The Prelude by William Wordsworth Flashcards
A Summary between Lines 1 and 16?
She leads him to a Boat, it is Clear that the Speaker has a Clear View of Nature. As he Rowed the Boat along he could hear the ‘Mountains Echo’ and the ‘Small Circles Glittering’.
A Summary between Lines 17 and 31?
There is a Drastic Shift in Tone after talking about an ‘Elfin Pinnace’. He mentions the Beast being ‘Black and Huge’, also described its Body Features throughout most of it.
A Summary between Lines 32 and 44?
At times he can be Enjoying Nature, but after his experiences the Speaker became aware that there are more Dangerous, Mysterious and Dark things hidden Deep inside Nature.
‘The Prelude’ turns from Pleasant Sounding to ________ Sounding.
Harsh.
What does William Wordsworth view Nature as?
A Metaphor when Describing Beasts. He sees Modern Society as People who aren’t Acting up to his Expectations; or, unlikely, the Animals that annoy him a lot.
“A Little Boat Tied to a Willow Tree.” What does this show?
The “Boat” is a Metaphor of Man’s Influence, still Anchored by the Tree representing Nature.
“Straight I Unloosed her Chain.” What does this show?
Loosening the Chain and pushing from Shore represents the Poet as Mankind moving to stand on its own Two Feet.
“Small Circles Glittering Idly in the Moon.” What does this show?
Wordsworth creates an Idyllic and Peaceful Scene with Language Semantically Peaceful.
“Upon the Summit of a Craggy Ridge.” What does this show?
The Mood changed with the Craggy Ridge and Horizons Boundary represents Nature, limiting the Progress of the Poet.
“She was an Elfin Pinnace.” What does this show?
The Term “Elfin Pinnace” could be Translated as “Fairy Boat”, a Metaphor for the now Heated Mood of the Poet. Elves were often Viewed as Sexual and Lustful.
“Went Heaving through the Water like a Swan.” What does this show?
The Simile reminds us that anything Man tries to Produce, it Merely Imitates Nature which does it Better.
“The Horizon’s Bound, a Huge Peak, Black and Huge.” What does this show?
The Horizon makes the Shift in Tone, the Language becomes Darker and Dangerous. The Peak Mountain is Personified with a “Purpose of it’s Own”.
“With Trembling Oars I turned.” What does this show?
Use of Trembling Connotes the Fear and Vulnerability of the Poet, he is Shown like a Wounded Animal, Hiding away.
“And through the Meadows Homeward went.” What does this show?
Meadows, usually Peaceful and Joyful, have Juxtaposed to the ‘Grave’ and ‘Serious’ Mood.
“There Hung a Darkness.”
The “Darkness” Hanging over him represents his Change to a Darker Mood at the End of the Journey. The Words all Carry a Darker and Sinister Tone, more Morbid and Melancholy. He is Reflecting on the Conflict in his Mind of the Juxtaposed Peaceful Side of Nature and the Harsh Extremes, it also contains “Big and Mighty Forms”.
