Which Of Lines Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey By William Wordsworth?

The sentimentality of his contemplative thoughts often brought deep introspection. His words carried certain message which initially born out of frustration for the failure of French Revolution then catalytically influencing his thoughts over death and existential question. At the time when he wrote “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” which was published in 1798 in his “Lyrical Ballads” delved into the elevated bond between Man and Nature which became a major concern for Wordsworth as David Daiches says that he

Wordsworth stood on the cliff 'not only with the sense of 'present pleasure'; (63) but he joyfully anticipated the moments 'for future years'; (65). He came back to reality and began to analyze the situation after his reminiscing. Wordsworth realized that he had lost some guidance and was searching for the presence of nature when returning to the Wye. He remembered when he used to wander and roam as free as a roe but as he matured he felt content with tapping into his memories of his youth because as Wordsworth stated, 'That time is past? other gifts have allowed; for such loss, I would believe, abundant recompense'; (83-88). He realized that he was involved with more mature things in life because he had become more intelligent through the years and saw nature in the light of his intelligence. Yet, he insisted that he was 'still a lover of the meadows and the woods, and the mountains; and of all that we behold from this green earth'; (102-105) but indeed, in a more composed way.

William Wordsworth’s poem, “Composed A Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey, On Revisiting The Banks Of The Wye During A Tour. July 13, 1798” (also known as simply, “Tintern Abbey”), was included in the book Lyrical Ballads, with a Few Other Poems. This was a joint effort between himself and author Samuel Taylor Coleridge. “Tintern Abbey” remains one of Wadsworth’s most famous poems, and at its printing, the book was completely sold out in two years. The name of the poem reflects the inspiration Wadsworth felt upon visiting the ruins of an old church called Tintern Abbey, with his sister Dorothy.

Previously in the commencement of my essay, I had posed a question along the lines of “How did Wordsworth and Muir come to this point of pure and utter infatuation with the nature that surrounds them?” Throughout the close analysis and investigation I have done studying the two, I have come to discover that these masters in their craft of writing have an interesting point-of-view that differs from the average individual; they simply have a deeper rooted connection to their environment whether that be due solely to the fact that they just love nature or that they approach life in a more literary manner to the point that even the most mere blade of grass can be surrounded by just the right words to be glorified in such a way that it sounds even

This poem discusses Wordsworth’s ongoing frustration with the world around him. We are not paying attention to nature, but instead are focused on “getting and spending”. The recurring theme of excessive materialism flows through every line, all very relatable to the modern day. We are “out of tune” with the world, out of touch with our own spirituality,

(“lonely rooms, and mid the din / Of towns and cities, I have owed to them / In hours of weariness, sensations sweet”). Once again repetition is used to firmly imprint the idea in our mind of how essential this memory has been to his happiness during testing times, “How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee / … / How often has my spirit turned to thee”. The simplicity in which he aims to convey this idea relates back to his poetic purpose of recovering “the naked and native dignity of man” (Preface to the Lyrical Ballads, 1801), doing this required using “a selection of language really used by men” (Preface to the Lyrical Ballads, 1801). The use of repetition emphasises the point he is trying to convey, the audience is made focus on just how beneficial state of mind can be when we are in unpleasant circumstances. The first person narrative style places us in the shoes of Wordsworth, and we ponder the role positive thought has played in our own lives. With the poet himself, memories of nature sustained and restored him when weighed down by the burdens of the world, and we are compelled to question where he would be without

He also notes however that he does not mourn the change. While the "aching joys" (l.85) that the scene evoked in the past are gone, they have been replaced by "other gifts" (l.87) that Wordsworth holds more valuable. He explains that he has "learned / To look on nature not as in the hour / Of thoughtless youth, but hearing oftentimes / The still, sad music of humanity" (ll.89-92). And it is due to the discrepancy in the way that he perceives the scene of the Wye valley that he is able to reflect on, and consider his progress.

Lines 79-84 represent loss and decay and are another set of themes in this poem. These lines show that his poem itself is a memory; memories can never contain the original content of an experience as it did the first time. Wordsworth's intense emotional pain is displayed throughout these lines. A particular line is: "That time is past/And all its aching joys are no more". The poet clearly tells his reader's that he is extremely upset at the fact that he no longer feels that joys he has felt before, and even though he hears in nature the still, sad music of humanity, he still prefers memory and the sense of nature over intellect and actuality. Wordsworth senses his mortality and realizes that nature ("their colours and their forms...") can not renew his pleasant spirits as much as he wants them to. "Tintern Abbey" also presents the poet to an exploration of identity and self understanding; Wordsworth is in conflict with the natural landscape that is painted in front of him and his mental landscape, two major different forces, and he is trying to find an equal path to both forces so that he can find his self or his destiny. Another explanation of these lines could be that Wordsworth comprehends the way nature functions --the death and renewal of all things– and that nature will one day also play a part on him. He is accepting that one day that, like his memories, he will fade and pass

