Wordsworth's "Intimations of Immortality": A Journey Through Childhood Wonder and Loss
 |
| Fiza Create image |
Poem: "Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood" by William Wordsworth
Understanding the Stanzas
This analysis explores two key stanzas from Wordsworth's poem, delving into the themes of childhood wonder, its gradual fading with age, and the speaker's melancholic reflection on the loss of that magical perspective.
Stanza 1
Lines 1-4
The speaker reminisces about a period in childhood when nature held an extraordinary beauty. Meadows, groves, streams, and even ordinary sights were "Apparelled in celestial light," radiating a divine or dreamlike quality.
Lines 5-8: The speaker laments a shift. The world is no longer as awe-inspiring as it once was. He searches for that transformative experience, "By night or day," but the magic has vanished.
Explanation:
This stanza establishes the central theme of the poem. The speaker contrasts the enchanting view of nature during childhood with the more mundane perspective of adulthood. The youthful experience is depicted as one filled with wonder and a sense of the divine, while the experience of adulthood is marked by a loss of that initial awe.
Stanza 2: The Enduring Beauty, Yet Fading Glory
Lines 1-4: The speaker acknowledges the ongoing beauty of natural phenomena like rainbows, roses, the moonlit sky, and starry waters.
Lines 5-7: However, a sense of loss persists. Despite the beauty that remains, the speaker feels that "a glory from the earth" has disappeared.
Explanation:
This stanza explores how the speaker grapples with the coexistence of beauty and loss. While nature still offers moments of wonder, the transformative experience of childhood has faded. The speaker feels a sense of nostalgia for a time when the world held a deeper significance.
Title
"Lost Enchantment: A Reflection on Childhood Wonder"** (Highlights the theme of lost wonder)
"Nature's Enduring Beauty, Yet Fading Glory"** (Focuses on the contrast between enduring beauty and perceived loss)
Overall, these stanzas from Wordsworth's poem explore the bittersweet nature of human experience. The speaker cherishes the memories of childhood wonder but acknowledges the inevitable loss that accompanies aging. The poem compels us to reflect on the importance of cherishing the beauty around us, even
as we recognize its impermanece.
The line "The child is father of the man" from Wordsworth's poem "My Heart Leaps Up" means that the qualities, beliefs, and attitudes a person has as an adult are often shaped by their experiences and influences during childhood. It suggests that our childhood experiences and values play a significant role in forming our character and who we become as adults.
In simpler terms, it emphasizes the idea that what we learn and experience when we are young has a lasting impact on our adult selves. The phrase also implies that our fundamental values and beliefs are rooted in our early years, and they continue to influence us as we grow older. It underscores the importance of nurturing positive and meaningful experiences during childhood to build a strong foundation for adulthood.
**Title:** "Intimations of Immortality from Early Childhood Memories" - First Stanza
**Explanation:**
In the first stanza of this poem by William Wordsworth, the speaker reflects on a time from his childhood when he perceived the world differently. During that period, the meadows, forests, streams, and even the most common everyday scenes appeared to be bathed in a heavenly and glorious light. It was as though he saw everything with a sense of wonder, as if the world were a beautiful dream filled with freshness and brilliance.
However, the speaker laments that this enchanting perspective has changed as he has grown older. He can no longer experience the same sense of awe and wonder that he did in his youth. He describes how he has lost the ability to see the world in the same way, no matter where he looks or whether it's day or night. The things he once saw with such wonder and vividness have now become less extraordinary and seem ordinary.
In this stanza, Wordsworth captures the idea that as we age, the innocence and purity of childhood fade, and the world becomes a more commonplace and less magical place. This loss of the transcendent view of the world is a central theme in the poem.
Certainly, here's a line-by-line explanation of the excerpt from William Wordsworth's poem "Intimations of Immortality from Early Childhood Memories" using simple vocabulary:
1. **"There was a time when meadow, grove, and stream,"**
- In the past, there was a time when fields, small forests, and flowing water,
2. **"The earth, and every common sight,"**
- The whole world, including everyday things,
3. **"To me did seem Apparelled in celestial light,"**
- Seemed to be dressed in heavenly or divine light,
4. **"The glory and the freshness of a dream."**
- Radiating with brilliance and the newness one experiences in a dream.
