William Wordsworth Flashcards
(14 cards)
Q: What were Wordsworth’s early political beliefs in the 1790s?
A: Inspired by the French Revolution, Wordsworth supported liberty, equality, and democracy, hoping for social justice and freedom from tyranny.
Q: Why is “A Letter to the Bishop of Llandaff” (1793) important?
A: Wordsworth condemns monarchy, supports the Revolution, criticises the Church’s role in oppression, and trusts the common people to bring change.
Q: How does Wordsworth defend his poetic style in the Preface to Lyrical Ballads?
A: He says poetry should use simple, everyday language to express deep feelings and moral truths, breaking from formal, elevated styles.
Q: How did critics respond to Lyrical Ballads?
A: Critics mocked its simple language and subjects as unpoetic, but Wordsworth defended his style and its moral value in later Prefaces.
Q: Why did Wordsworth’s politics change in the early 1800s?
A: The Revolution’s violence and his growing ties to the English aristocracy made him more conservative, patriotic, and less radical.
Q: What change is shown in Wordsworth’s 1812 letter to Catherine Clarkson?
A: He blames the lower classes for social problems, calling them ignorant—unlike his earlier praise of the common people.
Q: How did financial security affect Wordsworth’s views?
A: Patronage and a government job made him more conservative, supporting the aristocracy and traditional social order.
Q: How did personal losses in 1812 impact Wordsworth’s poetry?
A: The deaths of his children deepened his emotional sensitivity and spiritual themes.
Q: What was Wordsworth’s relationship with Coleridge’s family?
A: Despite drifting apart, Wordsworth cared for Coleridge’s son, showing personal loyalty beyond their poetry.
Q: Why is Guide to the Lakes (1822) significant?
A: It shows Wordsworth’s love for the Lake District, combining nature appreciation with local history and tourism.
Q: What themes are in “Lines Written in Early Spring”?
A: Nature’s peaceful harmony contrasts with human cruelty; the tone is reflective and mournful.
Q: What are the main ideas in “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey”?
A: Nature offers spiritual renewal and moral guidance; memories of nature strengthen the soul.
Q: What does Ode: Intimations of Immortality explore?
A: Childhood innocence and loss of spiritual vision with age, but wisdom can return through memory and reflection.
Q: What defines Wordsworth’s poetic style?
A: Simple language, focus on nature and rural life, celebration of childhood innocence, and deep emotional and moral reflection.
