the prelude

• 'it was an act of stealth and troubled pleasure'

  • conotates sneakiness and slyness
  • moraly wrong
  • selfish
  • no thoughts of consequences
• 'the grim shape towered up between me and the stars'

  • personification of the mountains implies that nature is dangerous and uncontrolable
  • mans inability to escape natures power and influence
  • Worldworths confidence has disapeared and he nolonger has power
• 'there hung a darkness'

  • juxtaposition
  • clam start and harsh ending symbolises the cruel extreams of nature
  • represents Worldworths change to a darker and melancholy mood at the end of his journey
• through the meadows homeward went, in grave and serious mood'

  • juxtaposition
  • deadly mood
  • peaceful mood
• 'troubled pleasure'

  • arrogance
  • worried about getting caught
  • feels entitled to enjoy it
• Context:

  • romantic poet
  • intrested in the power of nature and its beauty
  • troubled relationship with his family
  • nature was an escape for him
• Theme:

  • power of nature
  • memory
  • fear
  • pride
  • individual experience
• Structure:

  • 3 main sections
  • 1st light tone and care free
  • 2nd distinct change mountain apperas darker tone and more fearfull
  • 3rd narrator reflects on how the experience has changed him