5. **"It is not now as it hath been of yore;—"**
- However, things are not the same as they used to be in the past;
6. **"Turn wheresoe'er I may,"**
- No matter where I look,
7. **"By night or day."**
- Whether it's daytime or nighttime,
8. **"The things which I have seen I now can see no more."**
- I can no longer see the things that I once saw with such wonder and beauty.
In this part of the poem, the speaker is reminiscing about a time in their childhood when everything in nature seemed extraordinarily beautiful and full of wonder. The world appeared to be bathed in a heavenly light, like a dream. However, as the speaker has grown older, this sense of wonder has faded, and the world no longer appears as magnificent as it did in their youth. The speaker reflects on the loss of this enchanting view of the world.
In the first stanza of ‘Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood’ the speaker begins by looking towards the past. He recalls how there “was a time” when things were different. To him, the “meadow, grove, and stream” all seemed “Apparelled” or dressed/covered in “celestial light”. There was something spiritually elevating, and almost religious about the landscape. The “common sights” were not common, they were wondrous. He adds to this that they made him think that he was expecting the “glory and freshness of a dream,” or at least they had that kind of feeling.
In the middle of this stanza, he reminds the reader that everything is not as it was. The world is not so glorious. Things are not as they were in “yore” or the past. He has tried to seek out and find the same emotional experiences he had as a child but has been unable. The thing that he used to see he can “now…see no more”.
Certainly, here's a line-by-line explanation of the excerpt from William Wordsworth's poem:
1. **"The Rainbow comes and goes,"**
- Sometimes we see rainbows in the sky, and then they disappear,
2. **"And lovely is the Rose,"**
- Roses are beautiful flowers,
3. **"The Moon doth with delight Look round her when the heavens are bare,"**
- The moon shines brightly, especially when the sky is clear and devoid of clouds,
4. **"Waters on a starry night Are beautiful and fair;"**
- Bodies of water, like lakes or rivers, can be exceptionally beautiful on clear, starry nights,
5. **"The sunshine is a glorious birth;"**
- Sunlight is a magnificent beginning or creation,
6. **"But yet I know, where'er I go,"**
- However, no matter where I travel,
7. **"That there hath past away a glory from the earth."**
- I am aware that a certain magnificence or beauty has disappeared from the world.
In this part of the poem, the speaker is reflecting on the beauty of nature, including rainbows, roses, the moon, starry nights, and sunshine. While these natural elements are still lovely and magnificent, the speaker senses that something exceptional and glorious has faded or been lost from the world. It's as if there was once an even greater beauty that has now diminished, leaving the speaker with a sense of longing or nostalgia for what has passed.
Explanation
**Title:** "The Ephemeral Beauty of Nature" - Reference and Explanation
In these lines from William Wordsworth's poem, the speaker contemplates the fleeting yet enchanting beauty found in nature. Each element of nature, such as rainbows, roses, the moon, starry nights, and sunshine, is described as lovely and delightful. The rainbow, for instance, appears briefly before disappearing, just like the transient beauty of a rose. The moon's radiance is most pronounced when the sky is clear, and starlit waters on a clear night are described as beautiful and fair. While the sunshine is celebrated as a glorious phenomenon, the speaker acknowledges a sense of loss or change in the world. Despite the enduring beauty of these natural phenomena, the speaker senses that something extraordinary has diminished over time, leaving an indelible mark on the earth and prompting a deeper reflection on the impermanence of beauty in the natural world.
The fourth stanza contains the speaker’s words to the “blessèd creatures” of the earth. As if to console or reassure them, he says that he has “heard the call” they shout to one another and how the whole world and heavens participate in the joy they create. His heart, he adds, is “at your festival”. He’s fully in, ready to participate alongside the lovely life around him. In the sixth line the speaker stutters, as if overcome with that same joy.
In lines seven and eight he curses the possibility of ever feeling sad on a day like this. It is a “sweet May-morning” and the children are laughing and playing in the fields. There is life being born and bringing new joy to the earth.
