Extract from, The Prelude

• AO3:

  • Part of a much longer
  • poe in 'the growth of a poet's mind' - 'the chuld is father of the man': events in childhood shapes us as adults.
  • An example of poetry of the Romantic Movement - It's a revelation, an epiphany, an example of what Wordsworth called 'spots of time'.
  • The incident took place on Ullswater, in the Lake District where Wordsworth grew up - 'The Boat Stealing Incident'.
• Overview:

  A poem written in a controversial style, 'the real language of men' in which the speaker confronts the difference between the human and the non-human world and learns.
• "Troubled pleasure".

  • Oxymoron

  Contains the paradox the child feels: they are aware they have broken a social taboo, yet feel pleasure, and so are 'troubled'.
• "Straight I unloosed her chain" , "Lustily I dipped my oars into the silent lake".

  • Effective language
  • Juxtaposition

  Reflects the speaker's confidence and possible arrogance and excitement. This juxtaposes with the language later in the poem when the power of nature is realised.
• "Struck and struck again" , "Trembling oars",

  • Effective language
  • Juxtaposition

  Reflects the speaker's fear and panic in the wake of the huge mountain he encounters. This juxtaposes with language earlier in the poem before the power of nature is realised.
• Aspects of Power and Conflict:

  • Conflict between human and non-human worlds
  • Human beings realise the limitations of their power.
  • The adult must acknowledge their debt to their childhood.
• Poems that can be linked:

  • Storm on the Island
  • The Emigree
  • Tissue
  • Ozymandias