Extract from, The Prelude

Question 1

Form

Answer 1

Whereas, we know Wordsworth wrote the Prelude as an epic poem – which usually has one defined hero. Wordsworth purposefully makes the boy weak and feeble, so we are forced to personify nature as the hero in this story. Perhaps Wordsworth is suggesting that realizing the power of nature has enlightened him, linking to Wordsworth’s childhood in the Lake District where he embraced nature.

Question 2

Opening

Answer 2

This is in direct contrast to Wordsworth, who isn’t prepared for his battle and is lured in by nature. He personifies nature, claiming he was ‘’led by her’’ to the ‘’little boat’’ tied to a ‘’willow tree’’. Through this personification, Wordsworth almost blames nature for stealing the boat – and highlights the psychological power it has over him. However, later on in the poem we will see the consequences of trying to blame nature. This is foreshadowed by the ‘’willow tree’’ which is a symbol of sadness.

Question 3

Structure

Answer 3

Similarly, Wordsworth uses a 1, very long stanza to overwhelm the reader, mirror the experience of the boy. The enjambment shows an overpowering urge to communicate; perhaps he wants to spread the message about nature’s power. Alternatively, it shows how nature cannot be contained.

Question 4

Language

Answer 4

Similarly, the boy’s mind begins to fracture in Wordsworth’s poem as there ‘’hung a darkness’’ over him. Through ‘’hung’’ we see that his darkness lingers and is unavoidable. Alternatively, the verb ‘’hung’’ has more sinister connotations of suicide – as if the power of nature is so drastic that the boy feels there is no point in living anymore, he’s been driven to suicide. This is reinforced by ‘’darkness’’, implying we are unable to see the power of nature clearly, this will lead to death.

Question 5

Ending

Answer 5

Wordsworth shows that the living effect of nature is much worse than death as it became a ‘’trouble to his dreams’’. This juxtapositions connotes nightmares, we see that even in sleep he is unable to escape nature’s power. Alternatively, ‘’dreams’’ connotes life after death, perhaps even death will not allow him to escape this eternal power.