The Prelude:stealing The Boat- William Wordsworth Flashcards
Explain some context points of ‘The Prelude’
.William Wordsworth was s romantic poet as he wrote poems about the world we live in which challenged people and the way they thought at the time
.During this time ‘epic’ poems of large length were common, as were poems which looked at the world and man’s place within it. This extract is from a much larger poem, it looks at the spiritual and moral development of a man growing up
. This is an extract from the first 14 books that make up Wandsworth poem, the Prélude. The book is in titled introduction childhood and school time. Wandsworth was a romantic poet and like other romantic poetry this extract expose the connection between nature and human emotion and the way human identity and character is shaped by experience
Explain the themes in ‘The Prelude’
.The poem is quite hard to relate to conflict and power. However, there is a sense of conflict between nature and man where nature is eventually shown to be more powerful in the end
Explain the boat aspect of ‘The Prelude’
. During the poem the setting is of a journey in a boat. The journey represents a more spiritual journey and it becomes more rough and hostile along the way. At first, nature shown at peace with the poet, later as it gets darker when he tries to reach the horizon it becomes harsh and predatory, putting man back in its place
Explain structure in ‘The Prelude’
It’s written as part of a much larger piece. This section is 44 lines in blank verse with no real structure. The work is in iambic pentameter to give it a consistent pace. As the poem progresses the journey the poet is on becomes rough and words like and are repeated to give it a breathless pace and feel
. This extract is a first person narrative. It sounds personal and describes a turning point in the poets life. The use of blank verse makes it sound serious and important and the regular rhythm makes it sound like natural speech
. There are three main sections in the extract. In the first the tone is very light and carefree. There is a distinct change when the mountain appears the time becomes darker and more fearful. In the final section the narrator reflects on how the experience has changed him
Explain the mountain’s significance in ‘The Prelude’
The mountain is shown in the poem like a great angry entity represents the full might and power of nature. It seems to take offence at the poet getting too far or too lustily. You could imagine it like a game of chicken where the poet is rowing towards the mountain, the closer he gets the more menacing it appears before he backs away
Summarise the key points
.The poet symbolically uses the journey of the river to mirror the poets own spiritual journey of reflection
. The poet is structured to show the contrast of the serene and peaceful start where we works with nature, to the dark and disturbing battle with nature shown from when he tries to control his journey through rowing
. The conflict between man and nature is caused by man’s attempts to manipulate nature, nature still contains a power and Majesty beyond mankind’s ability to command
Explain some of the different types of language used in ‘The Prelude’
. Beautiful language – the poem begins with a series of pretty pastoral images of nature
.Confident language- The narrator appeared sure of him self at first almost arrogant in his view of himself and his place in the world. He gives the impression of feeling powerful
. Dramatic language – the initial glimpses of threatening language becomes more intense after the mountain appears. The narrator comes to understand how powerful nature is
. Fearful language-The narrator is for less confident at the end of the extract. He is troubled by the huge mighty forms of nature he’s glimpsed. The experience has a lasting haunting effect on him
What are the feelings and attitudes of the poem?
.Confidence- the narrator feels comfortable and is in control to start with, but his confidence in himself and the world around him is shaken by this one event
.Fear- Nature is shown to be more powerful than a human being. The narrator is left with a feeling of awe and respect for nature, but he’s also scared of it
.Reflection- The poem ends with the narrator reflecting on how he’s been changed by the event. His thoughts and dreams are still troubled by what he’s experienced
“A little boat tied to a willow tree”
The boat could be seen as a metaphor of man’s influence. Still anchored to the tree(nature), the influence of man is constantly subdued by the far superior power of nature
“Act of stealth” “troubled pleasure”
.Hints at the narrators guilt as he knows he’s doing something wrong. The oxymoron “troubled pleasure” supports this
“Glittering idly in the moon”
Wordsworth creates an idyllic and peaceful scene where language is semantically peaceful
“Proud of his skill” “With an unswerving line”
Again the narrator seems confident maybe a bit arrogant. This contrasts with the later mood in the poem
“Craggy ridge” “the horizon’s upmost boundary”
The mood changed with the craggy ridge and horizons boundry represents nature limiting the progress of the poet
“When” “The horizon is bound, a huge peak, black and huge”
“Black and huge”marks the shift in tone, the language becomes darker and dangerous. The peak, mountain, is personified “with purpose of its own”, nature is shown as aggressive. The mountain has been shown during the poem as a grey, angry entity and represents the full might and power of nature. It appears to take offence at the poet approaching too far or too “lustily”. As the post approaches the mountain, it is almost as though it appears more menacing, leading the poet to rapidly back away
“When” is volta (turning point) as it introduces a complete change in tone. The simple word is emphasised by being at the start of the line and by the caesura
“With trembling oars”
Connotes the fear and vulnerability of the poet, shown like a wounded animal hiding away
