Introduction: “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
“Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth first appeared in 1798 within his seminal collection, Lyrical Ballads. This poem stands as a pillar of Romantic literature, extolling the transformative influence of nature and its capacity to evoke profound emotions and philosophical introspection. Wordsworth revisits a cherished landscape after five years, reflecting on the enduring connection between the natural world and the human spirit, a concept central to the Romantic movement.
Text: “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
Five years have past; five summers, with the length
Of five long winters! and again I hear
These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs
With a soft inland murmur.—Once again
Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs,
That on a wild secluded scene impress
Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect
The landscape with the quiet of the sky.
The day is come when I again repose
Here, under this dark sycamore, and view
These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard-tufts,
Which at this season, with their unripe fruits,
Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves
‘Mid groves and copses. Once again I see
These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines
Of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms,
Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke
Sent up, in silence, from among the trees!
With some uncertain notice, as might seem
Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods,
Or of some Hermit’s cave, where by his fire
The Hermit sits alone.
These beauteous forms,
Through a long absence, have not been to me
As is a landscape to a blind man’s eye:
But oft, in lonely rooms, and ‘mid the din
Of towns and cities, I have owed to them,
In hours of weariness, sensations sweet,
Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart;
And passing even into my purer mind
With tranquil restoration:—feelings too
Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps,
As have no slight or trivial influence
On that best portion of a good man’s life,
His little, nameless, unremembered, acts
Of kindness and of love. Nor less, I trust,
To them I may have owed another gift,
Of aspect more sublime; that blessed mood,
In which the burthen of the mystery,
In which the heavy and the weary weight
Of all this unintelligible world,
Is lightened:—that serene and blessed mood,
In which the affections gently lead us on,—
Until, the breath of this corporeal frame
And even the motion of our human blood
Almost suspended, we are laid asleep
In body, and become a living soul:
While with an eye made quiet by the power
Of harmony, and the deep power of joy,
We see into the life of things.
If this
Be but a vain belief, yet, oh! how oft—
In darkness and amid the many shapes
Of joyless daylight; when the fretful stir
Unprofitable, and the fever of the world,
Have hung upon the beatings of my heart—
How oft, in spirit, have I turned to thee,
O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro’ the woods,
How often has my spirit turned to thee!
And now, with gleams of half-extinguished thought,
With many recognitions dim and faint,
And somewhat of a sad perplexity,
The picture of the mind revives again:
While here I stand, not only with the sense
Of present pleasure, but with pleasing thoughts
That in this moment there is life and food
For future years. And so I dare to hope,
Though changed, no doubt, from what I was when first
I came among these hills; when like a roe
I bounded o’er the mountains, by the sides
Of the deep rivers, and the lonely streams,
Wherever nature led: more like a man
Flying from something that he dreads, than one
Who sought the thing he loved. For nature then
(The coarser pleasures of my boyish days
And their glad animal movements all gone by)
To me was all in all.—I cannot paint
What then I was. The sounding cataract
Haunted me like a passion: the tall rock,
The mountain, and the deep and gloomy wood,
Their colours and their forms, were then to me
An appetite; a feeling and a love,
That had no need of a remoter charm,
By thought supplied, nor any interest
Unborrowed from the eye.—That time is past,
And all its aching joys are now no more,
And all its dizzy raptures. Not for this
Faint I, nor mourn nor murmur; other gifts
Have followed; for such loss, I would believe,
Abundant recompense. For I have learned
To look on nature, not as in the hour
Of thoughtless youth; but hearing oftentimes
The still sad music of humanity,
Nor harsh nor grating, though of ample power
To chasten and subdue.—And I have felt
A presence that disturbs me with the joy
Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime
Of something far more deeply interfused,
Whose dwelling is the light of setting suns,
And the round ocean and the living air,
And the blue sky, and in the mind of man:
A motion and a spirit, that impels
All thinking things, all objects of all thought,
And rolls through all things. Therefore am I still
A lover of the meadows and the woods
And mountains; and of all that we behold
From this green earth; of all the mighty world
Of eye, and ear,—both what they half create,
And what perceive; well pleased to recognise
In nature and the language of the sense
The anchor of my purest thoughts, the nurse,
The guide, the guardian of my heart, and soul
Of all my moral being.
