The prelude(Extract) Flashcards
Plot summary
In an extract from William Wordsworth’s autobiographical poem The Prelude, the poet recounts a childhood experience where he takes a boat out on a lake on a summer evening. Initially, he feels a sense of freedom and wonder as he rows across the water, surrounded by the serene beauty of nature. However, his mood shifts when a massive, looming mountain peak suddenly appears, filling him with fear and awe. Overwhelmed by the mountain’s imposing presence, he turns the boat around and returns to shore. This encounter leaves a lasting impact, haunting his dreams and altering his perception of nature, as he comes to understand its immense, untameable power and his own insignificance within the universe.
Context:
Romanticism: Wordsworth was a leading figure in the Romantic movement, which reacted against the Industrial Revolution and the Enlightenment’s focus on reason and science. Romantics celebrated nature, imagination, and personal experience, often exploring the profound impact of the natural world on human emotions and spirituality.
Autobiographical Elements: “The Prelude” is an autobiographical poem, reflecting Wordsworth’s own life and experiences. The extract often studied describes a pivotal moment from his childhood, highlighting how personal experiences shape one’s understanding of the world.
Nature and the Sublime: The poem explores the concept of the sublime, which refers to the awe-inspiring and sometimes terrifying power of nature. The encounter with the mountain peak exemplifies this, as it evokes both fear and reverence, illustrating nature’s ability to overwhelm human senses and understanding.
Structure and Form
Structure:
Three-Part Structure:
Introduction
Turning Point
Reflection
Dramatic Monologue:
The poem is written in the form of a dramatic monologue, where an imagined speaker addresses a silent audience. This form allows Wordsworth to reveal his inner thoughts and feelings, providing a personal and introspective narrative.
Form:
Blank Verse:
The poem is written in blank verse, which is unrhymed iambic pentameter. This form gives the poem a natural, speech-like rhythm, making it sound more like a personal recollection or conversation.
Rhythm Breaks:
Wordsworth occasionally breaks the iambic pentameter, particularly at moments of heightened emotion or significance. For example, the line “A huge peak, black and huge” breaks the regular rhythm, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the experience.
Language
Positive natural Imagery: At the beginning of the poem, Wordsworth uses vivid, positive imagery to describe the serene and enchanting beauty of nature. For example, “Small circles glittering idly in the moon” creates a picturesque and tranquil scene.
Dark Imagery: As the poem progresses, the imagery becomes darker and more foreboding, particularly with the description of the mountain: “A huge peak, black and huge.” This shift in imagery reflects the changing mood and the overwhelming power of nature.
Violent Language:
The introduction of violent language, such as “struck,” signifies the intensity of Wordsworth’s fear and the dramatic shift in his perception of nature. This language marks a turning point in the poem, where nature changes from being benevolent to something more formidable and frightening.
“No pleasant images of trees, / Of sea or sky, no colours of green fields”
The loss of these comforting images reflects the speaker’s altered perception of nature. The repetition of “no” emphasizes the absence of familiarity and safety.
“Troubled pleasure”
This oxymoron captures the speaker’s mixed emotions—enjoyment tinged with guilt. The contrasting words reflect the internal conflict between his desire to enjoy nature and his awareness of wrongdoing (stealing the boat).
“Small circles glittering idly in the moon”
repetition of L sound makes the poem sound like the boat is floating across the Water.
The natural imagery of “glittering” and “idly” creates a serene, picturesque scene, emphasizing the beauty and tranquility of nature. The use of “small circles” suggests a sense of calm and order.
“A huge peak, black and huge”
The repetition of “huge” emphasizes the mountain’s overwhelming size and power. The adjective “black” conveys a sense of foreboding and menace, symbolizing nature’s darker, more intimidating side.The break in iambic pentameter here mirrors the speaker’s shock and the overwhelming nature of the experience. The irregular rhythm reflects the disruption of his initial calm.This part of the poem is the Volta.
“I struck and struck again”
The sibilance of s in “struck” conveys the speaker’s panic and desperation as he tries to row away from the mountain. The violent language reflects his fear and the intensity of his reaction to nature’s power.
“like a swan”
This simile comparing the poets boating skills to a swan shows how he is arrogantly comparing himself with nature, oblivious to natures true power.
“And were a trouble to my dreams”
The vague language reflects the lasting psychological impact of the experience. The word “trouble” suggests that the memory lingers, haunting the speaker and altering his perception of nature. This line concludes the poem, leaving the reader with a sense of unease. The lack of resolution emphasizes the profound and lasting impact of the event.
“There hung a darkness”
The dark imagery of “hung” suggests that the memory of the mountain lingers, unable to be shaken off. The word “darkness” conveys a sense of foreboding and psychological weight.
“With purpose of its own / And measured motion like a living thing”
The personification of the mountain as having “purpose” and “motion” makes it seem alive and menacing. This reinforces the idea of nature as a powerful, almost sentient force. The enjambment between lines creates a sense of continuity, mirroring the mountain’s relentless presence.
“The horizon’s utmost boundary”
This emptiness contrasts with line 22 when he looks at the horizon again, making the sudden appearance of the mountain more shocking.
Comparisons
“Storm on the Island” by Seamus Heaney
Theme: Power of Nature
Comparison: Both poems explore the overwhelming power of nature. In The Prelude, the mountain represents nature’s awe-inspiring and intimidating force, while in Storm on the Island, the storm symbolizes nature’s destructive power. Both poems highlight human vulnerability in the face of nature’s might.
Contrast: The Prelude focuses on a personal, transformative experience, while Storm on the Island reflects on collective human resilience and fear.
“Exposure” by Wilfred Owen
Theme: Human Vulnerability
Comparison: Both poems depict humans confronting forces beyond their control—nature in The Prelude and war in Exposure. The speakers in both poems experience fear and a sense of insignificance.
Contrast: The Prelude ends with a lingering sense of awe and reflection, while Exposure conveys despair and the futility of war.
“Ozymandias” by Percy Bysshe Shelley
Theme: Transience of Power
Comparison: Both poems explore the idea of human power being dwarfed by greater forces—nature in The Prelude and time in Ozymandias. The mountain and the ruined statue both symbolize the limits of human ambition.
Contrast: The Prelude is more personal and reflective, while Ozymandias is a broader commentary on the futility of human achievements.
“Remains” by Simon Armitage
Theme: Psychological Impact of Experiences
Comparison: Both poems explore the lasting psychological effects of significant experiences. In The Prelude, the mountain haunts the speaker’s dreams, while in Remains, the soldier is traumatized by his actions in war.
Contrast: The Prelude focuses on nature’s impact, while Remains deals with the trauma of violence and guilt.
