The Prelude

The Prelude

1. Author

   • William Wordsworth lived in the Lake District in 1770
   • Work inspired by past events, thoughts on nature, the mind + hope
   • Based on childhood memories, personal journeys + the search for understanding

2. Structure

   • 44 lines
   • Blank verse shows it is serious + important
   • Epic like poem = ordinary event with an epic quality to emphasise effect on his life
   • No stanzas so continues like a story
   • Frequent enjambment to show conversation like story + gentle rowing of boat

3. Sound

   • Conversational like talking to us + use of ands give a breathless quality like child telling the story
   • "troubled pleasure" gives micheavous tone + its not right
   • "measured motion" alitteration of m is menacing like mountain is in control
   • "the water like a swan" similie of grace and elegance

4. About

   • Prelude = an action or event serving as an introduction to something more important
   • Whole poem is about poets spiritual growth + coming to terms with who he is
   • Extract describes how poet went out on a boat at night alone + a mountain peak loomed over him; its presence has a great effect + days after troubled by the experience

5. Imagery

   • "led by her" personification of nature or boat whose influence is compelling
   • "nothing but the stars and grey sky" makes him seen small + alone as the beauty is threatening
   • "like a living thing" similie - imagination plays tricks especially on impressionable child

6. Themes

   • Once an event happens, it isn't over as it can stay + haunt you
   • Nature: humanity is part of nature + can be made to feel small + insignificant by natural world
   • Loneliness: poet often alone as he can think more clearly + is more affected by events + places
   • The night: sometimes experience feelings + events clearer at night maybe due to loneliness

7. Comparison

   • Spellbound, Below the Green Corrie, Wind + Storm in the Black Forest
     • All agree nature is dominant over humanity
     • All human characters feel under threat at some point
     • Isolation
     • Natures beauty