Extract From The Prelude Flashcards
Who is the poet?
William Wordsworth
What is the poem about?
About a boy who steals a boat and gets frightened by the huge cliff face.
What form is the poem in?
Epic poetry are poems full of adventure and heroic actions. It is usually about one major event. The hero in this poem could be seen as the poet himself or it is possible to see nature as the hero.
Blank verse but is written in iambic pentameter.
What structure does the poem adopt?
The poem is in one long sprawling verse. This is to show how overwhelming the experience was on young Wordsworth. He was overwhelmed by his experience of nature.
Why does Wordsworth use enjambment?
Enjambment adds a sense of the overwhelming effect of nature on the young Wordsworth in the opening lines of the poem. “Led by her” he is deliberately taken there by nature.
How does Wordsworth present the view of man?
“Act of stealth” “stealth” has the connotations of being sneaky and sly. The action was mo rally wrong but the poet still took the boat. Man is being shown as being selfish, taking
I whatever he wants with no thought of the consequences.
“Proud of his skill” mans prideful attitude. Hi
What are the positive words used in the poem?
“Stepping””leaving” “glittering” “sparkling “ high points of
Which quotes show Wordsworth in control and proud?
“Proud of his skill”
“chosen my view”
“I fixed my view”
What metaphor Shows that man does not know everything?
“The horizon’s utmost boundary” the realization that the young Wordsworth does not know everything.
Which quote shows that nature can not be controlled by man?
“The mean and vulgar works of man”
Which quote shows the growing arrogance of man?
In the first two lines the boat is described as “little boat” later the poet described it as a “Elfin pinnace” which adds a mythical nature to Wordsworth’s experience of stealing the boat. Shows his growing arrogance as the story of the poem goes on.
Which sentences show Wordsworth’s increase in tension and suspense when he relies that the “craggy ridge” is not the top of the mountain?
“When, from behind that craggy steep” the word “when” adds a moment of delay and heightens suspense. The same is with “ a huge peak, black and huge, as if with voluntary power instinct”. Tension and suspension is created allowing the reader to empathize with the tension inherent in the moment for the poet. This sentence is also breathtaking to read, reflecting the intensity of the moment.
Throughout the poem the poet uses personification. However this is not the case for the cliff which is described as “it”. Why is this?
Previously the poet had the power to define the moments of his experience as he wanted, he no longer has this once he sees the cliff face nature has the power. The shift in pronouns also shows the poets shock which was previously not seen in the poem.
The poet’s ambitious and expressive vocabulary deserts him when he sees the cliff face. Previously the poet uses smilies like, “like a swan” suggesting the grace of the boat. However now he use simplistic language to describe the cliff “huge peak, black and huge” why is this?
The use of simplistic language shows the shock of the poet and the repetition of the word “huge” reflects the poets lack of confidence against the power of nature.
When does the poet lose grip of reality?
The mountain had a “purpose of its own” and “strode after” him.
However now as a adult the poet knows that the mountain was not chasing him this can been seen the quote “so it seemed”.
