extract from the prelude

form and structure

* STANZA STRUCTURE: the entire extract is a single stanza which emphasises the overwhelming power of nature, this is heightened as there are no breaks or pauses which causes the reader to feel breathless. 


* CYCLICAL STRUCTURE: Wordsworth employs a cyclical structure to emphasises the change that took place during the journey was internal and psychological rather than external and physical. 

**‘Small circles glittering idly in the moon’**

* Wordsworth creates a peaceful scene with words from the semantic field of peacefulness. The word ‘glittering’ is from the lexical field of light, creating a positive image, almost magical. 

**‘a huge peak, black and huge [...] Upreared its head’**

* The repetition of ‘huge’ shows that he is unable to put into words the experience that he had. Wordsworth describes the mountain to be ‘black’, which contrasts from the light imagery that he used previously in the poem, the sharp contrast highlights the dangers of the mountain. The repetition of ‘huge’ also emphasises the sheer size of the mountain, and it also sounds like stuttering, which suggests that he is nervous and intimidated in the face of such raw power. 


* The mountain is also personified here, the disturbing image contrasts with the beautiful images of the boat. The mountain seems to be living with intent - wanting to reveal itself. This phrase also suggests the reader can empathise with the speaker’s fear and anxiety, and it juxtaposes to how nature was working with him at first, but now has turned against him. The verbs of growth and weight implies that he feels as if the landscape is growing around him. 

**‘But huge and mighty forms, that do not live / like living men’** 

* The speaker believes that he is in control - reaching his ‘chosen point’ performing an act of stealth, but really he is just following nature which is controlled by a greater force. The use of enjambment hints that he is not really in control, suggesting an uncontrollable urge to convey the power of nature, hinting that he wants to try and express what he feels. 


* Here, Wordsworth may be suggesting how mankind always thinks it is in control but it is really always subject to nature. This further demonstrates the power of nature, and how although humanity always believes that we are the most powerful, nature is more powerful and omnipotent.