Page 2: The Prelude Analysis

William Wordsworth's "The Prelude" presents a stark contrast to Shelley's "Ozymandias" in its exploration of nature's power. This extract from The Prelude poem pdf GCSE focuses on a young boy's encounter with nature's overwhelming presence, offering a different perspective on the theme of human insignificance in the face of natural forces.

The poem begins with a serene scene of a summer evening, with the speaker untying a small boat from a willow tree. This peaceful opening sets the stage for the dramatic shift in tone that follows. Wordsworth's use of first-person narration creates an intimate connection between the reader and the speaker's experience.

Highlight: The boat serves as a metaphor for mankind's influence, still anchored by the tree representing nature.

As the poem progresses, the speaker's initial confidence gives way to a sense of unease. The act of pushing off from the shore is described as "an act of stealth and troubled pleasure," hinting at the speaker's guilt and foreshadowing the encounter to come.

Quote: "It was an act of stealth and troubled pleasure, nor without the voice of mountain-echoes did my boat move on;"

This line introduces an element of tension and sets the stage for the conflict between man and nature that unfolds in the poem. The oxymoron "troubled pleasure" effectively conveys the speaker's mixed emotions.

Wordsworth's vivid imagery brings the scene to life, with descriptions of "small circles glittering idly in the moon" and the boat moving "like a swan." These peaceful images contrast sharply with the sudden appearance of the "huge peak, black and huge," which dominates the latter part of the poem.

Vocabulary: Elfin pinnace - A small, fairy-like boat, used metaphorically to represent the speaker's vessel.

The poem's structure mirrors the speaker's journey. It begins with long, flowing lines that reflect the calm water and the speaker's initial confidence. As the mountain appears and the tone shifts, the lines become more abrupt and fragmented, mirroring the speaker's growing unease.

Example: The repetition of "struck" in "I struck and struck again" emphasizes the speaker's determination and growing panic.

In comparing "The Prelude" and "Ozymandias", both poems explore how the power of nature is presented. While "Ozymandias" shows nature's power through its ability to outlast human achievements, "The Prelude" presents nature as an active, almost sentient force that can inspire awe and fear.

This extract from The Prelude GCSE analysis reveals Wordsworth's skill in conveying the sublime power of nature and its effect on the human psyche. The poem serves as a powerful exploration of man's relationship with the natural world, a theme central to Romantic poetry.