The Prelude Flashcards
Romanticism
Romanticism was a reaction to The Enlightenment which believed in reason and the scientific method (think of the apple falling of Newton’s head to prove gravity as an example).
• Intellectuals and creatives across Europe (poets, artists, writers and thinkers)
and that
to understanding yourself and the world.
• The Romantics but they all had a rebellious spirit, and, in a society which was strictly arranged by class, status and wealth, believed that everyday people were important.
What is it about
On a summer evening the narrator ( Wordsworth as a boy) finds a boat tied to a tree. He takes it out onto a lake.
• Initially the narrator seems happy and confident, as he describes a beautiful scene. Then, a mountain appears on the horizon, whose size and power frighten the narrator.
• He turns the boat around to go home, but his view of nature has changed irreparably and the image haunts him and his dreams for a long time.
• Deeper level meaning: humanity should respect nature and its power and not take it for granted.
One summer evening (led by her) I found
A little boat tied to a willow tree
Within a rocky cove, its usual home.
-We are unclear who ‘her’ is. An earlier part of the poem suggests it is nature
personified.
-pastoral scene. Repetition of ‘l’ sounds helps the poem to flow, just like the boat Location seems familiar to the narrator moving on the water. Structure: enjambment gives effect of easy flow of memories.
Location seems familiar to the narrator.
Until they melted all into one track
Of sparkling light. But now, like one who rows, Proud of his skill, to reach a chosen point With an unswerving line,
-Language Consonance of “l” creates a continuous feeling
of movement.
- The narrator seems confident/arrogant. This contrasts with the
tone later in the poem.
The horizon’s utmost boundary; far above Was nothing but the stars and the grey sky. She was elfin pinnace; lustily
I dipped my oars into the silent lake,
And as I rose upon the stroke, my boat
Went heaving through the water like a swan
- metaphor for a fairy boat.
This creates the effect of a magical scene, Otherworldly, yet not threatening (yet).
This emptiness contrasts with line 22, when he looks at the horizon again.
This makes the appearance of the mountain appear more shocking.
This emptiness contrasts with line 22, when he looks at the horizon again.
This makes the appearance of the mountain appear more shocking.
Tone
Confident and carefree: The narrator feels happy and in control at the beginning, though his confidence is shaken by this event
• Fearful: Nature is shown to be more powerful than human beings. The narrator is left with a feeling of awe and respect for nature – a sublime experience. This spiritual emotion is called feeling ‘numinous’
• Reflective: The narrative feeling contemplative and thoughtful by the end of the poem
