Poetry: Excerpt From ‘The Prelude’ Flashcards
(20 cards)
Whys: 1
Wordsworth heralds the immense power and beauty of the natural world, which transcends all
human constructs.
Whys: 2
The poem serves as a reminder of the complex and organic relationship between man and
nature, which Wordsworth strongly felt had its own knowledge to offer humanity.
Whys: 3
Wordsworth hoped to inspire his readers to revert back to a more pure and childlike appreciation
of the natural world. This may have felt particularly important to Wordsworth, given that the
rise of the Industrial Revolution meant many people were becoming alienated from the
natural world as they moved to towns and cities to work
Which themes are present in this poem?
Change and transformation
Nature
Sense of place
Which poems link to this poem?
Death of a naturalist
To autumn
Summary
This extract shows Wordsworth as a child, ice-skating with friends on a frozen lake. At first, the scene is full of energy, excitement and unity—they pretend to hunt and race across the ice. But gradually, the tone shifts as he becomes more reflective, noticing the sounds of the landscape, the melancholy in nature, and the passage of time. It’s a moment of growing up—moving from childish joy to quiet awareness.
Context 1
Romanticism: Wordsworth was a Romantic poet—this means he believed nature, emotion, and childhood were essential to understanding life.
Context 2
Autobiographical: This extract comes from The Prelude, his long poem about growing up and learning from nature. This section captures the joy of freedom in youth and the beginnings of deeper reflection.
Form
Written in blank verse – unrhymed iambic pentameter.
Form and content
It mimics natural speech and thoughtful reflection, perfect for a personal memory that becomes deeper and more emotional as it develops.
Structure
Enjambment: Lines flow without full stops, especially in the fast-paced skating parts – this mirrors the smooth, gliding movement of the boys on the ice.
Caesurae: Later in the poem, pauses (like in “That cares not for his home. – All shod with steel…”) slow the pace, reflecting a shift to deeper thought and atmosphere.
Turning point: Starts joyful and energetic, but gradually becomes more melancholic and reflective—showing a shift in the speaker’s mind and maturity.
Rhyme
No rhyme scheme (blank verse) – adds to the natural, reflective tone, making the memory feel personal and real.
Helps the flow mirror skating movements and shifting thoughts.
In the frosty season, when the sun / Was set
Nature, Time
Setting, seasonal imagery
Introduces a cold winter scene—sets tone of stillness and beauty.
Happy time it was, indeed, for all of us
Childhood, Joy
Reflective tone, repetition
Shows pure joy and nostalgia of being young and free.
Proud and exulting, like an untir’d horse
Energy, Freedom
Simile
He compares himself to a wild horse—youthful strength and excitement.
We hiss’d along the polish’d ice
Movement, Play
Onomatopoeia, sibilance
“Hiss’d” mimics sound of skates—creates a vivid, fast-paced image.
Resounding horn, / The pack loud bellowing, and the hunted hare
Play, Nature
Allusion to hunting, imagery
Shows the boys pretending to hunt—childish imitation of adult behaviour.
Tinkled like iron
Sound, Nature
Simile, auditory imagery
Nature becomes vivid and almost metallic—beauty mixed with harshness.
An alien sound / Of melancholy
Growing up, Reflection
Mood shift, contrast
Nature suddenly feels strange and sad—he’s becoming more aware and reflective.
The orange sky of evening died away
Time, Change
Metaphor, imagery
Sunset shows end of play, passing time, and a shift into more serious thought.
