The Prelude
Structure
Meaning
Imagery
Language Techniques
Effect
Context
'act of stealth'- doing something wrong quietly and quickly.
Speaker is focused on a goal- as he fixes he view 'upon the summit of a craggy ridge'.
'huge peak' described as a monstor- speaker is disturbed as he is 'grave and serious'
Theme of nature- presented as beutiful yet more powerful and destructive than man. nature has power to make us question our morality
Theme of temptation- tempted to steal the boat and doesn't think twice. The speaker enjoys the ride on the boat. However, to give into temptation is wrong.and has consequences as he was haunted by nature.
'one summer evening led by her'- depicts an image of a perfect summer evening. The personification suggets that the speaker is influenced by nature and its a force that takes him on adventures. This presents nature as 'seductive'
'Small circles glittering idly in the moon until they melted all into one track of sparkling light'- beauty of nature. Light presented as 'melting' is seen as very gentle and peaceful. This is feminine- nature is seductive and this links to Eve seducing Adam where she offers him the knowledge of good and evil.
'rows with an unswerving line'- which shows the speaker's utter determination to reach his destination. So far the description of nature describes this as a positive journey. Yet, later on this is contradicted by the image of the 'huge peak' which acts as a barrier between the speaker and his goal.
'Elfin pinnace'- Boat is personified as being mischievous.
repetition of 'huge' to describe the peak shows that the speaker is overwhelmed by the size and scale. The speaker is stammering and stattering with the realisation of how powerful nature is.
'growing in stature the grim shape'- present participle suggets that the speaker cannot imagine what's happening. 'grim' presents it as a forbidding and an uninviting site. Nature has retracted its' gifts
Contrast of the beauty of nature and fear. From adjectives like 'sparklin', 'glittering' etc to 'black', 'grim'. Change in language reflects the change in perspective of the speaker. His mindset changes from excitement and adventure to fear and guilt.
It is an epic poem- long narrative with serious subject matter and tell of heroic deeds,significant events and exploration with the mention of mythical figures such as 'elfin pinnace'.
Eventhough the cations described are ordinary. He gives them an epic quality.
The events to the speaker had an impact hence they were significant occurences.
Blank verse usually written in iambic pentameter
It reflects natural speech patterns which aids the conversational tone.
Also echoes the sound of a heart beat which shows excitement.
Oxymoron 'troubled pleasure'- demonstrates the two emotional states of the speaker. Anxious about stealing the boat but excited about the possibilities it would bring.
simile 'heaving through the water like a swan'- Sets a fairytale-like scenario but it is foreshadowing as 'swans' can be dangerous creatures as they can be aggressive in defence of their nests.
assonance highlighted in 'small circles glittering idly in the moon'- It is soothing and calming. Hence, reflects the speaker's gentle progress through the water.
Sibilance highlighted between lines 24 and 30- from 'I struck and struck again' onwards, creates a sinister hissing sound. Emphasises the perceived threat of the peak.
Personification- voluntary power instinct.
The peak could symbolise the speaker's guilt. Hence we can learn morality from nature
Teaches a moral lesson of not giving into temptation and sin. And makes us aware of the guilty conscience.
Wordsworth encourages us to consider the beauty and power of nature.
Wordworth was a Romantic poet
The poet uses memories of childhood and places visited to express personal journeys and search for understanding.
Wordsworth was born in Cumbria and this influenced his writing as he was surrounded by nature.
Speaker realises how powerful nature is.
Poem was published by his wife after death-it was an autobiographical poem.
Romantic pantheism- It is the view that everything is part of an all-encompassing, immanent God. All forms of reality (nature) may then be considered either modes of that Being, or identical with it.
The Lord's Prayer states 'and leads us into temptation'.
Can be viewed as nature as omnipotent hence there's no need for a God.
Enjambment- implies the overflow of emotions.