The World Is Too Much With Us – William Wordsworth

Who is the poet of "The World Is Too Much With Us"?

William Wordsworth.

What era does the poem belong to?

The Romantic Era (late 18th – early 19th century).

When was the poem composed and published?

Composed around 1802; published in 1807.

What is the primary subject of the poem?

The poem laments humanity’s estrangement from nature due to industrialization and material pursuits.

What does Wordsworth criticize in the poem?

The modern preoccupation with commerce and the loss of a harmonious relationship with nature.

What is the structure of the poem?

A 14-line sonnet.

What is the meter of the poem?

Iambic pentameter.

What is the typical rhyme scheme of the poem?

Follows the Petrarchan model; ABBAABBA for the octave and CDECDE or similar variations for the sestet.

What does the form of the sonnet express in the poem?

The tension between nature’s eternal beauty and the chaotic, consuming modern world.

What themes are present in the poem?

Man’s Alienation from Nature, Loss of Spirituality, Nature’s Timeless Beauty vs. Human Transience.

What is the tone of the poem?

Melancholic, reproachful, and reflective with urgency.

What literary device is used to portray nature powerfully?

Imagery.

How is nature depicted in the poem through personification?

Endowed with life and agency, acting as both a witness and a victim of human neglect.

What metaphor is used regarding the modern world?

It is likened to a force that 'lags' behind nature’s pure, vibrant essence.

What ironic assertion does the poem critique?

The idea that material wealth and progress equate to true prosperity.

What does the poet long for in the poem?

A restoration of the lost bond with nature.

What is the significance of the compactness of the sonnet?

It mirrors the urgency of the poet’s critique.

How does the poem reflect the Romantic Era ideals?

It emphasizes the importance of nature and critiques industrialization.

In what way does the poem comment on human concerns?

Contrasts the fleeting concerns of humanity with the enduring qualities of nature.

What does the loss of connection with nature symbolize in the poem?

A loss of deeper, intrinsic values.

What does the poet imply about humanity's priorities?

That they are misguided and neglectful of the natural world.