Certainly, here's an explanation of the lines you provided from William Wordsworth's poem:
Explanation
In these lines from Wordsworth's poem, the speaker is addressing a group of creatures, likely birds, that he observes in nature. He describes these creatures as "blessed" and notes that he has heard the joyful sounds they make to communicate with each other. He also mentions how the heavens seem to join in their celebration, and he feels a deep connection to their happiness. The speaker's heart and head are both touched by the joy he witnesses in these creatures.
However, the speaker's mood takes a somber turn as he reflects on the beauty of the Earth on a sweet May morning, with children gathering fresh flowers in countless valleys. Despite the beauty and joy surrounding him, the speaker acknowledges a sense of inner turmoil. He laments the possibility of feeling sullen on such a lovely day.
But then, he hears something that brings him joy. It's not explicitly mentioned in these lines, but it suggests that some natural sound or sight has lifted his spirits. The speaker's emotional journey in these lines reflects the profound impact that nature can have on human emotions and the contrast between the beauty of the natural world and the inner struggles of the speaker's mind.
I hear, I hear, with joy I hear!
—But there’s a Tree, of many, one,
A single field which I have looked upon,
Both of them speak of something that is gone;
The Pansy at my feet
Doth the same tale repeat:
Whither is fled the visionary gleam?
Where is it now, the glory and the dream?
Explanation
A single field which I have looked upon,
Both of them speak of something that is gone;
The Pansy at my feet
Doth the same tale repeat:
Whither is fled the visionary gleam?
Where is it now, the glory and the dream?
Explanation
Certainly, here's an explanation of the lines you provided from William Wordsworth's poem:
In these lines from Wordsworth's poem, the speaker is contemplating a single field and two specific elements within it: a Pansy flower at his feet. Both the field and the Pansy evoke a sense of nostalgia and loss for something that has disappeared or changed.
The speaker notices that the Pansy, a type of violet-colored flower, seems to convey the same message as the field itself. The repetition of this message suggests that the Pansy symbolizes the broader theme. The message pertains to the disappearance of a "visionary gleam" and the loss of "glory and dream."
The speaker is reflecting on a past experience or perception that once filled him with a sense of wonder and inspiration. This "visionary gleam" and "glory and dream" represent a heightened state of awareness and appreciation for the beauty of the natural world. However, the speaker now feels that this transcendent experience has vanished or become elusive, leaving him with a sense of longing or nostalgia.
In these lines, Wordsworth explores the idea that the beauty and inspiration derived from nature can be fleeting and elusive, leaving the individual to ponder the transitory nature of such experiences.
Explanation line by line
Certainly, here's a line-by-line explanation of the quoted lines from William Wordsworth's poem:
1. "A single field which I have looked upon,"
- The speaker begins by describing a field that they have observed.
2. "Both of them speak of something that is gone;"
- The speaker suggests that both the field and something else within it convey a message of loss or the absence of something.
3. "The Pansy at my feet"
- The speaker mentions a Pansy flower that is growing at their feet.
4. "Doth the same tale repeat:"
- The speaker notes that the Pansy flower conveys the same message or story as the field, emphasizing their shared theme.
5. "Whither is fled the visionary gleam?"
- The speaker poses a question, wondering where a particular "visionary gleam" has disappeared to.
6. "Where is it now, the glory and the dream?"
- The speaker continues their questioning, asking where the "glory" and the "dream" have gone.
In these lines, Wordsworth's speaker reflects on a field and a Pansy flower, both of which seem to symbolize a sense of loss or the absence of something beautiful and transcendent. The repeated theme suggests that the speaker is lamenting the passing of a special experience or perception—referred to as the "visionary gleam," "glory," and "dream." The overall tone conveys a sense of nostalgia and longing for this vanished, ethereal quality of the natural world. The lines highlight the transient nature of profound experiences and the speaker's deep emotional response to their disappearance.
Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,
And cometh from afar:
Not in entire forgetfulness,
And not in utter nakedness,
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:
Heaven lies about us in our infancy!
