extract from, The prelude

william wordsworth

led by her

nature personified as a guide initally comforting which is a contrast to when it becomes more overwhelming later in poem, imagery of sublime. links to 1st half of poem being theme of romanticism 2nd half is theme of the sublime

“little boat” and “willow tree”

conveys a peaceful scene and emphasises the smallness of man as opposed to nature’s power. The willow tree is often associated with death, its presence therefore foreshadowing negative events to come.

i dipped my oars

man's arrogance vs. nature’s supremacy, mans attempt to dominate nature. phallic imagery used to of man trying to penetrate and control nature.

straight

“Straight” is in a position of emphasis at the beginning of the line, emphasising the confidence and assertive nature the poet has. This can be contrasted with his later actions. pride before the fall.

i unloosed her chain

freedom, act of theft with “act of stealth”, this event sets off conflict between human’s arrogance and nature’s might

troubled pleasure

oxymoron. sense of guilt from narrator. foreshdaows coming punishment

Small circles glittering idly in the moon

Wordsworth creates an idyllic and peaceful scene with language semantically peaceful. positive light imagery. this moemnt is disturbed by the looming mountain

“Far above was nothing”

Emphasises emptiness and isolation; shows the narrator’s fear as he confronts the vast unknown.

elfin pinnance

fairy boat, fairy-tale-like language reflects the narrator’s childish view of the world before encountering nature’s true power

A huge peak, black and huge

• Personification of nature.

  • Nature is personified and characterised as something menacing and frightening.

  • “Black” is associated with ideas of power and death.

• Breaks iambic pentameter.

  • Shows how overwhelming the experience was and how nature’s power cannot be tamed

trouble to my dreams

Unsettling image – huge contrast in tone to surety at beginning. The experience haunts him; suggests trauma and long-lasting psychological impact caused by the sublime

Upreared its head

• The mountain is alive, dominant, almost animalistic or god-like.Nature as a powerful and threatening force.

form and structure

• Blank Verse: Written in unrhymed iambic pentameter – mirrors natural speech, adds to the personal tone.

• Epic Style: Though personal, the poem mimics classical epics, suggesting the event is life-changing and significant.

• One long verse: The lack of stanza breaks reflects the continuous flow of thought and memory, like a stream of consciousness.

• Volta (turning point): Occurs when the mountain appears – marks a shift from confidence to fear.

• Cyclical structure of nature: Begins with calm nature, ends with overwhelming nature – nature frames the poem.

themes

power of nature, the sublime, romanticism, man vs nature

compare with

ozymadias, london