Extract from, The Prelude

• Summary-

  WW steals a boat

  rows on lake and sees massive mountain

  gets scared of nature

  realises his futility/fragility

  goes home has PTSD and crisis
• What is an Epic poem?


  A poem that tells a story- It is also biographical this case
• What is Volta?


  A turning point in a Epic Poem
• What is significance of From behind that craggy steep till then...?


  It is a volta, the rest of the poem is grim and dark
• William Wordsworth was a romantic poet
• The structure is Iambic pentameter, which is a type of poetry that uses five beats per line.
• "Led by her"
• What is the significance of "(Led by her)"?

  Personifying nature as a woman- female tasks as nurturing maintaining and sustenance - Shows power of nature as nature nurtures an entire planet
• "Act of Stealth"
• "Small circles glittering idly"
• "HUge peak, balck and huge"
• "There hung a darkness call it solitude"
• "Proud of his skill to reach a chosen point"
• What is significance of "Proud of his skill"?


  Shows pride in humans, but is later the downfall as he is futile against nature, He thinks he controls where he is going but 10 seconds ago was "Led by her"
• "With an unswerving line"
• What does Wordsworth's description of stealing the boat suggest about his intentions?


  It suggests an attempt to romanticize his actions to defend them.
• How does the use of the pronoun "her" in reference to nature affect the speaker's relationship with it?


  It suggests he views himself as equal to nature, leading to his downfall.
• What does the phrase "troubled pleasure" imply about the speaker's feelings?


  It indicates a mix of enjoyment and anxiety about his actions.
• What does the imagery of "small circles glittering idly in the moon" convey?


  It conveys a sense of tranquility before the speaker's realization of nature's power.
• What does the mountain's appearance symbolize in the poem?


  It symbolizes nature's overwhelming power and the speaker's insignificance.
• What does the phrase "unknown modes of being" suggest about the speaker's transformation?


  It suggests he is grappling with new, profound realizations about existence.
• What does the phrase "call it solitude or blank desertion" imply about the speaker's feelings?


  It implies a deep sense of isolation and abandonment after his experience.
• What does the speaker's realization of his own ignorance signify?

  It signifies a newfound awareness of nature's true power.
• What does the cyclical structure of the poem emphasize?


  It emphasizes the internal and psychological change of the speaker.
• How does the use of enjambment affect the poem's flow?


  It creates a sense of a lack of control and a stream of consciousness.
• What does the loss of eloquence in the speaker's language signify?


  It signifies his overwhelming experience and inability to articulate his feelings.
• What does the repetition of the word "huge" indicate about the speaker's perception of the mountain?


  It indicates his shock and inability to fully describe its magnitude.
• How does Wordsworth's use of first-person narration affect the poem?


  • It emphasizes the autobiographical nature of the poem.
  • Reveals personal details of Wordsworth's life.
  • Creates a strong connection between the speaker and the reader.
• How does the stanza structure contribute to the poem's themes?


  • Single stanza emphasizes nature's overwhelming power.
  • No breaks create a breathless feeling for the reader.
  • Reflects Wordsworth's own sense of being overwhelmed by nature.
• What is the role of parallelism in the poem?


  • Contrasts the speaker's state before and after the revelation of nature's power.
  • Highlights the catalyst for the speaker's development.
• What are examples of poetic and descriptive language used at the start of the poem?

  “elfin pinnace” and “small circles glittering idly”.
• What does the parenthesis around “(led by her)” suggest about the speaker's awareness?


  It implies he was unaware of this control until his moment of revelation.
• What semantic fields does the poet employ in the poem?


  Semantic fields of nature, power, and pride.
• How does Wordsworth romanticize his memory of the event?


  He transforms his “little boat” into an “elfin pinnace,” suggesting a significant journey.
• What was the romantic movement a reaction to?


  It was a reaction to the enlightenment period's focus on objective science and rationality.
• How does the conflict with nature differ in “Storm On The Island” and “The Prelude”?


  In “Storm On The Island,” it is physical, while in “The Prelude,” it is psychological.