Shades of the prison-house begin to close
Upon the growing Boy,
But he beholds the light, and whence it flows,
He sees it in his joy;
The Youth, who daily farther from the east
Must travel, still is Nature's Priest,
And by the vision splendid
Is on his way attended;
At length the Man perceives it die away,
And fade into the light of common day.
Explanation
**Title:** "The Journey of Life" - Explanation
1. **Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:** In this opening line, Wordsworth suggests that our entry into the world is like waking from a dream, causing us to forget our previous spiritual existence.
2. **The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,**: Here, the soul is likened to a guiding star, indicating its importance in our earthly journey.
3. **Hath had elsewhere its setting, And cometh from afar:** This line conveys that the soul originates from a distant place before entering the earthly realm.
4. **Not in entire forgetfulness, And not in utter nakedness,**: Wordsworth asserts that we don't completely forget our spiritual origin, nor do we arrive without any connection to it.
5. **But trailing clouds of glory do we come From God, who is our home:** The metaphor of "trailing clouds of glory" implies that remnants of our divine essence accompany us from God, our true origin.
6. **Heaven lies about us in our infancy!**: In infancy, the world appears as a heavenly place, and the speaker emphasizes the spiritual nature of a child's perception.
7. **Shades of the prison-house begin to close Upon the growing Boy, But he beholds the light, and whence it flows, He sees it in his joy;**: As children grow, they become aware of life's limitations, but they still experience moments of joy and wonder.
8. **The Youth, who daily farther from the east Must travel, still is Nature's Priest, And by the vision splendid Is on his way attended;**: The youth retains a connection to nature and the divine, symbolized by "the vision splendid."
9. **At length the Man perceives it die away, And fade into the light of common day.**: As adulthood approaches, the sense of the divine gradually diminishes, and the ordinary aspects of life take precedence.
**Summary:**
In these lines, Wordsworth poetically explores the journey of life, comparing our birth to a state of forgetfulness about our spiritual origin. The soul, described as a "life's Star," comes from a distant place with lingering connections to the divine. During infancy, the world appears heavenly, but as we grow, life's constraints encroach. Despite this, youth retains a connection to nature and the divine, symbolized by "the vision splendid." However, as we reach adulthood, this connection fades, and we become immersed in the everyday world. These lines reflect on the loss of our initial spiritual awareness as we progress through life's stages.
,*Earth fills her lap with pleasures of her own;
Yearnings she hath in her own natural kind,
And, even with something of a Mother's mind,
And no unworthy aim,
The homely Nurse doth all she can
To make her Foster-child, her Inmate Man,
Forget the glories he hath known,
And that imperial palace whence he came.
*Title:** "Nurturing Earth" - Explanation
1. **Earth fills her lap with pleasures of her own:** In this line, Wordsworth personifies the Earth, suggesting that the planet provides its own unique sources of delight and fulfillment.
2. **Yearnings she hath in her own natural kind:** Earth possesses desires or inclinations that are aligned with its natural state. This portrays the Earth as having a sense of purpose or inclination.
3. **And, even with something of a Mother's mind, And no unworthy aim:** The Earth is characterized as having a mindset akin to that of a nurturing mother. It cares for its inhabitants with worthy intentions, implying that it fosters life with care and purpose.
4. **The homely Nurse doth all she can To make her Foster-child, her Inmate Man, Forget the glories he hath known, And that imperial palace whence he came:** This passage metaphorically presents Earth as a "homely Nurse" who does her best to help humanity, her "Foster-child," to forget the glories and grandeur of their spiritual origins ("that imperial palace whence he came"). The idea is that as humans mature and become immersed in the earthly experience, they gradually lose touch with their divine or spiritual origins, much like a child growing up in a nurturing home begins to forget their early childhood experiences.
**Summary:**
Wordsworth portrays Earth as a nurturing entity that provides its own unique pleasures and has a natural inclination or purpose. The Earth is described as having a motherly disposition, caring for humanity with honorable intentions. However, as individuals grow and become immersed in earthly life, they tend to forget their spiritual origins, symbolized as an "imperial palace." This passage reflects on the idea that the Earth nurtures and shapes human experiences, guiding them away from their spiritual beginnings toward a more earthly existence.