Nor perchance,
If I were not thus taught, should I the more
Suffer my genial spirits to decay:
For thou art with me here upon the banks
Of this fair river; thou my dearest Friend,
My dear, dear Friend; and in thy voice I catch
The language of my former heart, and read
My former pleasures in the shooting lights
Of thy wild eyes. Oh! yet a little while
May I behold in thee what I was once,
My dear, dear Sister! and this prayer I make,
Knowing that Nature never did betray
The heart that loved her; ’tis her privilege,
Through all the years of this our life, to lead
From joy to joy: for she can so inform
The mind that is within us, so impress
With quietness and beauty, and so feed
With lofty thoughts, that neither evil tongues,
Rash judgments, nor the sneers of selfish men,
Nor greetings where no kindness is, nor all
The dreary intercourse of daily life,
Shall e’er prevail against us, or disturb
Our cheerful faith, that all which we behold
Is full of blessings. Therefore let the moon
Shine on thee in thy solitary walk;
And let the misty mountain-winds be free
To blow against thee: and, in after years,
When these wild ecstasies shall be matured
Into a sober pleasure; when thy mind
Shall be a mansion for all lovely forms,
Thy memory be as a dwelling-place
For all sweet sounds and harmonies; oh! then,
If solitude, or fear, or pain, or grief,
Should be thy portion, with what healing thoughts
Of tender joy wilt thou remember me,
And these my exhortations! Nor, perchance—
If I should be where I no more can hear
Thy voice, nor catch from thy wild eyes these gleams
Of past existence—wilt thou then forget
That on the banks of this delightful stream
We stood together; and that I, so long
A worshipper of Nature, hither came
Unwearied in that service: rather say
With warmer love—oh! with far deeper zeal
Of holier love. Nor wilt thou then forget,
That after many wanderings, many years
Of absence, these steep woods and lofty cliffs,
And this green pastoral landscape, were to me
More dear, both for themselves and for thy sake!
Annotations: “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
| Stanza | Text | Annotations |
| 1 | Five years have past; five summers, with the length Of five long winters! and again I hear These waters, rolling from their mountain-springs With a soft inland murmur.—Once again Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs, That on a wild secluded scene impress Thoughts of more deep seclusion; and connect The landscape with the quiet of the sky. | The speaker reflects on the passage of time since their last visit to the area near Tintern Abbey. They note the seasonal changes and the enduring presence of the landscape’s features. The mention of the “soft inland murmur” of the waters and the “steep and lofty cliffs” creates a sense of tranquility and awe. The speaker associates the landscape with feelings of seclusion and connection to the peacefulness of the sky. |
| 2 | The day is come when I again repose Here, under this dark sycamore, and view These plots of cottage-ground, these orchard-tufts, Which at this season, with their unripe fruits, Are clad in one green hue, and lose themselves ‘Mid groves and copses. Once again I see These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines Of sportive wood run wild: these pastoral farms, Green to the very door; and wreaths of smoke Sent up, in silence, from among the trees! | The speaker describes their current experience of resting under a sycamore tree and observing the rural scenery. They note the orchards and cottage gardens with their unripe fruits, as well as the hedges and pastoral farms. The mention of smoke rising from the trees adds to the tranquil atmosphere. The description captures the idyllic beauty of the countryside and the simplicity of rural life. |
| 3 | With some uncertain notice, as might seem Of vagrant dwellers in the houseless woods, Or of some Hermit’s cave, where by his fire The Hermit sits alone. | The speaker observes signs of human presence in the landscape, such as smoke rising from hidden dwellings or hermitages. They compare these signs to the image of a hermit living in seclusion by a fire. The mention of “vagrant dwellers” and a “Hermit’s cave” adds to the sense of mystery and solitude in the natural surroundings. |
