Power And Conflict Poetry - The Prelude

Question 1

Who wrote the Prelude?

Answer 1

William Wordsworth

Question 2

What is the big idea?

Answer 2

Nature is beautiful and inspiring and but it is also immense and powerful and has the ability to destroy us. Respect the beauty and power of nature.

Question 3

What is the structure?

Answer 3

Blank verse - 44 - no real structure revealing chaos and an unpredictable side to nature
Iambic pentameter- consistent pace - power of nature over man

Question 4

A little boat

Answer 4

Metaphor for man’s influence

Question 5

I unloosed her chain, and stepping in
Pushed from the shore.

Answer 5

Personification - boat is an extension of man’s power
Caesura
Enjambment
Metaphorical journey of mankind

Question 6

Glittering idly

Answer 6

Euphony - idyllic and peaceful language to describe beauty of nature

Question 7

Elfin pinnace

Answer 7

Metaphor - fairy boat
Mood change to heated and charged

Question 8

my boat
Went heaving through the water like a swan

Answer 8

Simile - anything man does intimidates nature

Question 9

a huge peak, black and huge

Answer 9

Personification - powerful and intimidating image of a mountain - aggressive

Question 10

With trembling oars

Answer 10

Personification - vulnerability, like he’s a wounded animal, fearful and hiding, the mountain is hunting him

Question 11

Covert
Bark
Meadows

Answer 11

Semantic field - peaceful refugee juxtaposes the grave and serious mood

Question 12

There hung a darkness

Answer 12

Metaphor - mood is morbid and melancholy
He is reflecting on the conflict in his mind contrasting peaceful and harshness of nature
Cacophony