The Prelude (William Wordsworth) Flashcards
Where did Wordsworth’s love for nature come from?
He grew up in the Lake district, an area of outstanding natural beauty. He frequently spent time in nature as a result of his troubled upbringing (including the death of his sister and troubled relationship with his father.) He loved the beauty and tranquility of nature and believed it had a moral influence on him.
What are the themes of the poem?
Nature - the boy sees a ‘black and huge’ peak which plays on his mind for days after the encounter. He also, however, experiences the thrill yet also tranquility as he rows the boat across the lake and sees the light sparkle on the water. Wordsworth believed nature was beautiful but also has the power to make us question our morality
Temptation - the boy steals the boat even though he knows he shouldn’t. However it has its consequences as he is haunted by the image days after.
How is nature presented?
At first, we are introduced to the summer’s day and idyllic setting. The light ‘melts’ into the water and creates a calm, tranquil atmosphere as the boy rows into the water. However, the language becomes jumbled once the boy has seen the peak. The repetition of the word ‘huge’ suggests he is incapable of describing its true size, that its overwhelming stature is what he fears most. At the end, the boy can no longer enjoy previous scenes of nature, as it has retracted its gifts in his mind since he saw the peak.
How does Wordsworth use language/devices in the poem?
The two contrasting ideas of nature juxtapose one another. The beginning creates a positive semantic field with words such as glittering, pleasure and lustily. However, the semantic field shifts and words like black, solitude and grim are used. The change in language reflects the change in mindset of the speaker.
How is the poem structured?
It is written in blank verse (no rhyme or rhythm) to emphasise its story telling nature. The frequent use of iambic pentameter creates a colloquial, conversational tone to reflect natural speaking tones.
What literary techniques are used?
Oxymoron - ‘troubled pleasure’ emphasises the two sides of the boy’s mind, how he feels trepidation as he knows he shouldn’t steal the boat but will enjoy it.
Simile - ‘heaving through the water like a swan’ the noun swan conveys the ease at which he moves and the majestic nature of his movements.
Assonance (repeated vowel sounds) reflects the peaceful nature and how soothing the journey is through the water.
Sibilance - Creates a harsh hissing sound to contrast the previous assonance and invokes a sense of fear.
Personification of the peak - ‘upreared its head’ the personification makes the peak seem far more threatening.
