The Prelude

• Who is the author of "The Prelude"?

  William Wordsworth
• Where was Wordsworth born?

  Lake District
• What are the main themes of "The Prelude"?

  • Power of nature
  • Man vs nature
  • Selfish nature of complex man
• Who was Wordsworth's close friend mentioned in the context?

  Samuel Taylor Coleridge
• What does the theme "man vs nature" signify in Wordsworth's work?

  It signifies the struggle and relationship between humans and the natural world
• How does Wordsworth view the control of nature by man?

  He believes that no matter how much man tries, nature ultimately prevails
• What historical event influenced Wordsworth's views?

  French Revolution
• What is the message conveyed about man's relationship with nature?

  Man tries to take advantage of nature but ultimately faces its power
• What does the term "sublime" refer to in the context of nature?

  Feelings experienced when witnessing amazing landscapes
• What does the speaker experience when reaching the mountain?

  Fear and regret
• What literary techniques does Wordsworth use to convey his thoughts?

  Regular rhythm, caesura, and enjambment
• What form of verse is used in "The Prelude"?

  Blank verse and iambic pentameter
• What are the key quotes from "The Prelude" and their significance?

  1. "Small circles glittering idly on the moon" - Light imagery, calm before the storm.
  2. "Justily I dipped my oars/heaving through water" - Control and confidence juxtaposed with nature's power.
  3. "a huge peak, black and huge/upreared its head" - Nature's dominance and speaker's shock.
  4. "with purpose of its own, and measured motion like a living thing" - Nature's control over the speaker.
  5. "no colours of green fields but huge and mighty forms" - Juxtaposition of pastoral beauty with unsettling imagery.
• How does the imagery of "small circles glittering idly on the moon" contribute to the poem's themes?

  It creates a sense of calm before the impending chaos of nature
• What does the phrase "confidence turns to fear" indicate about the speaker's journey?

  It shows the shift from human arrogance to the realization of nature's power
• What does the metaphor "huge and mighty forms/were a trouble to my dreams" suggest about the speaker's mental state?

  It indicates that the speaker is haunted by negative thoughts and regrets
• How does Wordsworth's use of enjambment affect the poem's pacing and tone?

  It creates a sense of chaos and urgency in the speaker's thoughts
• What realization does the speaker come to regarding his own mortality?

  He questions his own mortality and realizes his mistake in trying to control nature