In
class on Monday, we learned about Romantic literature and the key components to
it. The first component of the literature is an emphasis on nature, the second
component is the individual championed above the community, and the third is
the birth of the feminist movement. All of these components can be seen within
the poem, “Lines Composed Above Tintern Abbey”, written by William Wordsworth.
The
emphasis on nature is prevalent in the first stanza as well as being the theme
of the entire poem. In the first stanza, Wordsworth describes the nature scene
by stating, “Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs, that on a wild secluded
scene impress…and connect the landscape with the quiet of the sky” (p.132,
lines 5-8). He is telling the beauty of nature and why this landscape matters
so much to him. He has fond memories of this landscape from the past and hopes
it helps his sister like it has helped him in times of trouble.
The
individual that Wordsworth champions above society is the speaker’s
sister/friend, Dorothy. He calls her out specifically in hopes that she will
love and use the landscape to help her. “My dear, dear sister” and this prayer
I make…let the moon shine on thee in thy solitary walk…” (p. 134, lines 121,
134-135). The speaker also describes his memories as being great because she
was in them with him. Wordsworth only mentions two characters in the story, the
speaker and his sister. And the emphasis is put on his sister as being the most
important character above all others.
The
birth of the feminist movement is obvious in this poem by the use of his sister,
Dorothy. He could have used any other male character to be the person in which
the speaker is talking about. And the fact that he wants her protected, whether
he is there or not, shows the worth that is put in a woman figure in the poem.
The speaker states, “If I should be where I no more can hear thy voice…nor wilt
though then forget…these steep woods and lofty cliffs” (p. 135, lines 147-148, 155,
157). He wants her to use the landscape
as a vice to help her in her troubles, ultimately so she is successful and can
be strong for herself, regardless if a man is there to help her or not.
Questions:
Why
is this poem so short? It seems like it could have been a longer story and not
3 pages long.
Why
does he seem to love his sister, Dorothy, as more than a sister? It seems like
a true love and not a brotherly love.
This is an extremely well-written blog! It was very easy to follow your point, especially with the quotes you pulled from the poem. As to the length of the poem, I think it's as short as it is merely because Wordsworth had made his point. If he had continued, it may have been seen as overwhelming or belaboring his point.
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Katie (I agree with you Jessica). I love that you pulled Dorothy into the discussion, although I would question that this is feminist. Certainly Wordsworth adores her and wants to protect her, but couldn't that same protective instinct prevent her from maturing and developing into a capable human being. Are women simply objects to be protected and sheltered from reality? I am not sure Wordsworth is even implying this but it is worth pushing your reading farther. What do you think?
ReplyDeleteI can see both points within this text. He wants to protect her because he cares for her and the emphasis of protection and love is put on her, but at the same time it could show that the speaker believes that Dorothy NEEDS to be protected because she couldn't survive on her own. But I guess we will never quite know what exactly his intentions were within this piece.
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