knowledge that their happiness would inevitably draw to an end

Question 10

Ultimately… (quote 2)

Answer 10

“Every crag tinkled iron”

• This shows how nature is far from a passive canvas for humans to act upon, and is instead undeniably strong and delicate at the same time, as shown through the juxtaposition of tinkle and iron.
• ultimately, Wordsworth is emphasising the power of nature