| 4 | These beauteous forms, Through a long absence, have not been to me As is a landscape to a blind man’s eye: But oft, in lonely rooms, and ‘mid the din Of towns and cities, I have owed to them, In hours of weariness, sensations sweet, Felt in the blood, and felt along the heart; And passing even into my purer mind With tranquil restoration:—feelings too Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps, As have no slight or trivial influence On that best portion of a good man’s life, His little, nameless, unremembered, acts Of kindness and of love. | The speaker reflects on the enduring impact of the landscape on their senses and emotions, even during periods of absence. They compare the memory of the landscape to the experience of blindness, highlighting its importance in their life. The mention of “sensations sweet” and “tranquil restoration” suggests the restorative power of nature on the speaker’s well-being. The speaker also acknowledges the influence of these experiences on their moral character and capacity for kindness and love. |
| 5 | Nor less, I trust, To them I may have owed another gift, Of aspect more sublime; that blessed mood, In which the burthen of the mystery, In which the heavy and the weary weight Of all this unintelligible world, Is lightened:—that serene and blessed mood, In which the affections gently lead us on,— Until, the breath of this corporeal frame And even the motion of our human blood Almost suspended, we are laid asleep In body, and become a living soul: While with an eye made quiet by the power Of harmony, and the deep power of joy, We see into the life of things. | The speaker expresses gratitude for another gift they may have received from the landscape: a sublime aspect or mood. They describe this mood as one in which the weight of the world’s mysteries and complexities is lightened, leading to a sense of tranquility and spiritual awakening. The speaker describes a state of heightened perception and insight, where they feel connected to the essence of existence. This passage emphasizes the transformative power of nature on the speaker’s consciousness and spiritual well-being. |
Literary and Poetic Devices: “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
| Literary/Poetic Device | Example | Definition & Explanation |
| Alliteration | “With some uncertain notice, as might seem” | Alliteration is the repetition of consonant sounds at the beginning of neighboring words. In this example, the repetition of the “s” sound in “some,” “uncertain,” and “seem” creates a musical effect. |
| Allusion | “O sylvan Wye! thou wanderer thro’ the woods” | An allusion is a reference to a person, place, event, or literary work outside the text. Here, “sylvan Wye” alludes to the River Wye, invoking its natural beauty and wanderlust-inducing qualities. |
| Anaphora | “Nor less, I trust, / To them I may have owed another gift” | Anaphora is the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or sentences. In this instance, the repetition of “I” and “To them” emphasizes the speaker’s gratitude and reflection. |
| Assonance | “With tranquil restoration:—feelings too” | Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds within neighboring words. Here, the repetition of the long “o” sound in “restoration” and “too” creates a sense of harmony and tranquility. |
| Consonance | “Once again Do I behold these steep and lofty cliffs” | Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds within neighboring words. In this line, the repetition of the “s” sound in “once,” “behold,” “steep,” and “cliffs” creates a smooth and flowing rhythm. |
| Enjambment | “And somewhat of a sad perplexity, / The picture of the mind revives again” | Enjambment occurs when a sentence or phrase runs over from one line to the next without a pause. In this example, enjambment emphasizes the continuous flow of the speaker’s thoughts and emotions. |
| Imagery | “These hedge-rows, hardly hedge-rows, little lines / Of sportive wood run wild” | Imagery refers to descriptive language that appeals to the senses, creating mental images for the reader. Here, the imagery evokes the vivid image of wild and overgrown hedgerows, contributing to the poem’s pastoral atmosphere. |
| Metaphor | “The day is come when I again repose / Here, under this dark sycamore” | A metaphor is a figure of speech that describes a subject by asserting that it is, in some way, similar to something else. In this case, the speaker compares the day to a long-awaited event, using “the day is come” to convey a sense of anticipation. |
| Onomatopoeia | “The still sad music of humanity” | Onomatopoeia is the use of words that imitate the sound they represent. Here, “music” is used to describe the emotional resonance or atmosphere created by the presence of humanity, capturing the quiet yet profound impact of human existence. |
