the prelude

Question 1

What is the title of the poem from which this extract is taken?

Answer 1

The Prelude

The Prelude is a poem by William Wordsworth, consisting of fourteen books.

Question 2

What literary device is used to describe the boat as ‘a fairy boat’?

Answer 2

Metaphor

The metaphor creates a magical and otherworldly image of the boat.

Question 3

What does the turning-point (volta) in the poem signify?

Answer 3

A complete change in tone

Question 4

What is personified in the poem, particularly in relation to the mountain?

Answer 4

Nature

Nature is depicted as a powerful, conscious being that influences human lives.

Question 5

What feelings does the narrator experience when first encountering the boat?

Answer 5

Troubled pleasure

This suggests a mix of excitement and guilt.

Question 6

How is the mountain described when it first appears?

Answer 6

Black and huge

This description contrasts sharply with earlier beautiful images.

Question 7

What is the effect of the mountain’s appearance on the narrator?

Answer 7

He feels afraid and guilty

Question 8

Fill in the blank: The narrator’s mood changes from _______ to serious after seeing the mountain.

Answer 8

happy

Question 9

What does the term ‘covert’ refer to in the context of the poem?

Answer 9

Shelter

Question 10

What does the repetition of sibilant sounds in the poem create?

Answer 10

A sinister mood

Question 11

What does the narrator mean by ‘grave and serious mood’?

Answer 11

A reminder of his own mortality

Question 12

What does the narrator struggle to describe after the encounter with the mountain?

Answer 12

A dim and undetermined sense of unknown modes of being

Question 13

True or False: The narrator initially views nature in a purely beautiful way.

Answer 13

True

Question 14

What is the significance of the ‘horizon’s utmost boundary’ in the poem?

Answer 14

It represents a limit that the narrator seeks to reach

Question 15

What does the imagery of ‘huge and mighty forms’ suggest about the narrator’s thoughts after the encounter?

Answer 15

He feels unsettled and troubled

Question 16

Fill in the blank: The poem explores the connection between nature and _______.

Answer 16

human emotion

Question 17

What does the narrator’s encounter with the mountain symbolize?

Answer 17

A loss of innocence and understanding of nature

Question 18

What is the narrator’s emotional state at the end of the poem?

Answer 18

Alone and unsettled

Question 19

What does the word ‘pinnace’ refer to?

Answer 19

A small boat

Question 20

What type of poetry does Wordsworth’s work represent?

Answer 20

Romantic poetry

Question 21

What does the phrase ‘like a living thing’ imply about the mountain?

Answer 21

It suggests it has a purpose and presence

Question 22

Who was William Wordsworth?

Answer 22

A poet from the Lake District

Question 23

What is ‘The Prelude’?

Answer 23

‘The Prelude’ is an autobiographical poem

Question 24

When was ‘The Prelude’ published?

Answer 24

1850, shortly after Wordsworth’s death

Question 25

What event begins the extract of 'The Prelude'?

Answer 25

The narrator finds a boat tied to a tree

Question 26

What does the narrator initially feel when he takes the boat out?

Answer 26

Happy and confident

Question 27

What changes the narrator's mood during the poem?

Answer 27

The appearance of a mountain

Question 28

How does the narrator feel about the mountain?

Answer 28

Afraid of its size and power

Question 29

What form of narrative is used in 'The Prelude'?

Answer 29

First-person narrative

Question 30

What effect does the use of blank verse have on the poem?

Answer 30

Makes it sound serious and important

Question 31

How many main sections are there in the extract?

Answer 31

Three main sections

Question 32

Describe the tone in the first section of the extract.

Answer 32

Fairly light and carefree

Question 33

What happens to the tone when the mountain appears?

Answer 33

It becomes darker and more fearful

Question 34

What type of imagery is used at the beginning of the poem?

Answer 34

Pretty, pastoral images of nature

Question 35

How does the narrator's confidence change throughout the poem?

Answer 35

Starts confident, becomes fearful and troubled

Question 36

What does the phrase 'troubled pleasure' suggest about the narrator's feelings?