Behold the Child among his new-born blisses,
A six years' Darling of a pigmy size!
See, where 'mid work of his own hand he lies,
Fretted by sallies of his mother's kisses,
With light upon him from his father's eyes!
See, at his feet, some little plan or chart,
Some fragment from his dream of human life,
Shaped by himself with newly-learn{e}d art
A wedding or a festival,
A mourning or a funeral;
And this hath now his heart,
And unto this he frames his song:
Then will he fit his tongue
To dialogues of business, love, or strife;
But it will not be long
Ere this be thrown aside,
And with new joy and pride
The little Actor cons another part;
Filling from time to time his "humorous stage"
With all the Persons, down to palsied Age,
That Life brings with her in her equipage;
As if his whole vocation
Were endless imitation.
**Title:** "The Child's Imagination" - Explanation
1. **Behold the Child among his new-born blisses:**
In this line, Wordsworth invites the reader to observe a child in the midst of experiencing the simple joys of early childhood.
2. **A six years' Darling of a pigmy size!:** The child being described is six years old and still quite small in stature. The term "Darling" conveys affection for the child.
3. **See, where 'mid work of his own hand he lies, Fretted by sallies of his mother's kisses, With light upon him from his father's eyes!:** This part paints a vivid picture of the child lying among his own creations or artistic endeavors. He is happily disturbed or playfully teased by his mother's affectionate kisses, while his father's gaze provides him with warmth and encouragement.
4. **See, at his feet, some little plan or chart, Some fragment from his dream of human life, Shaped by himself with newly-learned art:** The child has crafted a small plan or chart, a fragment of his imaginative vision of human life. He has created this with a sense of pride and with skills he's recently acquired.
5. **A wedding or a festival, A mourning or a funeral; And this hath now his heart, And unto this he frames his song:** The child's creation represents various aspects of life, from weddings and festivals to mournings and funerals. He's deeply attached to these creations, and they inspire him to craft songs or stories.
6. **Then will he fit his tongue To dialogues of business, love, or strife; But it will not be long Ere this be thrown aside, And with new joy and pride The little Actor cons another part;** As the child grows, he learns to use his voice to engage in dialogues related to everyday matters, love, or conflict. However, he soon outgrows his current imaginative endeavor, putting it aside to take on new roles or stories.
7. **Filling from time to time his "humorous stage" With all the Persons, down to palsied Age, That Life brings with her in her equipage; As if his whole vocation Were endless imitation:** The child's imaginative play is like a "humorous stage" where he acts out various roles, even those of elderly characters. He immerses himself in the diverse personas that life presents, as if his purpose in life is continuous imitation and exploration.
**Summary:**
Wordsworth beautifully describes a child's imaginative world, where he creates charts and plans that reflect aspects of human life. These creations deeply engage his heart and inspire him to compose songs. As the child grows, he shifts from one imaginative endeavor to another, mimicking different characters and personas as part of his ongoing exploration and imitation of life's diverse experiences. This poem celebrates the boundless creativity and imagination of children.
By mam
In which child copy their parents and everyone who's perform any thing as a doctor as a teacher.
Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie
Thy Soul's immensity;
Thou best Philosopher, who yet dost keep
Thy heritage, thou Eye among the blind,
That, deaf and silent, read'st the eternal deep,
Haunted for ever by the eternal mind,—
Mighty Prophet! Seer blest!
On whom those truths do rest,
Which we are toiling all our lives to find,
In darkness lost, the darkness of the grave;
Thou, over whom thy Immortality
Broods like the Day, a Master o'er a Slave,
A Presence which is not to be put by;
Thou little Child, yet glorious in the might
Of heaven-born freedom on thy being's height,
Why with such earnest pains dost thou provoke
The years to bring the inevitable yoke,
Thus blindly with thy blessedness at strife?
Full soon thy Soul shall have her earthly freight,
And custom lie upon thee with a weight,
Heavy as frost, and deep almost as life!
