Wordsworth's The Prelude: Interpretation & Analysis
What is Wordsworth’s ‘The Prelude’
about?
Knowledge
‘The Prelude’ is an autobiographical poem written by the Romantic poet
Wordsworth. This extract explores a scene where, as a child, he stole a
boat and went rowing, and the impact this had on him.
Skills:
Close reading of the poem, focussed on meaning and content.
Understanding:
Annotate your anthology to demonstrate your understanding.
This is an extract from a longer poem. The extract of the poem
in the anthology can be divided into four main sections.
1)
On a summer evening the narrator finds a boat tied to a tree. He
unties the boat and takes it out on a lake.
2)
The narrator feels happy and confident. The scenery seems
beautiful at first.
3)
Eventually, a mountain appears over the horizon. The narrator is
scared of its size and power.
4)
The narrator goes home and reflects on how his view of nature
has changed.
Identify the points at which each of these
‘sections’ begin and end, and annotate
the poem, explaining what’s going on.
How is Wordsworth’s ‘The Prelude’
written?
Knowledge
Wordsworth writes in a long continuous form, but there are clear shifts in
tone and attitude. He also uses clear language devices.
Skills:
Close reading of the poem, focussed on language and structure.
Understanding:
Annotate your anthology to demonstrate your understanding.
...a huge peak, black and huge,
As if with voluntary power instinct,
Upreared its head...
For so it seemed, with purpose of its own
And measured motion like a living thing,
Strode after me.
Identify the language device Wordsworth uses to
describe the mountain. Explain what impression
this gives the reader, and why Wordsworth did it.
Identify words and phrases from the
first two ‘sections’ of the poem which
create a positive, upbeat mood.
Identify words and phrases from the
third and fourth ‘sections’ and explore
how they create a very different
atmosphere.
‘…Small circles glittering idly in the moon,
Until they melted all into one track
Of sparkling light...’
‘...o'er my thoughts
There hung a darkness, call it solitude
Or blank desertion…’
Explain how Wordsworth uses the imagery of light
and darkness to express his views.
The Prelude is an epic poem written in fourteen
sections, or books. It is an extended first-person
narrative depicting key moments and turning
points in Wordsworth’s life. The use of blank
verse (iambic pentameter which does not rhyme)
makes it seem serious and important, because
this was the style used by Ancient Greek and Latin
classical texts, and is seen as “the most important
and influential form of English poetry since the
16
th
century.”
Why
was Wordsworth’s ‘The Prelude’
written?
Knowledge
Wordsworth uses his poetry to talk about his views on society and the
world around him.
Skills:
Link contextual factors to textual details.
Understanding:
Annotate your anthology to demonstrate your understanding.
As a Romantic poet, Wordsworth was
interested in the idea that nature was more
powerful than humans, and that it could
profoundly impact people’s lives. It clearly
impacted his own life.
Find some evidence of this view in the poem.
How are ‘London’ and ‘The Prelude’
similar?
Knowledge
Both writers do a good job of ‘painting a picture’ and creating a vivid
scene for their readers.
Skills:
Make connections between the two poems.
Understanding:
Write a fifteen minute essay response to the comparison question.
Compare how Wordsworth and Blake use
language to create clear images of their
experiences for the reader.
Delve into Wordsworth's The Prelude through a detailed analysis of language, structure, and historical context. Explore key themes and poetic devices to uncover the poet's profound impact on readers.
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Presentation Transcript
Clear and intelligent interpretation of the poems Clear and precise comparison of the poems Select a wide range of quotations which justify your points Analyse the poets use of language Analyse the poets use of structure Clearly explain the effects on the reader Use subject specific terminology A03 (6 marks) A01 (12 marks) A02 (12 marks) Relate the poems to their historical and social contexts
What is Wordsworths The Prelude about? Knowledge The Prelude is an autobiographical poem written by the Romantic poet Wordsworth. This extract explores a scene where, as a child, he stole a boat and went rowing, and the impact this had on him. Skills: Close reading of the poem, focussed on meaning and content. Understanding: Annotate your anthology to demonstrate your understanding.
This is an extract from a longer poem. The extract of the poem in the anthology can be divided into four main sections. 1) On a summer evening the narrator finds a boat tied to a tree. He unties the boat and takes it out on a lake. 2) The narrator feels happy and confident. The scenery seems beautiful at first. 3) Eventually, a mountain appears over the horizon. The narrator is scared of its size and power. 4) The narrator goes home and reflects on how his view of nature has changed. Identify the points at which each of these sections begin and end, and annotate the poem, explaining what s going on. Clear and intelligent interpretation of the poems Select a wide range of quotations which justify your points A01
How is Wordsworths The Prelude written? Knowledge Wordsworth writes in a long continuous form, but there are clear shifts in tone and attitude. He also uses clear language devices. Skills: Close reading of the poem, focussed on language and structure. Understanding: Annotate your anthology to demonstrate your understanding.
...a huge peak, black and huge, As if with voluntary power instinct, Upreared its head... For so it seemed, with purpose of its own And measured motion like a living thing, Strode after me. Identify the language device Wordsworth uses to describe the mountain. Explain what impression this gives the reader, and why Wordsworth did it. Analyse the poets use of language Clearly explain the effects on the reader Use subject specific terminology A02
Identify words and phrases from the first two sections of the poem which create a positive, upbeat mood. Identify words and phrases from the third and fourth sections and explore how they create a very different atmosphere. Analyse the poets use of language Clearly explain the effects on the reader Use subject specific terminology A02
Small circles glittering idly in the moon, Until they melted all into one track Of sparkling light... Explain how Wordsworth uses the imagery of light and darkness to express his views. ...o'er my thoughts There hung a darkness, call it solitude Or blank desertion Analyse the poets use of language Clearly explain the effects on the reader Use subject specific terminology A02
The Prelude is an epic poem written in fourteen sections, or books. It is an extended first-person narrative depicting key moments and turning points in Wordsworth s life. The use of blank verse (iambic pentameter which does not rhyme) makes it seem serious and important, because this was the style used by Ancient Greek and Latin classical texts, and is seen as the most important and influential form of English poetry since the 16thcentury. Analyse the poets use of structure Use subject specific terminology Relate the poems to their historical and social contexts A02 A03
Whywas Wordsworths The Prelude written? Knowledge Wordsworth uses his poetry to talk about his views on society and the world around him. Skills: Link contextual factors to textual details. Understanding: Annotate your anthology to demonstrate your understanding.
As a Romantic poet, Wordsworth was interested in the idea that nature was more powerful than humans, and that it could profoundly impact people s lives. It clearly impacted his own life. Find some evidence of this view in the poem. A03 Relate the poems to their historical and social contexts
How are London and The Prelude similar? Knowledge Both writers do a good job of painting a picture and creating a vivid scene for their readers. Skills: Make connections between the two poems. Understanding: Write a fifteen minute essay response to the comparison question.
Compare how Wordsworth and Blake use language to create clear images of their experiences for the reader. A01 Clear and precise comparison of the poems
