The Prelude Flashcards
“Led by her”
Here nature is personified conveying how the speaker has a peaceful view of nature and shows a sign of respect.
“Straight I unloosed her chain”
We see that the boat is also personified and the verb “unloosed” makes the speaker heroic. We also see a sense of urgency and determination to get somone where quickly.
“It was an act of stealth”
We see that this is secretive and he recognises his wrong doing and immoral act.
Could also portray human kinds ignorance.
“Small circles glittering”
We see that nature is beautiful and mesmerising so we get a sense of purity and innocence”
Proud of his skill
He’s presented as arrogant and over confident
“The horizons utmost boundary”
The speaker believes he knows everything and perhaps this could connate that man has seen everything.
“Elflin pinnace”
Nature is portrayed as majestically and peace full like a “swan”
“Huge peak black and huge”
Use of repition of huge connotes how insignificant man is towards nature. We also get a sense of juxtaposition towards how nature can be nice and Elegant whistle terrifying and frightening
“Upreared its head.”
The use of the determinator “it’s” shows how petrified the speaker is and how he’s unable to comprehend the size and power difference.
“Head.I..”
The use of the caesura shows how he’s no longer confident and arrogant but has come to the realisation that his attempts were futile.
“Towered up between me and the stars”
We see difference in power how nature is overpowering man
“Strode after me”
We see nature is personified as something that is dangerous and terrifying if taken lightly.
“With trembling oars”
We see a sense of fear and terror, we see that he was illusioned by his confident and now is returning home with his sprit broken.
“For many days.. dim and undetermined”
We see that the effects of nature is long lasting and thus this is something he will not forget. So we see that the power of nature is something to trifle with.
“Call it solitude”
We see a sense of lack of confidence and how the pure overflowing power of nature has made him lack that confidence he had before.
