Extract from, The Prelude

Question 1

Extract from, The Prelude context (William Wordsworth)

Answer 1

• Born in lake district, had a love of nature
• the prelude is a very long autobiographical poem (first subtitled ‘the growth of the poets mind’ we can see this in the poem)
• He believed nature had a moral influence on him - which made him a better man
• Panthiest worships nature
• Poet feels guilty at stealing boat - language of secrecy throughout. His lesson in morality comes from nature,mountain sees him and judges him

Question 2

Extract from the Prelude MUST mention

Answer 2

• The poem symbolically uses the journey on the river to mirror the poets own spiritual journey of reflection
• The poet is structured to show the contrast of the serene and peaceful start where we works with nature, to the dark and disturbing battle with nature shown from when he tries to control his journey through rowing.
• The conflict between man and nature is caused by mans attempt to manipulate nature, nature still contains a power and majesty beyond mankind’s ability to command.

Question 3

Extract from the Prelude Structure

Answer 3

• Written as part of a much larger piece. This section is 44 lines in blank verse (no real structure). The work is in iambic pentameter to give it a consistent pace
• As the poem progresses the journey the poet is on becomes rougher and words like ‘and’ are repeated to give it a breathless pace and feel