Study Notes on The Thorn by William Wordsworth

The Thorn by William Wordsworth

I. Description of the Thorn

  • Appearance:

    • "There is a thorn; it looks so old, In truth you’d find it hard to say, How it could ever have been young, It looks so old and grey."

    • Height: Not higher than a two years’ child; stands erect.

    • Features: No leaves, no thorny points; described as a mass of knotted joints.

    • Emotional tone: Portrayed as a "wretched thing forlorn."

  • Environment:

    • "It stands erect, and like a stone With lichens it is overgrown."

II. Appearance of Lichens and Moss

  • Overgrowth:

    • The thorn is heavily overgrown with lichens and moss, described as "a melancholy crop."

  • Symbolism:

    • The mosses creep from the earth, clasping the thorn: "So close, you’d say that they were bent With plain and manifest intent, To drag it to the ground;"

    • Interpretation of the collective force: The idea that nature aims to bury the thorn forever.

III. Location of the Thorn

  • Setting:

    • Situated high on a mountain’s ridge.

    • Proximity to the mountain-path: "Not five yards from the mountain-path, This thorn you on your left espy."

    • Nearby features: A muddy pond that is three feet long and two feet wide, described as "never dry."

IV. Description of Hill of Moss

  • Visual Appeal of Moss:

    • The moss heap beside the thorn is described as "a beauteous heap, a hill of moss, Just half a foot in height."

    • Colors: Described as displaying lovely colors, intricately noted: olive green, scarlet bright, spikes, branches, and stars.

  • Comparison:

    • The heap of moss compared to an infant’s grave.

    • The grave is implied to be fairer than an actual infant’s grave.

V. Timing to See the Thorn

  • Best Time for Viewing:

    • The poem advises choosing the right time for visiting the mountain to view the thorn, pond, and hill of moss.

VI. The Woman in the Scarlet Cloak

  • Character Introduction:

    • A recurring figure: A woman in a scarlet cloak who cries "Oh misery! oh misery! Oh woe is me! oh misery!"

  • Her Presence:

    • She appears at all times, known to every star and wind.

    • Takes her place beside the thorn regardless of weather conditions (rain, tempest, snow).

VII. Questions about the Woman's Suffering

  • Inquests into Her Motives:

    • Questions raised regarding why the woman frequents the dreary mountain-top and cries.

  • Expressed Uncertainty:

    • "I cannot tell; I wish I could; For the true reason no one knows."

  • Encouragement to Explore:

    • The narrator encourages viewers to visit the location to learn more about her tale.

VIII. Introduction of Martha Ray

  • Backstory:

    • "I’ll tell you all I know…
      ’Tis now some two and twenty years…" (Martha Ray’s backstory)

  • Initial Happiness:

    • Martha was blithe, happy with her love for Stephen Hill and had a wedding day planned.

IX. Betrayal by Stephen Hill

  • Love Story Take:

    • Stephen breaks Martha's heart by swearing an oath to another maid.

    • The emotional turmoil described: "A cruel, cruel fire, they say, Into her bones was sent."

X. Martha’s Madness and Loss

  • Narrative of Pain:

    • It is suggested that Martha had become mad after the betrayal and experienced pain from her condition ("she was with child, and she was mad,").

    • Reflects on her feelings about her child: "Oh me! ten thousand times I’d rather, That he had died, that cruel father!"

XI. The Child's Fate

  • Speculation:

    • Uncertainty on what became of the child; the poem conveys a deep sense of loss and ambiguity.

    • "But what became of this poor child There’s none that ever knew."

XII. Sounds from the Mountain

  • Mysterious Voices:

    • The narrator recalls that cries were heard from the mountain during dark winter nights; some voices were alive, while others seemed spectral.

XIII. Personal Experience on the Mountain

  • Recollection of an Encounter:

    • A stormy day led the narrator to discover the woman instead of the crag he sought.

    • A direct encounter marked by her cries: "O misery! O misery!"

XIV. Theories Surrounding the Baby

  • Local Speculation:

    • Locals debate the fate of Martha's child: some believe she drowned it, others feel it was hanged on a tree.

    • All agree that the infant was buried under the hill of moss.

XV. Concluding Thoughts on the Thorn

  • Physical Description Reiterated:

    • The thorn is heavy with tufts of moss, striving to drag it down; that's the only certainty known about it.

  • Repetition of Suffering:

    • Continual refrain of the woman’s lament: "Oh misery! oh misery! O woe is me! oh misery!"

Note on The Thorn

  • Introductory Poem Proposal:

    • Wordsworth felt the need for a preparatory introductory poem that was never written due to his state of mind.

  • Characterization of Superstitious Individuals:

    • Discussion of the nature of superstition concerning individuals who are credulous, talkative, and prone to be swayed by emotions without variety in their expressions.

  • Original Intent:

    • Aimed to show that while the forms of passion in conversation might seem uniform, they harbor subtle differences influenced by the individual’s inner feelings.

  • Language and Poetry:

    • The necessity of passion in poetry and the essential character of repeating words for emotional communication—an argument against the belief that repetition leads to monotony.

  • Examples from the Bible:

    • Quotes provided to illustrate effective repetition that conveys depth of feeling, affirming that repetition can enhance the communicative power of poetry, preserved through heartfelt language and passion.