Born in the late 1770s, Wordsworth’s life was plagued with disaster and death from an early age. At the age of 7, his mother passed away, and his beloved sister Dorothy was sent to live with relatives. At the age of 13, his father became deathly ill after climbing through the mountains, passing away a few days later. After all this horror had passed, Wordsworth found himself sitting on a boat on a lake. It was here that Wordsworth realised the power and awe of nature, and how he too was at Her mercy. These experiences shaped the way Wordsworth wrote his poetry, and the way in which he sought inspiration. Writers of the Romantic Era tended to focus on three specific genres: childhood, the environment, and industrialisation. Generally, the themes written about had a sense of loss, of damage to the human spirit. The poem The World Is Too Much With Us expresses Wordsworth’s anger and frustration at his world; at this point in history, the Industrial Revolution had swept through Europe, creating factories and

“Tintern Abbey” entails deeply into nature, and the reoccurrence of a past life. Wordsworth had visited the Tintern Abbey before, and returns five years late while he is on tour. From the opening phrase, we can detect a hint of laboriousness, even a potential tedium. (Fairer 179) Moving more into his writing, he goes deeper into his meaning using sensual language:

Poets write about happiness, love, life, loss and desire it is never about a neutral feeling. Poetry is inspired by highs and lows; but William Wordsworth’s refreshed look on life is put into his poetry. The crisp blank paper is transformed into a piece of artwork, Wordsworth was an artist when it came to poetry. His words even today haunt many, especially from his masterpiece “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge September 3, 1802.” The poem, though not one of his most well-known pieces offers a refreshing look at the world through its timeless theme and its inspiring language creating a unique and innovational sonnet.

One can argue that William Wordsworth believes that memory can be utilized as an anecdote that is able to cure someone’s pain, while a writer such as Thomas Hardy would disapprove of this Wordsworthian ideal by believing that memory is simply a “shroud of gray” (Vernooy). This claim can be supported as true when Wordsworth’s Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey is examined more closely. Within this piece, Wordsworth states, “These beauteous forms/Through a long absence, have not been to me/As is a landscape to a blind man’s eye/But oft, in lonely rooms, and ‘mid the din/Of towns and cities, I have owed to them/In hours of weariness, sensations sweet (Wordsworth 23-27). Here, Wordsworth provides a detailed description about how nature is able to provide a safe-haven for him in a time when Britain’s cities are looking to industrialize more than ever. By personifying nature during this time of economic crisis, Wordsworth is creating an outlet that aids him in moving forward.

Wordsworth appreciates nature which is surrounding him and the beauty of nature too. And he claims that nature makes him recall his beautiful past. In Wordsworth poems, memory and past give the poet solace and provide him with comfort. In his poem, Wordsworth indicates that the effect of the landscape of nature continues even after leaving the view; and this can be achieved only if people not only see physically by their eyes but also mentally with their hearts. Moreover, in the poem, the speaker is happy because he reminisces the daffodils which shows how a memory can play a main rule in Wordsworth poem. Wordsworth focuses on the past and the memory of nature and the personal relationship which appears to be a motif in his poetry. On the other side of the spectrum, the relationship between the Mont Blank and the mountain becomes a symbol between Shelley and the history. Since the poet has this bond and he understands the truth of nature his aim becomes to guide himself and people to humanity (Reider, 1981). Shelley says that the voice of the mountain and the truth of his poetry is found in his poetry. Furthermore, Shelley always connects nature with man so he gives the total intention to the meditation between nature and men. Moreover, Shelley and his poem opposes religion so it offers an egalitarian replacement but it is truly understands the secrets of nature (Reider,

He has become materialistic and can no longer think clearly. For his happiness and betterment man should restore communication with nature because only nature can lead his soul towards contentment and peace. Wordsworth emphasis that man’s perfection and greatness does not depend on physical or worldly advancement but in liberating himself from the lust and physical pleasures of this artificial life and by treading on the path of nature- the path of humanity. Wordsworth argues that man faces all sorts of hardships and sufferings in order to fulfill his worldly desires. He overcome every hindrance and avoid everything that he consider as harmful for his progress. Similarly if man perceive certain ills that affect his purity of soul, he must not aspire for them and shun all negative temptations. Man in his process of development must equip himself with those factors that contribute to his advancement towards nobility. Wordsworth was of the view that if man deviates from nature he will never be able to reach the high peaks of humanity. He had witnessed the Reign of Terror and learnt from his experience that if man does not observe restraint in life , he can become a bloodthirsty beast that can cause great destruction to humanity. Wordsworth’s heroes are not from the elite classes but rustic men who lived a frugal life. He admired their simplicity, courage, hope and patience. They faced the problems of life with patience and craved no more. Wordsworth values virtue as one of the most important factors in nation building. He rejects the materialistic standards of the eighteenth century and preaches man humanness which is the soul of man and also the soul of a society in which he lives. Wordsworth’s poetry is a protest against the artificialities of urban

The poem is set in the Lake District of Wordsworth’s youth, and embodies the ideals of the Romantic Era; that nature and human intuition have a kind of knowledge not found in books and formal education. When confronted as to why he spends his time at the lake, musing and contemplating, Wordsworth replies with what was to become a memorable moment in english literature; nature nurtures the mind in a unique way, with it’s own wisdom, one which cannot be found in the pages of scholarly books. To stimulate his senses entirely, a man must just sit in the presence of nature. This was an idea found in the works of many romantic poets, who were thought to have a distrust in mankind, but found peace and knowledge in closeness with nature. Romantic poetry allowed us to see their world directly and "much of romantic poetry invited the reader to identify the protagonists with the poets themselves.”(Abrams)