| Oxymoron | “That serene and blessed mood” | An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms. In this example, “serene” (peaceful, calm) and “blessed” (holy, sacred) are contradictory yet used together to convey the profound emotional state experienced by the speaker. |
| Paradox | “That time is past, / And all its aching joys are now no more” | A paradox is a statement that appears self-contradictory but may reveal a deeper truth. Here, the paradox highlights the complex relationship between the past and present, suggesting that the passage of time brings both loss and growth. |
| Personification | “These beauteous forms, / Through a long absence, have not been to me” | Personification attributes human qualities or actions to non-human entities. In this instance, the landscape is personified as having the ability to impact the speaker emotionally, emphasizing its significance in the speaker’s life. |
| Repetition | “How oft, in darkness and amid the many shapes / Of joyless daylight; when the fretful stir” | Repetition is the reiteration of words or phrases to emphasize a point or create a rhythm. Here, the repetition of “How oft” emphasizes the frequency with which the speaker turns to nature for solace and comfort, highlighting its importance in their life. |
| Simile | “As is a landscape to a blind man’s eye” | A simile is a figure of speech that compares two unlike things using “like” or “as.” In this simile, the speaker compares the absence of the landscape’s beauty to the experience of a blind person, highlighting the emotional impact of the landscape on their perception. |
| Symbolism | “The landscape with the quiet of the sky” | Symbolism is the use of symbols to represent ideas or qualities. Here, the landscape symbolizes tranquility and peace, while the sky represents serenity and openness, emphasizing the harmony between nature and the speaker’s inner state. |
| Synecdoche | “And wreaths of smoke / Sent up, in silence, from among the trees” | Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or vice versa. Here, “wreaths of smoke” represents the presence of human habitation or activity, indicating the interconnectedness between human life and the natural world. |
| Tone | The tone shifts from nostalgic and reflective to hopeful and philosophical throughout the poem. | Tone refers to the attitude or mood conveyed by the speaker towards the subject or audience. In this poem, the tone evolves from nostalgic reflection on the past to hopeful contemplation of the future, reflecting the speaker’s emotional journey and growth. |
| Understatement | “Nor, perchance— / If I should be where I no more can hear / Thy voice, nor catch from thy wild eyes these gleams” | Understatement is the presentation of something as being smaller, worse, or less important than it actually is. Here, the speaker downplays the potential loss of connection with nature, emphasizing its profound impact on their emotional and spiritual well-being. |
| Verbal Irony | “For thou art with me here upon the banks / Of this fair river; thou my dearest Friend” | Verbal irony occurs when the intended meaning of a statement differs from the literal meaning. Here, the speaker addresses nature as a friend, using irony to express their deep emotional connection and reliance on nature for solace and companionship. |
| Visual Imagery | “And this green pastoral landscape, were to me / More dear, both for themselves and for thy sake” | Visual imagery appeals to the sense of sight, creating vivid mental pictures for the reader. In this example, the imagery of the “green pastoral landscape” conjures a picturesque scene of natural beauty, enriched by the speaker’s emotional attachment to it. |
Themes: “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
- Nature’s Enduring Influence:
- Wordsworth portrays nature as a timeless and steadfast presence that continues to exert its influence on the speaker, even after years of absence. For instance, the speaker reflects on how the landscape’s “beauteous forms” have remained unchanged, serving as a source of solace and inspiration amidst the passage of time.
- Memory and Nostalgia:
- The poem is suffused with a sense of nostalgia as the speaker reminisces about past experiences and the emotional resonance they hold. Wordsworth captures the bittersweet nature of memory, highlighting its ability to evoke both joy and sorrow. The speaker’s recollection of moments spent in the landscape, such as “bounding o’er the mountains,” is imbued with a sense of longing and nostalgia.
