Comparisons Flashcards
(5 cards)
How can London and the Prelude be compared?
Government and establishments hold power.
Nature holds power.
Shows individuals are powerless.
Suffering comes from everywhere.
Suffering comes realizing ones own insignificance in front of nature.
Collective experience of pain.
Individual experience.
Each speaker guides the reader through their thoughts, helping us understand the emotional impact of what they describe.
Tissue and London?
. Theme of Suffering
London shows the emotional and societal suffering of the people under oppressive systems.
“Marks of weakness, marks of woe” – visual imagery of constant suffering.
Exposure presents the physical and mental suffering of soldiers in war — especially from the cold.
“Our brains ache, in the merciless iced east winds that knive us…” – personification of nature as a weapon.
🟰 Similarity: Both poems focus on relentless suffering, caused by forces beyond the individual’s control.
✅ 2. Powerlessness and Helplessness
In London, people are trapped by societal structures.
“Mind-forged manacles” – metaphor for psychological and social imprisonment.
In Exposure, soldiers are trapped by nature and war, unable to act.
“But nothing happens” – refrain showing hopelessness and lack of agency.
🟰 Similarity: Both poems portray a lack of control — society in London, nature and war in Exposure.
✅ 3. Critique of Power / Institutions
London directly blames government, Church, and monarchy.
“Runs in blood down palace walls” – suggests rulers are responsible for suffering.
Exposure implicitly criticises those who start wars and the pointlessness of the conflict.
“What are we doing here?” – rhetorical question challenges the purpose of war.
🟰 Similarity: Both poets express anger or frustration with those in power who allow suffering to continue.
✅ 4. Tone of Misery and Despair
London: Bitter, bleak, angry.
Exposure: Hopeless, resigned, emotionally numb.
🟰 Similarity: Both use a tone that evokes sympathy and anger — making the reader reflect on human suffering.
Prelude and London
✅ 1. Power and Control
London: Power is man-made and oppressive — monarchy, Church, government.
“Mind-forged manacles” – people are mentally imprisoned by society.
The Prelude: Power is natural and overwhelming — nature humbles the speaker.
“Huge peak, black and huge” – repetition and enjambment create awe and fear.
🟰 Similarity: Both show the individual as powerless, but in London it’s society; in Prelude it’s nature.
✅ 2. Emotional Impact of External Forces
London: The speaker feels anger, frustration, despair at the suffering he sees.
“Marks of weakness, marks of woe” – everyone is visibly affected.
Prelude: The speaker feels awe, fear, and reflection after confronting the power of nature.
“With trembling oars I turned” – physical reaction showing fear.
🟰 Similarity: Both poems explore how external forces shape human emotions.
✅ 3. Critique of Power / Human Arrogance
London attacks corrupt institutions:
“Runs in blood down palace walls” – monarchy is blamed for violence.
Prelude critiques human arrogance in thinking we can control nature.
Nature teaches the speaker a lesson in humility.
🟰 Similarity: Both question the legitimacy or morality of human power.
✅ 4. Tone Shift and Journey
Prelude: Moves from confidence → fear → reflection.
London: Maintains a consistent tone of anger and despair.
🟰 Difference: Prelude shows personal growth, while London is a social critique without resolution.
Exposure and London
✅ 1. Suffering and Misery
Exposure shows soldiers suffering physically and mentally in war.
“Our brains ache”, “merciless iced east winds that knive us…” – nature is personified as violent.
London shows the emotional and societal suffering of the people.
“Marks of weakness, marks of woe” – repeated suffering everywhere.
🟰 Similarity: Both poems focus on endless, unavoidable suffering caused by powerful forces.
✅ 2. Criticism of Power / Authority
Exposure subtly criticises those in charge of the war, suggesting it’s pointless and deadly.
“What are we doing here?” – rhetorical question showing doubt and disillusionment.
London directly attacks the government, Church, and monarchy.
“Runs in blood down palace walls” – blames the monarchy for the people’s suffering.
🟰 Similarity: Both poets suggest that those in power are responsible for the suffering of others.
✅ 3. Repetition and Structure
Exposure: Repeats “But nothing happens” — shows futility and waiting for death.
London: Repeats “In every…” — shows the widespread, inescapable misery.
🟰 Similarity: Repetition reflects hopelessness and relentless suffering in both poems.
✅ 4. Tone and Atmosphere
Exposure: Cold, bleak, numb, drained.
London: Angry, bitter, frustrated.
🟰 Difference: Exposure is more resigned, while London is more accusatory — but both express deep emotional pain
SOTI and Exposure
Nature’s power over humanity
Fear and helplessness
Psychological impact of conflict
Isolation and vulnerability
