Wordsworth Notes

QUICKWRITE “Apart From Nature” If you were to write a poem describing your separation from nature, what kind of setting would you use? From the following list, choose a setting where you feel APART from nature and then write a paragraph explaining why you feel that way.

Background Most influential of English Romantic poets Most influential of English Romantic poets Childhood home and his journeys alone inspired his poetry Childhood home and his journeys alone inspired his poetry Wordsworth transformed the everyday experiences from his sister’s diary into poetry Wordsworth transformed the everyday experiences from his sister’s diary into poetry Poetry shows enthusiasm for childhood, nature, and poetic imagination Poetry shows enthusiasm for childhood, nature, and poetic imagination Uses language spoken by everyday people Uses language spoken by everyday people “World Is Too Much With Us” expresses belief that modern people lack a feeling of identification with nature “World Is Too Much With Us” expresses belief that modern people lack a feeling of identification with nature

Vocabulary Sordid- adj. Sordid- adj. Dirty, squalid OR dishonorable or ignoble; mean or petty Examples: The sordid affair was kept secret for nearly 75 years. The sordid affair was kept secret for nearly 75 years. It was too ugly, too sordid, too fearful to be heroic. It was too ugly, too sordid, too fearful to be heroic. Here the tale gets even more sordid with shady characters appearing in the scene. Here the tale gets even more sordid with shady characters appearing in the scene.

Boon (n): Blessing, benefit Modern digital work stations are an absolute boon to the mastering process. Modern digital work stations are an absolute boon to the mastering process. Having obtained this boon, he considered himself invincible and the supreme god. Having obtained this boon, he considered himself invincible and the supreme god. There are many good faith schools which are a positive boon to the communities they serve There are many good faith schools which are a positive boon to the communities they serve

Suckle (v.): To nurse; to bring up or rear All the mothers lions will then suckle any of the cubs, allowing the others to go hunting. All the mothers lions will then suckle any of the cubs, allowing the others to go hunting.

Creed (n): A formal statement or expression of religious faith; a statement of beliefs or principles To recite the creed is to reaffirm the tradition, to connect with the past, to glory in the poetry. To recite the creed is to reaffirm the tradition, to connect with the past, to glory in the poetry. They preach against the weakness of democracy and follow a brutal military creed. They preach against the weakness of democracy and follow a brutal military creed.

Forlorn (adj): Deserted, miserable, hopeless Now the trees stand forlorn in the gathering gloom. Now the trees stand forlorn in the gathering gloom. She looked so forlorn, so empty like the hope had been sucked out of her. She looked so forlorn, so empty like the hope had been sucked out of her.

ALLUSION Reference to a well-known person, place, or thing in culture Reference to a well-known person, place, or thing in culture Allusion in this poem is the ancient Pagans and Greek gods Allusion in this poem is the ancient Pagans and Greek gods

Is It Romantic? (9) Strong senses/emotions – speaker is passionate about the fact that people are no longer connected with nature Strong senses/emotions – speaker is passionate about the fact that people are no longer connected with nature Awe of nature – natural imagery; entire poem is about people who ignore nature’s beauty and the speaker does not feel that way Awe of nature – natural imagery; entire poem is about people who ignore nature’s beauty and the speaker does not feel that way Revolutionary/rebellious – everyone else is materialistic; speaker is not Revolutionary/rebellious – everyone else is materialistic; speaker is not

Is It Romantic? (9) Folksy/down to earth – speaker admires the beauty in nature, particularly the sea Folksy/down to earth – speaker admires the beauty in nature, particularly the sea Nature – worshipping – speaker/theme both idealize nature Nature – worshipping – speaker/theme both idealize nature Supernatural/Mystical – reference to Pagan gods Supernatural/Mystical – reference to Pagan gods Sentimental and Poignant – reference to Pagan gods and speaker would rather be alive in that time Sentimental and Poignant – reference to Pagan gods and speaker would rather be alive in that time Sensuous and Passionate – speaker has strong feelings towards nature but also the fact that others are a part from it Sensuous and Passionate – speaker has strong feelings towards nature but also the fact that others are a part from it