the prelude

• What is the title of the poem discussed in the study material?

  The Prelude
• How many books comprise the epic poem The Prelude?

  Fourteen books
• From which book of The Prelude is the extract taken?

  Introduction and school-time
• What childhood memory does Wordsworth explore in The Prelude?

  Stealing a boat and rowing on a lake
• What realization does Wordsworth have about the mountain during his experience?

  It is much bigger than he thought
• How does the experience of rowing affect Wordsworth's view of nature?

  It changes how he sees nature
• What are the key events in the synopsis of The Prelude?

  • Steals a boat and rows out
  • Watches ripples while rowing
  • Sees the mountain grow larger
  • Realizes nature's immensity
  • Rows back to shore in fear
  • Haunted by the experience
  • Changes view of nature and humanity
• When was William Wordsworth born?

  1770
• Where was Wordsworth born?

  Cumberland in the Lake District
• What troubled Wordsworth's childhood?

  His relationship with his father and relatives
• What significant event happened to Wordsworth during his adolescence?

  Both his parents died
• How did Wordsworth's childhood experiences influence his affection for the Lake District?

  He spent time outside to escape problems
• What literary movement is Wordsworth associated with?

  Romanticism
• What did romantic poets like Wordsworth resist?

  Growing industrialism
• What was the aim of the romantic poets regarding society?

  To bring democracy and equality
• What was Wordsworth's intended three-part autobiographical epic called?

  The Recluse
• What does The Prelude explore in relation to nature?

  Wordsworth's moral and spiritual development
• What are the main themes of the Romantic Movement?

  • Rejection of rationalism
  • Emphasis on emotion and subjectivity
  • Appreciation of nature's beauty
  • Critique of industrialization
  • Advocacy for social reform
• What is the main conflict explored in The Prelude?

  Man vs nature
• How is the poem The Prelude structured in terms of rhythm?

  Written in iambic pentameter
• What does the setting of the poem symbolize?

  A spiritual journey of realization
• How does Wordsworth personify nature in The Prelude?

  By referring to nature as "her"
• What does the phrase "troubled pleasure" suggest about Wordsworth's feelings?

  He feels conflicted about his actions
• What does the use of the word "heaving" imply about the speaker's effort?

  It connotes intense physical effort
• How does the mountain's appearance affect the speaker?

  It instills fear and anxiety
• What does the phrase "huge and mighty forms" suggest about nature's impact on the speaker?

  It reflects his insignificance before nature
• What does the title "The Prelude" signify in relation to the poem?

  It serves as an introduction to a larger work
• How does Wordsworth blur the lines between past and present in The Prelude?

  By using present participles for description
• What is the structure of The Prelude as a poem?

  It is a single stanza
• How does the poem's structure contribute to its themes?

  It emphasizes overwhelming experiences
• What are the characteristics of an epic poem?

  • Lengthy narrative poem
  • Focus on a heroic protagonist
  • Incites awe in the reader
  • Often involves legendary events
• How does Wordsworth's portrayal of nature differ from traditional heroic narratives?

  • Focuses on personal growth
  • Nature as a powerful force
  • Emphasizes humility over heroism
• What is the narrative often focused on in The Prelude?

  The heroism of the central character
• How can The Prelude be considered an epic biography poem?

  It is autobiographical with Wordsworth as the hero
• Who else could be considered the "hero" in The Prelude besides Wordsworth?

  Nature personified
• What do some critics claim about the poem's focus on nature?

  It makes the poem seem underwhelming compared to epics
• What does Wordsworth's adventure symbolize in The Prelude?

  His spiritual growth and journey to becoming a poet
• How is the stanza structure of The Prelude significant?

  It emphasizes the overwhelming power of nature
• What effect does the lack of breaks or pauses in the stanza have on the reader?

  It causes the reader to feel breathless
• How does the reader empathize with the speaker's sense of awe?

  By facing a huge piece of text without breaks