the prelude

• "and in the frosty season where the sun was set"

  “And in the frosty season”:

  • stablishes the time of year as winter
  • The adjective “frosty” not only indicates cold weather but also suggests a certain harshness or challenge
  • could be a metaphor for the trials or difficulties one might face in life.

  “where the sun was set”:

  • taking place in the evening, after sunset.
  • The setting sun could symbolize the end of a day or phase of life
  • the impending darkness could represent uncertainty or the unknown.
• "to me it was a time of rapture"


  'rapture'

  • suggests a transcendental experience, as if the speaker, in his interaction with nature, is transported to a state of bliss that transcends ordinary happiness.
  • reflects the Romantic ideal of finding sublime or transcendent experiences in nature
  • implies an intense joy or pleasure, a sense of ecstasy, or even a spiritual experience
• "the orange sky of evening died away"


  'orange sky'

  • paints a vivid picture of a sunset. The colour orange is often associated with warmth, tranquillity, and beauty
  • It suggests a serene and picturesque setting, typical of the Romantic appreciation for natural beauty.

  'died away'

  • suggests the gradual fading of light as the sun sets and night falls.
  • It could also symbolize the end of the day’s activities and the onset of quiet and rest.
• "the orange sky died away"

  • serves not only as a conclusion to the scene but also as a transition to the next stage of the speaker’s life journey.
  • encapsulates the transience of time, the inevitability of change, and the bittersweet nature of growing up.
  • poignant reminder of the fleeting nature of childhood and the passage of time.
• "into the tumult sent alien sounds of melancholy"

  'Melancholy'

  • refers to a feeling of pensive sadness, often with no obvious cause.
  • suggests that the unfamiliar sound carries with it a sense of sadness or longing.
  • It could be interpreted as a foreshadowing of the loss of innocence and the carefree joy of childhood.
• heeded not

  Choosing to ignore or disregard something
• summons


  A call or signal that demands someone's presence
• It's a small act of rebellion that highlights the intensity of his engagement with the present moment and the natural world around him
• This indicates a sense of independence or defiance on the part of the speaker
• It reveals the speaker's desire to remain in the moment, enjoying the freedom and joy of his childhood games
• It also suggests a resistance to authority or rules, a common theme in Romantic literature, which often celebrates individualism, freedom, and a connection with nature