Explanation
**Title:** "The Paradox of Childhood and Adulthood" - Explanation
1. **Thou, whose exterior semblance doth belie Thy Soul's immensity:** In this line, Wordsworth addresses a child, acknowledging that the child's outward appearance conceals the vastness and depth of their inner soul.
2. **Thou best Philosopher, who yet dost keep Thy heritage, thou Eye among the blind, That, deaf and silent, read'st the eternal deep, Haunted forever by the eternal mind,— Mighty Prophet! Seer blest! On whom those truths do rest, Which we are toiling all our lives to find:** Wordsworth characterizes the child as the "best Philosopher" who, despite their young age, possesses wisdom and insights that adults strive to attain throughout their lives. The child is depicted as having a profound connection with the eternal and divine, acting as a "Mighty Prophet" and a "Seer blest." The child effortlessly holds truths that adults struggle to discover.
3. **In darkness lost, the darkness of the grave; Thou, over whom thy Immortality Broods like the Day, a Master o'er a Slave, A Presence which is not to be put by; Thou little Child, yet glorious in the might Of heaven-born freedom on thy being's height:** Here, Wordsworth highlights the child's contrast with adults who often feel lost in the darkness of life and the uncertainty of death ("the darkness of the grave"). The child, in contrast, is described as being under the "Presence" of their own immortality, which is as pervasive as daylight and unyielding like a master over a servant. The child embodies the "heaven-born freedom" of their existence.
4. **Why with such earnest pains dost thou provoke The years to bring the inevitable yoke, Thus blindly with thy blessedness at strife? Full soon thy Soul shall have her earthly freight, And custom lie upon thee with a weight, Heavy as frost, and deep almost as life:** The poem concludes with Wordsworth questioning why the child seems determined to hasten the arrival of adulthood and its associated burdens ("the inevitable yoke"). The child's eagerness to grow up is seen as a struggle with their own innate blessedness. Wordsworth predicts that soon, the child will bear the "earthly freight" of adulthood, with customs and societal norms weighing upon them heavily, akin to the profound impact of frost and the depth of life's experiences.
*
Imagine that childhood is like a playground. It is a place where children can be free to explore and play. There are no rules or expectations. Adults, on the other hand, are like people who have to work in an office. They have to follow rules and meet expectations.Summary:
In these lines, Wordsworth explores the paradox of childhood and adulthood. The child, despite their tender age, possesses profound wisdom and a connection with the eternal, embodying a sense of freedom and immortality. However, the child's eagerness to grow up and embrace the inevitable responsibilities of adulthood is seen as a struggle with their own blessedness. The poem poignantly reflects on the fleeting nature of childhood and the encroachment of societal norms and expectations as one grows older.
**Children are wise and free, but as they grow up, they become weighed down by the rules and expectations of adults.**
Wordsworth is saying that children have a special way of seeing the world. They are curious and open-minded, and they see things with fresh eyes. Adults, on the other hand, have been taught to follow certain rules and behave in certain ways. This can sometimes make them lose their sense of wonder and freedom.
Wordsworth is encouraging children to cherish their childhood and to not be too quick to grow up. He is reminding them that they are special and that they have a unique perspective on the world.
- Here is a simple analogy that a child might understand:
Wordsworth is saying that it is important for children to enjoy their playground before they have to grow up and go to work in the office.
Stanza
O joy! that in our embers
Is something that doth live,
That Nature yet remembers
What was so fugitive!
The thought of our past years in me doth breed
Perpetual benediction: not indeed
For that which is most worthy to be blest;
Delight and liberty, the simple creed
Of Childhood, whether busy or at rest,
With new-fledged hope still fluttering in his breast:—
Not for these I raise
The song of thanks and praise
But for those obstinate questionings
Of sense and outward things,
Fallings from us, vanishings;
Blank misgivings of a Creature
Moving about in worlds not realised,
High instincts before which our mortal Nature
Did tremble like a guilty thing surprised:
But for those first affections,
Those shadowy recollections,
Which, be they what they may
Are yet the fountain-light of all our day,
Are yet a master-light of all our seeing;
Explanation .
