the prelude

type of poem

an autobiographical epic

key themes

fragility, nature, self-conflict/realisation

william refers to “her”

interpreted as mother nature

nature is seen as female

in that, nature is responsible for the feminine task of creating, sustaining and nurturing life

nurturing the whole planet, demonstrating superior power

william paints a

tranquil and beautiful picture of nature and a boys ability to engage in it

“elfin pinnace”

the boy believes in his ability to control nature, but this is a deception as nature is guiding him

the poet hides the mountain like

a beast hiding and waiting to pounce, revealing the true power of nature

changing the idea of peacefulness to fearfulness

this poem symbolises a turning point

as he passes from the innocent days of childhood to adulthood

hes no longer sadfe, like theres danger at every corner

iambic pentameter

the lies don’t follow a specific rhyme but structured with this, he wanted to describe the development of his own imagination and spiritual growth through the experience of nature this reflect the form of natural speech reinforcing the idea of self-reflection and his inner monologue

he uses similes

wordsworth is sharing his knowledge of natures power and the universality of his experience

as the poem progresses the language is less sophisticated as he is overwhelmed

to compare to

storm on the island

ozymandias