preview

Theme Of Tintern Abbey By William Wordsworth

Decent Essays

Upon the very first reading of William Wordsworth’s ‘Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, on Revisiting The Banks of The Wye During a Tour, 13th July 1798’, one comes across the theme of memory and Wordsworth’s love for nature ( themes frequently explored by Wordsworth in several of his poems). However, both these themes work in an inter-connected and intertwined manner in the said poem.
The very first line itself sets a nostalgic mood to the poem. It depicts Wordsworth’s contemplation and reflection of the past.

“Five years have past; five summers, with the length of five long winters! And again I hear….” (1-2)

The poem starts with Wordsworth’s recollection of the time that has elapsed since his last visit to Tintern Abbey. …show more content…

This helps create a sense of nostalgia and reminiscence. There is a vivid explanation of the poet’s surroundings. He talks of the mountains, springs and the calmness that this nature brings to him. It is the memory of this nature that helped Wordsworth bring joy and happiness into his city life. This memory rescued him in times of despair for whenever he found himself in such a state, he thought back on the time he spent upon the bank of the river Wye. This memory of nature is vested in his very heart, soul and blood. The natural scenery puts Wordsworth in a trance-like state. This memory ultimately leads him to “acts of kindness and of love” (35-36). Nature brings upon Wordsworth a ‘blessed mood’ in which he is in harmony with the world. It is nature that leads Wordsworth to deep meditation as it provides the tranquility and solitude for …show more content…

He realizes that while the nature, the landscape surrounding Tintern Abbey has remained the same and will remain the same, he has and will change. In the last stanza, Wordsworth’s tone changes to slight anxiousness. There is a binary created of remembrance and forgetfulness. It could be because he desires a sense of immortality just like the ‘beauteous forms’ in the minds of his readers and Dorothy. He wishes his readers and his sister to draw comfort and solace from him just as the nature gives him comfort and solace. Thus, keeping his memory

Get Access