Answer 36

A mix of enjoyment and discomfort

Question 37

What is the lasting effect of the experience on the narrator?

Answer 37

A haunting feeling of awe and respect for nature

Question 38

What key themes are present in 'The Prelude'?

Answer 38

The power of nature, fear, individual experiences

Question 39

Fill in the blank: The experience of the mountain leaves the narrator with a feeling of _______.

Answer 39

awe and respect for nature

Question 40

True or False: The narrator feels more powerful than nature at the end of the poem.

Answer 40

False

Question 41

What does the narrator reflect on at the end of the poem?

Answer 41

How he has been changed by the event

Question 42

What other poems are mentioned that also depict the power of nature?

Answer 42

* 'Exposure' * 'Storm on the Island' * 'Remains'

Question 43

Who influenced many of Wordsworth's poems?

Answer 43

His sister Dorothy ## Footnote Dorothy's journal provided inspiration for Wordsworth's work.

Question 44

What natural imagery is described in Wordsworth's reflection?

Answer 44

Daffodils along the waterside ## Footnote This imagery illustrates the beauty and abundance of nature.

Question 45

What is 'The Prelude' primarily about?

Answer 45

Mankind's actions and nature's power ## Footnote It serves as an extended metaphor highlighting the relationship between humans and nature.

Question 46

In 'The Prelude', what emotion does the character feel while stealing the boat?

Answer 46

Pride ## Footnote This pride reflects a false sense of control over nature.

Question 47

What does the act of stealing a boat symbolize in the poem?

Answer 47

Mankind's selfishness and desire to dominate nature ## Footnote This act illustrates humanity's illusion of power.

Question 48

How does Wordsworth describe the mountain in 'The Prelude'?

Answer 48

As a huge peak that haunts him ## Footnote This personification emphasizes the overwhelming power of nature.

Question 49

What poetic device is used to describe the mountain?

Answer 49

Personification ## Footnote The mountain is referred to as 'her', giving it a life-like quality.

Question 50

What is the structure of 'The Prelude' regarding rhyme?

Answer 50

It uses blank verse, having no rhyme scheme ## Footnote This contributes to the poem's free-flowing nature.

Question 51

What rhythm is prominently featured in 'The Prelude'?

Answer 51

Iambic pentameter ## Footnote This rhythm reflects the natural flow of the poem.

Question 52

What does the simile comparing the boat to an 'elfin pinnace' suggest?

Answer 52

The pride and arrogance of Wordsworth's initial feelings ## Footnote An 'elfin pinnace' evokes a sense of mythical and delicate beauty.

Question 53

What literary technique conveys the feeling of being overwhelmed in 'The Prelude'?

Answer 53

Frequent enjambment ## Footnote This technique reflects the continuous flow of thoughts and emotions.

Question 54

What is the effect of using caesurae and subordinate clauses in the poem?

Answer 54

Creates a sense of confusion and being overwhelmed ## Footnote This structure mirrors Wordsworth's emotional state.

Question 55

What type of language does Wordsworth use to describe his initial feelings towards nature?

Answer 55

Positive and light-related language ## Footnote Words like 'pleasure' and 'sparkling light' convey confidence.

Question 56

What shift occurs in the mood of the poem as it progresses?

Answer 56

From light and peace to dark and imposing ## Footnote This shift reflects the growing dominance of nature over mankind.

Question 57

What does the repetition of phrases like 'struck and struck' signify?

Answer 57

Nature's overwhelming power ## Footnote This repetition emphasizes the impact of nature on the speaker.

Question 58

What does the term 'semantic fields' refer to in the context of the poem?

Answer 58

Groups of words that relate to specific themes or emotions ## Footnote This helps accentuate the change in mood from confidence to fear.

Question 59

What does the phrase 'my bark' symbolize in 'The Prelude'?

Answer 59

The fragility and weakness of mankind against nature ## Footnote It illustrates the vulnerability of human endeavors.