The Prelude Flashcards
Form
This extract is a first-person narrative. It sounds personal and describes a turning point in the poet’s life. The use of blank verse (unrhymed verse in iambic pentameter) makes it sound serious and important, and the regular rhythm makes it sound like natural speech.
Structure
There are three main sections in the extract. In the first, the tone is fairly light and
carefree. There’s a distinct change when the mountain appears - the tone becomes darker and more fearful. In the final section, the narrator reflects on how the experience has changed him.
Beautiful language
The poem begins with a series of pretty, pastoral images of nature.
“ a little boat tied to a willow tree”
“She was in a Efin pinnace” - metaphor of a ‘fairy boat’ makes the scene seem magical and other worldly , but still not threatening
Juxtaposes later on with “ no pleasant images of trees” - narrator no longer thinks of nature as pretty he’s learnt there’s more to that
Confident language
The narrator appears sure of himself at first - almost arrogant in
his view of himself and his place in the world. He gives the impression of feeling powerful.
“Proud of his skill” - confident maybe even a bit arrogant , contrasts the mood later on
“Like a swan” - the natural simile shows that he’s confident and in control enchantes the contrast on the next line
Dramatic language
The initial glimpses of threatening language become more intense
after the mountain appears. The narrator comes to understand how powerful nature is.
“Upreared of its head” - the mountain is personified contrasts to the earlier beauty in a “swan”
“Strode after me “ - the mountain is calm and powerful and in control contrasts with the narrators feelings
Fearful language
The narrator is far less confident at the end of the extract. He’s troubled by the
“huge and mighty forms” of nature he’s glimpsed. The experience has a lasting, haunting effect on him.
“I struck and struck again … stature shape starts still” mountain gets bigger almost in a nightmare and repition of sibilant sounds create sinister mood
“Trouble to my dreams” - unsettling image helps us empathise him huge contrast to the tine and mood at start
Context
This is an extract from the first of fourteen books that make up Wordsworths poem, ‘The Prelude. The book is entitled Introduction - Childhood and School-Time. Wordsworth was a ‘Romantic poet (see p.2). Like other
‘Romantic’ poetry, this extract explores the connection between nature and human emotion, and the way human identity and character is shaped by experience.
