To my sister -william wordsworth

Themes

• Belonging

• Relationships

• The Natural World

Context

• Romantic poet = emphasis on the natural world in the arts and literature
• Simplistic language was a common trope of Romantic poets
• Pantheism = universe is God's manifestation
• Represents the spring of Alfoxton in 1798. Wordsworth had suffered from depression, having left his mistress and child in France.
• He was disillusioned with the French Revolution but began to heal in the spiritual, rural English countryside

Important Quotes (5) - LANGUAGE

"March" "redbreast"
"a sense of joy to yield to the bare trees."

"My sister!… "Make haste,"
"Come forth and feel the sun."

"Love, now a universal birth….from Earth to man and man to Earth."

"One moment now may give us more than years of toiling reason."

"We'll give to idleness."

"March" "redbreast"
"a sense of joy to yield to the bare trees."

• Images of spring

THE NATURAL WORLD

The month of March indicates the coming of spring, that which is often synonymous with new beginnings, blossoming foliage and a sense of optimism. The images of spring is further accentuated by the reference to the "redbreast," which is a robin with symbolic and spiritual meaning: it is often associated with joy and contentment. Wordsworth highlights his continued appreciation for the sheer beauty and power nature holds.

"My sister!… "Make haste,"
"Come forth and feel the sun."

RELATIONSHIP W/ SISTER + NATURAL WORLD

The use of exclamation here indicates his enthusiasm and excitement for his sister to accompany him. This creates a sense of urgency about the paragraph, which is further accentuated by the following imperative verbs, "Make haste" and "Come forth." Indeed, Wordsworth wished to communicate to his sister, the importance of "giving to idleness", to simply appreciate the astounding qualities of the natural world, and how we can take from its rejuvenating and powerful qualities. The alteration of the "f" sound in the last line generates an alluring and hushed tone, which adds to the idyllic and serene qualities of the field.

"Love, now a universal birth….from Earth to man and man to Earth."

RELATIONSHIP W/ UNIVERSE

The "universal birth" is perhaps a reference to spring itself, as it is the time of the year when nature and animals almost come back to life after the dark, dreary months of winter. Indeed, Wordsworth is moved by the relationship man possessed with his natural surroundings: this is emphasises by the consistent use of simplistic language. The lack of superfluity indicates that nature in its simplest form is the most pure and beautiful, while overly-extravagant language is only a barrier to Wordsworth's audience. Simplistic language highlighting the beauty of nature, is common feature of many Romantic poets, as it serves as a challenge to the prior "Enlightenment" poets, who were driven by rationalism and empiricism.

"One moment now may give us more than years of toiling reason."

NATURAL WORLD

This line is emblematic of one the key themes in the poem, as well as a crucial idea in Romantic poetry on the whole. Here, Wordsworth emphasises how one moment of the natural world is spiritually enhancing and enriching and can be more impactful than years poring over philosophical texts (as per the prior Enlightenment poets). The poet is advocating for the appreciation of the sublime pragmatically and through experience.

"We'll give to idleness."

NATURAL WORLD

This is a further reference to one of the key ideas in Romantic poetry, that being "idle" (although has quite negative connotations in today's society) is in fact, beneficial for our physical and spiritual well-being. Wordsworth emphasises the importance of taking a break from our worldly pursuits, in order to appreciate our insignificance in comparison to the power and glory of nature.

Important Quotes - STRUCTURE

"bare trees and bare mountains"
"grass in the green field"

"And bring no book: for this day/ We'll give to idleness."

10 quatrains, AB rhyme scheme

The regular stanza length and continued sense of rhythm adds to the calming and soothing qualities of spring and helps to accentuate the beauty of nature.

"And bring no book: for this day/ We'll give to idleness."

REPETITION

Lines 15 and 16 are repeated as the last two lines, not only does this add symmetry to Wordsworth's work but also adds to the weight of his message: indeed, he is at great pains for his audience to grasp the importance of appreciating one's surroundings.

"bare trees and bare mountains"
"grass in the green field"

JUXTAPOSITION

The repetition of the adjective "bare" indicate the sparsity and indistinguishable qualities that nature possesses in the winter. This is juxtaposed by the following line, as Wordsworth employs the adjective "green" and although it is fairly simplistic language, it serves to generate a florid and vivid image in our minds, further highlighting the vibrancy of spring. The poet wishes to express how seasons and the natural landscape change astoundingly quickly, with spring bringing with it new life and hope.

Comparison Poem - Natural World

Sunday Dip/ Clear and Gentle Stream/ I Remember I Remember

Comparison Poem - Sibling Relationships

Captain Cook (To My Brother)

Comparison - Belonging in the Natural World

Peckham Rye Lane (belonging in an urban settin