The Prelude Flashcards
STRUCTURE
The use of constant polysyndetic listing:
Causes the readers to become breathless which represents his overwhelming fear, this is further emphasised by the sibilance “struck and struck again” which gives a sinister and violent tone, this suggests how disturbed and threatened he is by nature’s power that he presents it as a threatening force.
Throughout the poem, there is also an increase in enjambment to symbolise the flow of the boat rowing through the water.
Pathetic fallacy - at the beginning of the poem “one summer evening” sets a romantic and intimate mood for the poem.
CONTEXT
William Wordsworth was a romantic poet and his poem was influenced by the theme of nature and against the industrial revolution and wanted people to realise the beauty of nature.
His parents died at a young age and his family abused him so he spent lots of time at the Lake district in attempt to seek solace.
This poem is an autobiography and explores his childhood.
Semantic field of beauty and perfection throughout the poem
“Sparkling light” “glittering idly in the moon” “lustily”
Reflects how beautiful nature is and Wordsworth childhood view that nature was magical to him.
The light imagery is symbolic of positivity, and this almost feels romantic as if he is on a date with nature itself, this reflects Wordsworth romantic ideologies towards nature, the ideas that he is “led by her”, alludes to the idea of nature inviting him to see its beauty.
THEN, there is a volta- the poem changes from light, intimate imagery to darkness
“darkness” “blank desertion” “trouble to my dreams”
This symbolises Wordsworth realisation of his own morality as he feel this insignificance in comparison to the “huge peak” of the mountains.
Here he realises that nature should be treated with respect as we are powerless, he is overwhelmed by the idea that nature can be immoral and powerful.
The idea that he is overwhelmed by this is reinforced when it is a “trouble to his dreams”, he cannot stop thinking about it and he is even powerless in his own mind as nature has corrupted his brain, even disrupting something that is supposed to be peaceful and person like sleeping.
“Like one who rows proud of his skill”
“Like one who rows proud of his skill” - simile
Presents Wordsworth as arrogant as it appears that he thinks he can control nature itself by human means. After the Volta, his thoughts shift to despair as he feels deserted by something that he once loved. The colour and positive imagery has gone and his intimate bond has broken.
“Troubled pleasure”
“Troubled pleasure” - oxymoron
Suggests how he knew he shouldn’t be rowing at night and disrupting the peace, he receives karma for stealing the boat to satisfy his desires. It presents nature as having a dark side and it almost turns against Wordsworth and he is horrified to see this as he is obsessed and entranced by its beauty.
It creates the idea that nature is taking revenge for being taken advantage of and not being treated with proper respect, it is to be admired and not enjoyed for personal pleasure.
