Wordsworth's "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey" is the epitome of romantic literature in that his work places a heavy emphasis on nature and humanity's connection to it. Wordsworth relates his life experience of growing up to his experiences with nature. In lines 73-74, Wordsworth compares his boyhood days to that of "animal movements", when he did things on a baser level of instinct rather than intellectual reasoning. Then as Wordsworth passes into adolescence, he is "like a roe" (line 67) which makes him "more like a man" (line 70). As one approaching manhood, Wordsworth dreads love and runs from it. Instead, he is completely enamored with the surrounding vista. Instead of the passion of love, the natural sounds and sights "haunted me [Wordsworth] like a passion." Wordsworth describes the final stage, maturing to manhood, as a sad event, describing it as "that time is past, and all its aching joys are now no more, and all its dizzy raptures" (lines 83-85). He goes on to explain that he has gone from a "thoughtless youth" to the "joy of elevated thoughts." This series of transformations shows how a young boy, carefree and naive, enjoys the pureness of nature, yet later learns, no doubt from the influence of humanity, that the mind of a man is not merely filled with majestic sights, but with compelling thoughts and intelligence. As a romantic author, it is evident that Wordsworth wanted to emphasize the influence of nature upon the person. In the scenario given to us by Wordsworth, nature is an imperative part of personal development. It is an interesting concept to consider in present time. We often do not notice nature and its wonders in our day-to-day life. It is not until we leave that typically hectic life that we notice the nature that has always surrounded us. It is my opinion that Wordsworth was attempting to point out this human flaw. Nature can't be ignored. Nature is a part of our lives. Wordsworth wanting us to not only know and recognize that, but to appreciate it for the marvel that is.
Why does Wordsworth mention his sister Dorothy? Is there a significance to that?
Excellent analysis Jessica. I could tell from discussion that you really got into this poem. I know that we didn't get a lot of time to discuss Dorothy, but she is surely significant. Perhaps she is a direct reference to his past, the innocence that he can't quite recapture. Maybe she is the hope for the future, or an image of humanity within nature. I don't think there is a wrong interpretation... What do you think?
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