Title:"The Eternal Impact of Childhood" - Explanation
1. **O joy! that in our embers Is something that doth live, That Nature yet remembers What was so fugitive!** In these opening lines, Wordsworth expresses his joy in discovering that even in the fading embers of the past, there exists something that continues to exist. He believes that nature retains memories of what has been fleeting in human experience.
2. **The thought of our past years in me doth breed Perpetual benediction: not indeed For that which is most worthy to be blest; Delight and liberty, the simple creed Of Childhood, whether busy or at rest, With new-fledged hope still fluttering in his breast:** Wordsworth reflects on how the memories of their past years fill him with an enduring sense of blessing. It's not the immediate joys and freedom of childhood that he seeks to bless but rather the persistent questions about the world, the experiences and sensations that have fallen away, and the sense of unease ("blank misgivings") that accompany one's existence.
3. **Not for these I raise The song of thanks and praise But for those obstinate questionings Of sense and outward things, Fallings from us, vanishings; Blank misgivings of a Creature Moving about in worlds not realised, High instincts before which our mortal Nature Did tremble like a guilty thing surprised:** Here, Wordsworth clarifies that he doesn't offer thanks and praise for the simple and carefree aspects of childhood. Instead, he celebrates the challenging and persistent questions children ask about the world around them, the sense of wonder and curiosity that fades with age, and the moments of uncertainty and fear as one navigates life.
4. **But for those first affections, Those shadowy recollections, Which, be they what they may Are yet the fountain-light of all our day, Are yet a master-light of all our seeing; Uphold us, cherish, and have power to make Our noisy years seem moments in the being Of the eternal Silence: truths that wake, To perish never; Which neither listlessness, nor mad endeavour, Nor Man nor Boy, Nor all that is at enmity with joy, Can utterly abolish or destroy!**
Wordsworth now explains that he raises this song of thanks and praise for the "first affections" and "shadowy recollections" of childhood, which are the source of all our experiences and perspectives. These memories, however vague, serve as a guiding light throughout life, providing sustenance and the ability to transform our tumultuous and noisy years into fleeting moments within the vastness of eternal silence. These memories and truths are indestructible, incapable of being wiped out by apathy, excessive effort, or the adversities of life.
5. **Hence in a season of calm weather Though inland far we be, Our Souls have sight of that immortal sea Which brought us hither, Can in a moment travel thither, And see the Children sport upon the shore, And hear the mighty waters rolling evermore.**
Wordsworth concludes by noting that even in the most tranquil moments, though far from the sea, our souls can glimpse the vast and immortal sea of childhood memories that initially shaped us. In an instant, we can mentally travel to that place, witnessing children playing on the shore and hearing the eternal and ever-rolling waters, signifying the timelessness of these memories and their enduring impact on our lives.
**Summary:**
Then sing, ye Birds, sing, sing a joyous song!In this poem, Wordsworth celebrates the profound impact of childhood memories on the human experience. He expresses joy in the discovery that these memories, even when faded, continue to have significance. He values not just the simple joys of childhood but also the persistent questions, uncertainties, and high ideals that children hold. These "first affections" and "shadowy recollections" remain as guiding lights throughout life, transforming the noisy and fleeting years into moments within the eternal silence. The memories of childhood serve as a connection to a timeless and ageless sea of human experience, bridging the gap between past and present.
Stanza
And let the young Lambs bound
As to the tabor's sound!
We in thought will join your throng,
Ye that pipe and ye that play,
Ye that through your hearts to-day
Feel the gladness of the May!
What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now for ever taken from my sight,
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower;
mam words
throng means--- crowd
may months
splendour--- huge
Explanation
**Title:** "Finding Joy in Nature" - Explanation
In these lines from Wordsworth's poem, he encourages the birds to sing joyously and the young lambs to bound about as if they were dancing to the beat of a drum (tabor). While these natural elements express their joy through music and play, the speaker and the readers will mentally join their festivities. The birds and lambs represent the vibrant life and happiness of May.
