The Prelude Flashcards
Summary of poem the prelude
Nature is inspiring and beautiful. But it is also immense and powerful and has the ability to destroy us. We should respect the power of nature
Who wrote the prelude and when
William Wordsworth in 1798
Key quotes of the prelude
‘One summer evening (led my her ) ‘
‘small circles glittering idly in the moon
“a huge peak, black and huge…upreared its head “
“huge and mighty forms, that do not live like living men, move slowly through by day, and were a trouble to my dreams “
Analyse “small circles glittering idly in the moon “
-The phrase “small circles glittering idly in the moon” evokes a clear, almost magical image of light reflected off water or some small, glimmering objects under the moonlight. The use of the word “glittering” suggests a kind of fleeting beauty, which is intensified by the contrast of moonlight, typically associated with serenity and stillness. This creates a sense of tranquil beauty, as the small circles shimmer under the moon’s glow
-The adjective “small” further emphasizes the delicacy and insignificance of the objects being described, contributing to a sense of vulnerability and impermanence. The imagery suggests something transient and fragile
- “idly” could also suggest a sense of detachment or distance from human affairs, implying that the beauty of nature exists independently of human intervention or understanding.
-“idly” highlights the contrast between the urgency of human life and the peaceful, almost languorous existence of nature. It suggests that in nature, things can simply exist without the pressure of action or expectation, which is a key theme in Romanticism.
- The line “Small circles glittering idly in the moon” captures the essence of the Romantic view that nature is a source of inspiration, comfort, and spiritual growth. For Wordsworth, nature is a teacher, a mirror of the self, and a refuge from the alienation caused by industrialization and societal change. Wordsworth reminds his readers of the profound beauty of the natural world, urging them to reconnect with nature as a means of personal and moral regeneration.
Analyse “one summer evening (led by her )”
-her can be considered to be Mother Nature as a female, In this personified form, nature becomes an active, guiding force in the poet’s life, providing direction and purpose.
-Nature could be personified as a nurturing maternal figure, The absence of a definitive identity for “her” opens up the possibility of different interpretations, inviting the reader to see nature as a universal, genderless force capable of guiding all individuals.
-Mother Nature in this instance is portrayed as an entity that provides direction to the poet, leading him not only through the physical world but also through his emotional and intellectual experiences. In Romantic literature, nature is often seen as a source of moral and spiritual guidance, helping the individual navigate the complexities of life.
-In many ways, Mother Nature is symbolic of the cycle of life, death, and rebirth. This alignment with the seasons and cycles of nature is important, as it reflects the idea that nature is a force of perpetual renewal—just as a mother nurtures new life, nature continually nurtures and sustains the poet’s emotions
Analyse “a huge peak, black and huge…upreared its head “
-The use of “black” suggests mystery and danger, evoking feelings of dread and awe. The mountain, in this context, becomes a symbol of nature’s power and its ability to inspire both reverence and fear.
-The adjective “huge” works to elevate the mountain beyond the ordinary, positioning it as a monumental force in the natural landscape. It is not merely large but “huge”a descriptor that evokes a sense of both grandeur and threatening enormity. In this way, Wordsworth uses repetition to heighten the emotional intensity of the experience.
-By attributing the human action of “rearing its head” to a mountain, Wordsworth transforms nature into a living, breathing entity. The use of the verb “upreared” suggests an active force, giving the mountain agency and intention. It also suggests a confrontation between the poet and the natural world, as though the mountain is challenging or confronting him directly. This evokes the concept of the Sublime, where nature appears as an awesome and even threatening force that transcends human understanding and control.
Analyse quote “huge and mighty forms, that do not live like living men, move slowly through by day, and were a trouble to my dreams “
-This image is contrasted with the idea of human life—“living men”—which suggests that, although these forms are alive in some metaphysical or symbolic sense, they are not bound by the natural rhythms of life. They seem to exist outside of the human world, moving slowly through the day, an existence that is both unsettling and unnatural. The juxtaposition between “living men” and the mysterious, detached “forms” contributes to the sense of nature being not just alive but inhuman, indifferent to human life, and far beyond ordinary understanding.
-It’s as though the forms are not entirely of the earthly realm, but rather belong to another dimension, existing outside the typical flow of time and space. The slow movement of these forms may imply that nature is a slow, inevitable force—one that progresses according to its own will, indifferent to human concerns or desires.
-The forms’ slow movement through the day seem to pervade the poet’s waking consciousness, but their effect is even more pronounced in his dreams. This suggests that the forms, and by extension, nature itself, are intrusive and unsettling in both his waking and subconscious states. The use of the word “trouble” conveys a sense of distress and disturbance, as if these forms are a burden to the poet’s peace of mind.
Context of the prelude
-The Romantics, including Wordsworth, were deeply critical of the mechanisation of society and the growing detachment of individuals from nature and their own emotional experiences. Romanticism emphasized the importance of imagination, individualism, and the subjective experience of the world, placing nature at the center of artistic and philosophical exploration.
-based on wordsworths childhood which brings a tone of realism to the piece
-romantic poet which meant he was in favour of resisting growing industrialism
by remembering a simpler, natural past
-The Industrial Revolution had a profound impact on Wordsworth’s view of nature and humanity. As factories and machines began to dominate the landscape, Wordsworth became increasingly concerned about the negative consequences of industrialization on human life and the natural world. In The Prelude, Wordsworth laments the loss of a more harmonious, simpler existence, where people lived in closer connection with nature and each other.
-Wordsworth’s reflections on his early experiences with nature in The Prelude reflect a belief in the formative power of childhood. He believed that the innocence and purity of childhood were crucial to developing a deeper understanding of the world and the self.
Structure and form of the prelude
-written in blank verse as it helped him achieve a tone of earnestness and introspection. It also serves to elevate the conversational nature of the poem, making it sound both personal and profound at the same time. The poet’s deep connection with nature and his own inner world is expressed through this elevated form of speech, which matches the serious, philosophical content of the poem.
-The speaker is not recounting events for the sake of telling a story; instead, he is revisiting the past to understand its significance in shaping his present self. The tone of the poem is contemplative, as the speaker engages in a process of self-discovery and moral reflection. Wordsworth uses the structure of The Prelude to explore his thoughts and feelings in a way that feels spontaneous and organic.
