Page 2: The Retreat and Psychological Impact
The second page of the Extract from The Prelude GCSE analysis focuses on the narrator's retreat from the lake and the profound psychological impact of his encounter with the mountain peak. The tone shifts dramatically from the initial confidence to one of fear and introspection.
The narrator, now described as having "trembling oars," turns the boat back towards the willow tree where he found it. This physical retreat mirrors his emotional state, as he steals his way through the silent water, emphasizing the sense of being an intruder in nature's domain.
Quote: "With trembling oars I turned, / And through the silent water stole my way / Back to the covert of the willow tree;"
After securing the boat, the narrator begins his journey home through the meadows. His mood is described as "grave and serious," indicating the profound effect the experience has had on him. This marks the beginning of a period of deep reflection and psychological transformation.
Highlight: The phrase "grave and serious mood" underscores the significant impact of the experience on the narrator's state of mind, contrasting sharply with his initial confidence.
The poem then delves into the long-lasting effects of this encounter on the narrator's psyche. For many days following the event, his mind is described as working with a "dim and undetermined sense of unknown modes of being." This suggests a fundamental shift in his understanding of the world and his place in it.
Vocabulary: "Undetermined sense" - This phrase refers to a vague or unclear feeling or understanding, emphasizing the narrator's struggle to fully comprehend his experience.
The psychological impact is further illustrated through vivid imagery of darkness and solitude hanging over the narrator's thoughts. Familiar and pleasant images of nature are replaced by "huge and mighty forms" that haunt his mind during the day and trouble his dreams at night.
Example: The lines "No familiar shapes / Remained, no pleasant images of trees, / Of sea or sky, no colours of green fields;" demonstrate how the experience has altered the narrator's perception of even the most familiar aspects of nature.
The poem concludes with a powerful description of these imposing forms moving slowly through the narrator's mind, emphasizing the lasting and transformative nature of his encounter with the mountain peak. This final image reinforces the theme of nature's power to inspire both awe and unease, fundamentally changing one's worldview.
Definition: Blank verse - The poem is written in blank verse, which consists of unrhymed lines in iambic pentameter (ten syllables per line with alternating unstressed and stressed syllables). This form mirrors everyday speech patterns and allows for a natural flow of narrative and emotion.
The Extract from The Prelude structure is divided into three distinct sections: the initial confidence and boat journey, the encounter with the mountain peak, and the reflection on the experience's impact. This structure effectively conveys the narrator's emotional and psychological journey, from self-assurance to awe and introspection.
