prelude- context/structure/content

• context:

  • published in 1850
  • extract from a series of 14 poetry books
  • autobiographical poem
  • memories of his childhood
  • romantic poet
  • orphaned at 13
• content:

  • describing skating on a frozen river, just as night is falling
  • captures his fear of adulthood and weakness of humankind vs. nature at a time of the industrial rev.
• structure:

  • blank verse
  • could reflect the light, carefree attitude of the children who didn't follow the rules
  • 1 long stanza/ enjambment could represent desire to keep skating or desire to stay a child