The Prelude Flashcards
Introduction
Wordsworth uses his autobiographical poem ‘The Prelude’ as a vehicle to herald the immense power and beauty of the natural world, which transcends all human constructs and understanding. Reflecting on the feeling of awe and wonder he experienced as a child at play in nature, Wordsworth strives to inspire his readers to revert back to a more pure and childlike appreciation of the natural world. This may have felt particularly important to Wordsworth, given that the rise of the Industrial Revolution meant many people were becoming alienated from the natural world as they moved to towns and cities to work. Thus, the poem serves as a reminder of the complex and organic relationship between man and nature, which Wordsworth strongly felt had its own knowledge to offer humanity.
Cottage
Poem begins with a reminiscent tone, as Wordsworth relays his childhood memories of playing outside in the Lake District. He creates a sense Coziness, warmth and welcome through the reference to ‘cottage’ but he also makes is clear natural world is far more alluring and exciting than this domestic setting
I headed not the summons
Suggestive of a personal revolt against the perceived tyranny of the domestic sphere, with feelings of triumph resulting from the ability to resist the strong felt ‘summons’ and reject a mundane life of restriction indoors
Rapture
His heightened appreciation of the natural world is evident when he compares the happiness of his friends at play to his own experience of ‘rapture’ evoking his feelings of intense joy and euphoria - an intensity which suggests he feels connected to nature on a spiritual level
Structure
Elevates status of nature through his use of the epic form, which traditionally deals with the extraordinary and superhuman. By using the epic form, Wordsworth emphasis that nature is worthy of celebration and awe, in spite of the fact it is often ignored and under appreciated.
Wheel’d
Intensity if the experience is conveyed through the use of the verb ‘wheel’d’ to convey the pace and physical exuberance of their games
‘Like an untir’d horse’
Similie highlights feelings of liberation and independence, echoing earlier pride in resulting ‘summons’ of domesticity
Hiss’d
Through his use of sibilants, Wordsworth immersive ly recreates the sound of the blades on the ice, bringing to life the vivid and joyous image of the children at play in the mins of the reader.
Also demonstrates how Easily Wordsworth was able to recall this memory, emphasising the formative impact his powerful affinity with the natural world has had in him.
The immediacy and intensity of his childhood experience reflect the romantic ideal of childhood as a sate of innocence and closeness to nature, with the speaker and his friends blissfully revelling in the delights of nature, oblivious to the risks of ice skating on a frozen lake or to the repeated reference to the passing of time in the poem, which foreshadows the inevitable end of their childhoods.
‘Tinkled’ ‘alien sound of melancholy’
The one becomes increasingly serious towards the end of the poem, marking Wordsworth’s gradual change from childhood to adulthood.
The natural world is presented as less benevolent and passive at this point in the poem with the Sue of auditory language changing from the gentle, childish and unthreatening sound ‘tinkled’ to the more ominous sounding ‘alien sounds of melancholy’, which is perhaps symbolic of how growing awareness of the extreme natural forced of life and death, and the overwhelming power of nature.
‘Sent’
Through the personification of nature which ‘sent’ this sound, Wordsworth emphasis that nature us not a passive canvas on which humans act, but an active and aware force, with wisdom to offer humanity.
‘Orange sky of evening died away’
Perhaps symbolic of the fading of irresponsible childish joy and the inevitable transition from childhood to adulthood. However, Wordsworth Is comforted by the knowledge the sun will rise again, depicting nature as a complex and immortal force with superiority over humanity. As such he implores his readers to acknowledge and celebrate the beauty and knowledge nature has to offer humans throughout their lives, rather than becoming disconnected from nature in adulthood.