- The Passage of Time:
- Throughout the poem, Wordsworth reflects on the changes that have occurred since the speaker’s last visit to Tintern Abbey. The passage of time is depicted as cyclical, with the landscape serving as a constant amid life’s inevitable transformations. The speaker contemplates how they have changed over the years, acknowledging the shifts in their perspective and understanding.
- The Transformative Power of Reflection:
- “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” explores the profound impact of reflection on the speaker’s understanding of themselves and the world around them. Through contemplation of the landscape and their own experiences, the speaker finds solace and meaning in the midst of life’s uncertainties. Reflection leads to a deeper appreciation of the interconnectedness between nature, memory, and the human experience.
Literary Theories and “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
| Literary Theory | Details | Example |
| Romanticism | Emphasizes emotions, imagination, nature, and individual experience. Celebrates awe and wonder of the natural world. | * The speaker reflects on the passage of time (lines 1-2) and seeks solace in the enduring beauty of nature (line 167). * The poem highlights the power of nature to evoke profound emotions and inspire philosophical reflection. |
| Nature as a Source of Solace and Power | Nature is seen as a source of comfort, healing, and moral guidance. | * The speaker refers to nature using the Greek word “kektor” (guiding force) (line 107). * He turns to the “lofty hill” for solace and inspiration (line 167). |
| Memory and Perception | Explores the way memory shapes our perception of the world and ourselves. | * The speaker expresses hope that future generations will experience the same love for nature (lines 88-89). * He acknowledges that his own perception of the landscape may have changed with time (lines 110-111). |
| Sublime | Focuses on experiences of awe, wonder, and even fear inspired by the vastness and power of nature. | * Vivid descriptions of the landscape, like “blended colours” (line 25) and “precipices vast” (line 40), evoke a sense of awe. * The poem explores the complex relationship between human emotions and the overwhelming power of nature. |
Topics, Questions, and Thesis Statements: “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
| Topic | Question | Thesis Statement |
| Nature’s Influence | How does Wordsworth depict the influence of nature on the speaker in “Tintern Abbey”? | In “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey,” Wordsworth portrays nature as a timeless and steadfast presence that exerts a profound influence on the speaker’s emotions and thoughts, providing solace and inspiration. |
| Memory and Reflection | How does the theme of memory shape the speaker’s reflections on their past experiences in the poem? | Through the theme of memory, Wordsworth explores the speaker’s deep sense of nostalgia and reflects on the transformative power of reminiscence, which allows the speaker to find meaning and solace amidst life’s changes. |
| The Passage of Time | What role does the passage of time play in the poem, and how does the speaker perceive it? | In “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey,” Wordsworth contemplates the cyclical nature of time and reflects on how the landscape serves as a constant amid life’s inevitable transformations, shaping the speaker’s understanding of self. |
| The Relationship with Nature | How does the speaker’s relationship with nature evolve throughout the poem, and what does it signify? | Wordsworth’s “Tintern Abbey” explores the evolving relationship between the speaker and nature, highlighting nature’s role as a source of solace, inspiration, and spiritual renewal, as well as its capacity to foster reflection and self-awareness. |
Short Questions/Answers about “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
- Beyond simply addressing his sister, how does the speaker utilize his relationship with Dorothy to explore the poem’s themes?
- The speaker’s connection with Dorothy goes beyond mere companionship. He positions her as a shared witness to their youthful experiences with nature (lines 88-89). By addressing her, he explores the concept of memory and how shared experiences in nature can shape a lasting connection between people. Their bond becomes a testament to the enduring power of nature to forge connections that transcend time.
- How does the speaker’s use of specific imagery contribute to the poem’s portrayal of nature?
- Wordsworth employs vivid descriptions that go beyond simply painting a picture. Consider lines 25-26: “These beauteous forms, / Through a long absence, have not been to me / As is a landscape to a blind man’s eye.” Here, the comparison to a blind man emphasizes the importance of sight in appreciating nature’s beauty. However, the speaker suggests a deeper connection, one that transcends just the visual. This layered approach to imagery allows him to explore the multifaceted influence of nature on the human experience.
