Relocating Nature in the Selected Poems of William Wordsworth

Abstract

William Wordsworth is one of the eminent poets of nature from England. English literature is deeply indebted to the contribution of Wordsworth in the field of poetry. Wordsworth thinks nature as a teacher and a source of spiritual guide. To him, nature is the storehouse of vitality and energy and it has the capability of healing power. Wordsworth often associated childhood with an instinctive connection to nature. Nature and human beings are closely associated that Wordsworth highlights.The influence of nature in Wordsworth’s poetry can be traced back in ancient “Rigveda”. In “Rigveda”, the natural elements like rivers, mountains, the sun, the wind, the rain are celebrated. The interconnectedness of humans and natural world is age-old and sound. Wordsworth believed the divine presence in nature. His theory of “pantheism” is popular in romantic nature poems. He found the presence of divinity in the poem “daffodils”. The sense of peace and serenity was prioritized in his nature poems. In “Upon the Westminster Bridge”, Wordsworth expressed the calm and peaceful atmosphere in nature. Wordsworth often represented nature as an integral part of human development, especially during childhood. He believed the inevitability of the bond with nature that formed in his early years. It profoundly shapes one’s character and perception. In “The Prelude”, Wordsworth reflects on how his childhood experiences in nature. It influences his imagination and moral sensibilities. Wordsworth believes that nature brings a kind of joy and pleasure that is spiritually unique. Nature helps human beings to come out from the chaos and stresses of the modern world. In the poem, “Daffodils”, the sight of daffodils brought joy and continues to uplift his spirit through memory: “And then my heart with pleasure fills, / and dances with the daffodils” (Daffodils, line 23-24). This paper highlights the concept of nature in William Wordsworth’s select poems such as “Tintern Abbey”, “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” and “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”.

Introduction

This text explores the life, poetic philosophy, and nature-centered works of William Wordsworth, one of the leading figures of the Romantic era in literature. Born in 1770 in England’s Lake District, Wordsworth was deeply influenced by nature from a young age and became a voice for the common man. His collaboration with Samuel Taylor Coleridge led to the publication of Lyrical Ballads in 1798, which helped define Romanticism. This movement emphasized emotion, individualism, and a spiritual connection to nature, reacting against the mechanization of the Industrial Revolution.

Wordsworth's Philosophy on Nature and Poetry:

• Nature is central to Wordsworth’s worldview—a moral guide, a spiritual presence, and a source of wisdom and joy.

• In his Preface to Lyrical Ballads, he defines poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings… recollected in tranquility.”

• He believes that true poetry and happiness come from harmony with nature, and that nature shapes the inner mind and spirit.

Key Poems and Themes:

1. Tintern Abbey

• Explores the spiritual and healing power of nature.

• Nature acts as a guide and companion, offering comfort during difficult times.

• Wordsworth expresses a pantheistic belief—that a divine spirit animates all of nature.

• The poem reflects on memory, transcendence, and the bond between humanity and the natural world.

2. Composed Upon Westminster Bridge

• Celebrates the serene beauty of London at dawn, blending natural calm with urban landscape.

• Depicts the quiet, peaceful moment as a spiritual experience.

• Shows that beauty and nature can be found even in cities, aligning with Romantic ideals of finding emotional depth in everyday life.

3. I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud (Daffodils)

• Describes the poet's sudden encounter with a field of daffodils, which brings joy and peace.

• Emphasizes nature's power to uplift and inspire, especially during times of solitude.

• Highlights the lasting emotional impact of natural beauty through vivid imagery and joyful recollection.

Conclusion

In the conclusion, through the study of these poems, it is established that William Wordsworth expresses the utmost importance of nature in human life. Wordsworth’s nature poems embody his deep reverence for nature and its spiritual, emotional and intellectual significance. His nature poems invite the readers to reconnect with nature, not as mere observer but as participant in its emotional and spiritual richness. The poet immortalizes nature as a source of eternal inspiration and guidance for humanity.

References

[1] Abrams, M.H. A Glossary of Literary Terms, Thomson, Eighth edition, First Reprint 2007. [2] Ferber, Michael, Romanticism: A very Short Introduction. Oxford University Press, 2010 [3] Gill, Stephen. William Wordsworth: A Life. Oxford University Press, 1989. [4] Sanders, Andrew. The Short Oxford History of English Literature. Oxford University Press. Third edition, 2004. [5] Carter, Ronald. McRae, John. The Routledge History of Literature in English. Third edition, Reprint 2021 [6] https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45521/i-wandered-lonely-as-a-cloud [7] https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45527/lines-composed-a-few-miles-above-tintern-abbey-on-revisiting-the-banks-of-the-wye-during-a-tour-july-13-1798 [8] https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45514/composed-upon-westminster-bridge-september-3-1802 [9] Mason, Emma. The Cambridge Introduction to William Wordsworth. Cambridge University Press 2010. [10] Mukherjee, S. K. (1996). William Wordsworth: An evaluation of his poetry (6thed.). New Delhi: Rama Brothers. [11] Wordsworth, William and Coleridge, S. T. Lyrical Ballads. Edited by R.L. Bret and A.R. Jones. Second edition published 1991 by Routledge.

Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Prabhat Konai. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.