Extract from The Prelude: Page 2 Analysis
The second page of this Extract from The Prelude analysis delves deeper into the psychological impact of the narrator's encounter with the mountain. The tone shifts dramatically from the confident beginning to a state of fear and awe.
Quote: "With trembling oars I turned, / And through the silent water stole my way / Back to the covert of the willow tree"
This passage illustrates the narrator's retreat, emphasizing his newfound respect and fear for nature's power. The use of "stole" echoes the earlier act of taking the boat, reinforcing the theme of guilt.
The poem then explores the long-lasting effects of this experience on the narrator's psyche. Wordsworth employs vague and unsettling language to convey the profound change in the narrator's worldview.
Highlight: "For many days, my brain / Worked with a dim and undetermined sense / Of unknown modes of being"
This passage underscores the transformative nature of the experience, showing how it altered the narrator's perception of reality and his place in the natural world.
Definition: Solitude - A state of being alone, often associated with isolation or reflection.
The poem concludes with powerful imagery that contrasts sharply with the serene opening. The narrator's mind is now filled with "huge and mighty forms" that trouble his dreams, representing a new, more complex understanding of nature.
Quote: "But huge and mighty forms, that do not live / Like living men, moved slowly through the mind / By day, and were a trouble to my dreams."
This final passage encapsulates the The Prelude key quotes that demonstrate the poem's central themes: the power of nature, the loss of innocence, and the profound impact of singular experiences on our perception of the world.
Through this extract, Wordsworth masterfully portrays a pivotal moment in the narrator's development, using vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the transformative power of nature and experience. This Extract from The Prelude GCSE Analysis provides valuable insights into Wordsworth's poetic style and his exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world.