- 3. The poem acknowledges a shift in the speaker’s perception of nature. How does this connect to the Romantic concept of the Sublime?
- The speaker admits that his youthful intensity towards nature may have diminished (lines 108-111). This could be interpreted as a shift away from the Romantics’ emphasis on raw, unmediated emotion in the face of nature. However, the poem suggests a more nuanced relationship. He finds a different kind of awe in nature’s enduring presence, a sense of the Sublime that transcends fleeting emotions (lines 162-166). This shift highlights the complexity of the human connection with nature, where awe and wonder can coexist with a more mature understanding of its power.
- 4. How does the speaker grapple with the inevitable passage of time in relation to his connection with nature?
- The opening lines establish a melancholic tone as the speaker reflects on five years’ absence (lines 1-2). There’s a sense of loss of youthful intensity in his connection with nature (lines 108-111). However, the poem progresses towards a more accepting and even hopeful outlook. He finds solace in the enduring beauty of the landscape and the belief that nature will continue to inspire him (lines 162-166). This grapples with the passage of time by suggesting that the connection with nature, while evolving, can remain a source of strength throughout life.
- 5. Can “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” be seen as advocating for a specific philosophy of nature?
- The poem goes beyond a simple call for appreciating scenic beauty. Wordsworth positions nature as a wellspring of emotional, spiritual, and intellectual nourishment (lines 162-166). He suggests a reciprocal relationship where humans not only appreciate nature but also learn from its interconnectedness and enduring presence (lines 107-111). This aligns with the Romantic philosophy of nature as a vital force that shapes human understanding and fosters a sense of awe and wonder.
Literary Works Similar to “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
- “Kubla Khan” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: Like Wordsworth’s poem, “Kubla Khan” explores the themes of nature, imagination, and the sublime. Coleridge’s vivid imagery and contemplation of the natural world resonate with the Romantic ideals present in Wordsworth’s work.
- “To Autumn” by John Keats: Keats’ poem celebrates the beauty and bounty of nature, much like Wordsworth’s reflections on the landscape in “Tintern Abbey.” Both poets convey a deep appreciation for the natural world and its ability to evoke profound emotions in the human spirit.
- “The Prelude” by William Wordsworth: This autobiographical poem by Wordsworth shares similarities with “Tintern Abbey” in its exploration of memory, reflection, and the relationship between the individual and nature. Both works delve into the poet’s personal experiences and philosophical musings.
- “Ode to a Nightingale” by John Keats: Keats’ ode grapples with themes of mortality, beauty, and the transcendent power of art and nature. Like Wordsworth’s poem, it reflects on the fleeting nature of human existence and the enduring allure of the natural world.
- “The Rime of the Ancient Mariner” by Samuel Taylor Coleridge: While different in form and narrative structure, Coleridge’s epic poem shares thematic similarities with “Tintern Abbey.” Both works explore the spiritual and moral dimensions of human experience, as well as the interconnectedness between humanity and the natural world.
Suggested Readings for Further Analysis of “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
Books:
- Abrams, M. H. Natural Supernaturalism: Tradition and Revolution in Romantic Literature. Norton, 1971. (This book explores the concept of the Sublime in Romantic literature, a key theme in Wordsworth’s poem.)
- Levinson, Marjorie. The Romantic Imagination. Harvard University Press, 1986. (This book provides a broad overview of Romanticism and its influence on poetry, including Wordsworth’s work.)
- Wu, Duncan. Romanticism: An Anthology. Blackwell Publishing, 1994. (This anthology includes critical essays on Wordsworth and “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey.”)
