Lines Written in Early Spring

Question 1

”What man has made of man”

Answer 1

Indicates humanity does not have the same harmony as nature. Society has departed from their inner worlds & connection with nature. This is the criticism of the poem - we are destroying ourselves willingly but almost without noticing. This monosyllabic phrase carries a quiet tone of devastation. Mankind is presented as corrupt & alienated from natures peace.

Question 2

‘The birds around me hopped and played’

…‘Their thoughts I cannot measure’

Answer 2

There is a freedom and childishness here; the dynamic verbs “hopped” and “played” creates a sense of spontaneity (acting naturally), reinforcing the idea that nature acts instinctively and joyfully, it suggests nature and animals are carefree and that humanities worries are self-inflicted. Wordsworth considers a disconnection between humans and animals as the speaker is unable to communicate with them. Nature has the ability to find joy in the simplicity of life