However, the mood shifts as the speaker acknowledges a sense of loss. The radiance and splendor that once filled his sight have faded away, likely referring to the loss of childhood's boundless wonder and joy. Despite this, the speaker reflects on the enduring beauty of nature, even if it's seen differently through the eyes of an adult. The reference to "splendour in the grass" and "glory in the flower" suggests that the speaker still finds beauty and significance in the natural world, even though it has evolved with his changing perspective.
The poem conveys a message about the transformative power of nature and memory, how they can evoke feelings of joy and nostalgia, and how they remain integral to the human experience.
Explanation line by line
**Line 1:** The speaker passionately urges the birds to sing with great enthusiasm.
**Line 2:** They encourage the young lambs to jump and frolic around.
**Line 3:** This line implies that the lambs are so excited that they move in harmony with the beat of a drum called a "tabor." It's as if the rhythm of their movements is synchronized with the drum's sound.
**Line 4:** The speaker suggests that although they can't physically join in the celebration, they will participate in spirit through their thoughts and imagination.
**Lines 5-6:** Here, the speaker acknowledges the people who are playing musical instruments (pipe and play) and those who are experiencing the happiness of May in their hearts.
**Lines 7-8:** The speaker shifts the tone, acknowledging that despite the joyful celebration, the radiant beauty that once existed (like bright sunshine on the grass and flowers) has been permanently lost to them.
**Lines 9-12:** In these lines, the speaker reflects on the impossibility of recovering the past. The once-bright moments of splendor and glory can never be brought back or relived.
In summary, these lines capture a contrast between the celebration of nature's vitality and the speaker's sense of irretrievable loss. The speaker encourages the joyful activities of birds and lambs while recognizing the fleeting nature of past beauty.
Stanza
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind;
In the primal sympathy
Which having been must ever be;
In the soothing thoughts that spring
Out of human suffering;
In the faith that looks through death,
In years that bring the philosophic mind.
And O, ye Fountains, Meadows, Hills, and Groves,
Forebode(alarm) not any severing ( cut off)of our loves!
Yet in my heart of hearts I feel your might;
I only have relinquished ( regret ) one delight
To live beneath your more habitual sway.(move)
I love the Brooks ( streams ) which down their channels fret,( trouble )
Even more than when I tripped ( hilna) lightly as they;
The innocent brightness of a new-born Day
Is lovely yet;
Explanation
Of course, let's analyze it line by line:
**Line 1:** Instead of succumbing to grief, we will search for solace and strength.
**Line 2:** We will find strength in what remains, not what we've lost.
**Lines 3-4:** There's a primal, fundamental connection that once existed and will always exist.
**Lines 5-6:** Comforting thoughts can arise from human suffering.
**Line 7:** There's faith that extends beyond death, a belief in something enduring.
**Line 8:** As years go by, a philosophical perspective on life develops.
**Lines 9-11:** The speaker reassures nature, represented by fountains, meadows, hills, and groves, that their love remains unchanged.
**Lines 12-13:** Although the speaker has given up some pleasures to live harmoniously with nature, they still love the brooks, perhaps even more.
My emotions like this fall like brooks streams water fall
**Lines 14-15:** The pure and innocent brightness of a new day continues to be beautiful and captivating.
In essence, these lines emphasize finding strength, solace, and enduring connections in life. Nature remains a profound source of inspiration and comfort, even as one matures.
![](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://literatureenotes.blogspot.com/2024/07/the-child-is-father-of-man-from.html&media=https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX9PFUDWqp1knWSyL3R8ozip0h2mSn3LXezEQ0B_QND42chbllqtSOfbtIz9HJ8vFj13YwOubzm_fZDEabgm9o1Ug_mU6D44hPPPKJLSDVaaaJ-9X6fy1cIFuxqGtUEabxFm6k1HYe2JIQmORohWKT51OwqYmRbA3sEUTmwbFQzfY_exYCQIiTzi4KASU/w213-h320/Simple%20Blog%20Title%20Pinterest%20Pin_20240719_153610_0000.png&description=The child is father of the man" from Wordsworth's poem "My Heart Leaps Up){kind=link}
0 Comments