Prelude Alternate Interpretation Flashcards
(15 cards)
What is the ‘sexual awakening’ interpretation in The Prelude?
A symbolic confrontation with overwhelming adult forces, particularly sexual awareness, power, and the sublime.
This interpretation highlights the transition from childhood innocence to awareness of complex emotions.
What does the act of rowing symbolize in the context of The Prelude?
A physical, almost sensual effort, mimicking a sexual act.
The repetitive motion reflects the complexities of pleasure and discomfort.
What does the oxymoron ‘troubled pleasure’ suggest?
Conflicting emotions associated with adolescent sexual awareness: curiosity, pleasure, fear, and guilt.
This reflects the tension between enjoyment and discomfort.
How is the mountain described in The Prelude?
As a powerful, mysterious force, personified and almost alive.
Descriptions like ‘huge peak, black and huge’ emphasize its dominance and overwhelming nature.
What emotional aftermath does the speaker experience after encountering the mountain?
Shame, confusion, and an identity crisis.
This reflects a loss of childhood innocence linked to coming-of-age experiences.
What does the phrase ‘There hung a darkness… no familiar shapes remained’ signify?
A deep disturbance and loss of innocence.
It illustrates the psychological impact of intense emotional encounters.
Why is the reading of ‘sexual awakening’ significant in The Prelude?
It highlights conflict within the self and the psychological transformation from security to vulnerability.
Wordsworth uses powerful experiences to illustrate lasting impressions on the mind.
Fill in the blank: In literature, a sexual awakening often refers to a moment where a character becomes aware of powerful, adult emotions linked to _______.
[desire, vulnerability, shame, self-discovery]
What does the term ‘stealth’ imply in the context of the speaker’s actions?
A private act done away from others, suggesting secrecy.
This reflects themes of forbidden thrill and early sexual curiosity.
How does the mountain’s description as ‘huge’, ‘black’, and ‘strode’ impact the speaker?
It makes the mountain feel overwhelming and symbolizes a dominant force.
This moment shatters the speaker’s confidence and sense of control.
What does the phrase ‘Upreared its head’ convey about the mountain?
It personifies the mountain as aggressive and predatory, linking to feelings of fear and submission.
This reflects psychoanalytic themes related to adult realities.
What emotional state does the speaker experience after the mountain encounter?
Emotional desolation, seeing the world through fear and confusion.
This mirrors common effects of sexual awakening in literature.
Summary of the ‘Beginning’ phase in the sexual awakening reading: What happens and what does it symbolize?
Confident rowing, excitement, ‘troubled pleasure’ symbolizes childlike curiosity and innocent pleasure.
Summary of the ‘Middle’ phase in the sexual awakening reading: What happens and what does it symbolize?
Mountain appears, ‘huge’, ‘black’, ‘strode’ symbolizes the discovery of something powerful and overwhelming.
Summary of the ‘Aftermath’ phase in the sexual awakening reading: What happens and what does it symbolize?
Fear, ‘blank desertion’, no familiar images symbolize emotional confusion, loss of innocence, and shame.
