The prelude v. storm on the island

Question 1

THEMES IN BOTH

Answer 1

1. violence of nature
2. physical v. psychological impacts of nature
3. sense of hubris and arrogance in the face of nature

Question 2

STRUCTURE OF THE PRELUDE

Answer 2

Written as an epic poem, lengthy narrative focused around a heroic protagonist.
single stanza emphasises the overwhelming power of nature, it is heightened due to no breaks, breathless feeling.
this feeling is intensified by the enjambment and connectives giving the reader no pauses- endless stream of fear?
cyclical- emphasise the internal and psychological changes ends and starts w/ mooring of the boat.

Question 3

STRUCTURE OF SOTI

Answer 3

dramatic monologue, no consistent rhyme scheme, reflects how order cant be enforced upon nature and humans cant control it- this juxtaposes the iambic pentameter and strict rhythm.
there are half rhymes at start and end which gives it a cyclical nature.
enjambment, feels like overflow and a barrage of information- reflecting the barrage of the storm? feels breathless because it is one stanza.

Question 4

PERSPECTIVE IN BOTH

Answer 4

the prelude- autobiographical, 1st person narration that makes use of past tense and present shows how the experience of nature has shaped the way he as an individual lives.

soti- dramatic monologue that creates a sense of isolation, feels like a one way conversation. juxtaposes the constant use of collective pronouns

Question 5

THEME 1- violence of nature
QUOTES

Answer 5

the prelude- “with purpose of its own And measured motion like a living thing, strode after me”

soti- “spits like a tame cat turned savage”
“space is a salvo, we are bombarded”
“exploding”“strafes”“blast”“pummels”

Question 6

why do the writers show nature as violent?

Answer 6

it suggests and alludes to nature’s dominant power over man.
weather seems as if it is a weapon.
undermines power of mankind

Question 7

THEME 2- physical v. psychological impacts of nature
QUOTES

Answer 7

1. the prelude- psychological, “like living men, moved slowly through the mind”
   “there hung a darkness, call it solitude or blank desertion”
2. soti- physical
   “it pummels your house too, but there are no trees no natural shelter”

Question 8

why do the poems show contrast between physical and psychological impacts of nature?

Answer 8

it shows even further the true power of nature and how it can scar physically and mentally. The prelude is from romantic era and so has a bigger focus on emotion and how things like nature causes fundamental transformations in the mind and heart of people.
whereas, storm on the island being more literal in the sense that they are being physically attacked by the storm.

Question 9

THEME 3. sense of hubris and arrogance in the face of nature
QUOTES

Answer 9

1. soti “we are prepared”
2. the prelude- “proud of his skill, to reach a certain point with an unswerving line, i fixed my view”

Question 10

why do the writers create a sense of hubris and arrogance in the face of nature.

Answer 10

it is representative of humanity
ties in with a theme of humanity’s evil, as
Wordsworth is showing how humanity’s innate hubris leads to ignorance and
subsequent offences against the forces they underestimate. creates irony?