Articles:
- Hadley, Karen. “The Commodification of Time in Wordsworth’s ‘Tintern Abbey.’” Studies in English Literature, 1500-1900, vol. 42, no. 4, 2002, pp. 693–706. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/1556292. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
- Brier, Peter A. “Reflections on Tintern Abbey.” The Wordsworth Circle, vol. 5, no. 1, 1974, pp. 4–6. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/24041922. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
- Rader, Melvin. “The Transcendentalism of William Wordsworth.” Modern Philology, vol. 26, no. 2, 1928, pp. 169–90. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/433875. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
- Smith, Lyle H. “Reading ‘Something’ in ‘Tintern Abbey.’” Christianity and Literature, vol. 45, no. 3/4, 1996, pp. 303–17. JSTOR, http://www.jstor.org/stable/44312456. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Websites:
- The Wordsworth Trust: https://wordsworth.org.uk/about-us/about-the-wordsworth-trust/ (This website offers a wealth of resources on Wordsworth and his poetry, including scholarly articles and educational materials.)
- The Poetry Foundation: 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 (This website provides an analysis of the poem, along with biographical information on Wordsworth.)
- The Victorian Web: https://victorianweb.org/previctorian/misc/romanticov.html (This website offers a helpful overview of Romantic nature poetry, which provides context for understanding Wordsworth’s work.)
Representative Quotes from “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth
| Quote | Context | Theorization |
| “And I have felt / A presence that disturbs me with the joy / Of elevated thoughts; a sense sublime / Of something far more deeply interfused” | The speaker reflects on the profound emotional and spiritual experiences they have had in the natural landscape. They describe feeling a sense of awe and wonder at the sublime presence that permeates the world around them. | This quote highlights the speaker’s transcendental experience of nature, emphasizing the spiritual and emotional depth found in the natural world. It suggests that nature is not merely a physical entity but also a source of profound spiritual connection and enlightenment. |
| “With tranquil restoration:—feelings too / Of unremembered pleasure: such, perhaps, / As have no slight or trivial influence / On that best portion of a good man’s life” | The speaker reflects on the restorative power of nature, describing how moments spent in the natural world have brought them peace and rejuvenation. They suggest that even fleeting moments of pleasure and contentment can have a profound and lasting impact on one’s well-being and character. | This quote underscores the therapeutic effect of nature on the human spirit, implying that immersion in the natural world can provide solace and renewal. It suggests that the simple joys found in nature contribute significantly to a person’s overall happiness and moral development. |
| “Therefore am I still / A lover of the meadows and the woods / And mountains; and of all that we behold / From this green earth” | Here, the speaker reaffirms their deep affection for the natural world, expressing a profound connection to the landscape. They declare their love for the meadows, woods, and mountains, emphasizing their appreciation for all aspects of the Earth’s beauty and wonder. | This quote encapsulates the speaker’s reverence for nature and their belief in its intrinsic value and significance. It suggests that the speaker finds spiritual fulfillment and joy in the simple yet profound beauty of the natural world, fostering a sense of harmony and connection with the Earth. |
| “That though the radiance which was once so bright / Be now forever taken from my sight. / Though nothing can bring back the hour / Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower” | The speaker reflects on the passage of time and the transient nature of human experience. They acknowledge the inevitability of change and the loss of youthful innocence and wonder. Despite this, they express a sense of acceptance and resignation, recognizing the impossibility of reclaiming past moments of beauty and joy. | This quote captures the theme of transience and loss, highlighting the speaker’s awareness of the fleeting nature of life and its precious moments. It suggests a poignant acceptance of the passage of time and the impermanence of human existence, encouraging a deeper appreciation for the present moment. |
| “That on the banks of this delightful stream / We stood together; and that I, so long / A worshipper of Nature, hither came / Unwearied in that service” | The speaker reminisces about past experiences shared with a companion in the natural landscape. They recall moments spent together by the stream, emphasizing their enduring devotion to nature and their unwavering commitment to experiencing its beauty and wonder. | This quote emphasizes the speaker’s deep emotional connection to nature and their sense of kinship with the Earth. It suggests that the speaker finds solace and companionship in the natural world, viewing it as a source of spiritual nourishment and emotional sustenance throughout their life’s journey. |