The Prelude Flashcards
Context on poet
- 1st Person & autobiographical - personal childhood memories
- Grew up on the lake district - a place of natural beauty = influence
- Romantic beliefs - the power of nature, the importance of memory and personal growth
summary of poem
winter evening and he is playing outside
it is getting dark and he is supposed to go home
but he is having a good time with his friends
shift in tone towards the end as he acknowledges the vastness and overwhelming presence of nature
purpose of poem
nostalgic moment - recollection of childhood memories
reflects on nature and its overwhelming presence
invites sombre thoughts of death as time passes
form
1st person narrative
Blank verse - regular rhythm - natural speech
Enjambment - memories flooding out
structure
1 - focuses on the fun the children are having - light and care free tone
2 - distinct change as the focus turns to nature - more serious tone, greater awareness
Langauge
verbs for movement - youthful energy
animal imagery - connect with nature
sensory imagery - contrasts humans and nature
key quotes
The cottage windows through the twighlight blaz’d
Proud and exulting like an untir’d horse
An alien sound of melancholy
Mood
Nostalgic
Awareness of the vast sclae of nature
Appreciation of the natural world
‘The cottage windows through the twighlight blaz’d’
- Imagery of warmth and comfort
- contrast between the light in the home to the cold outdoors
- ‘Twilight’ suggests mystery and transition
- Reflects nature as both beautiful and intimidating
‘Proud and exulting like an untir’d horse’
- similie - youthful energy and freedom
- Speaker feels powerful and unstoppable
- extreme pleasure
- confident and carefree attitude
- reinforces connection between nature and human spirit
‘An alien sound of melancholy’
- shift in tone from Joy to fear
- Nature becomes overwhelming
- contrasting sounds of nature with familiar noises of happy children
- Natures power and mystery
