Extract from The Prelude (1850) (Edexcel GCSE English Literature): Revision Notes

Extract from The Prelude (1850)

"Extract from The Prelude" by William Wordsworth

Context

William Wordsworth was a major English Romantic poet whose work often focused on nature and the individual's connection to it. "The Prelude" is his autobiographical epic poem, exploring his own development and the profound influence of nature on his life. This extract captures a pivotal moment of awe and fear experienced during a boat ride on a lake.

The Poem

One summer evening (led by her) I found A little boat tied to a willow tree Within a rocky cove, its usual home. Straight I unloosed her chain, and stepping in Pushed from the shore. It was an act of stealth And troubled pleasure, nor without the voice Of mountain-echoes did my boat move on; Leaving behind her still, on either side, Small circles glittering idly in the moon, Until they melted all into one track Of sparkling light. But now, like one who rows, Proud of his skill, to reach a chosen point With an unswerving line, I fixed my view Upon the summit of a craggy ridge, The horizon's utmost boundary; far above Was nothing but the stars and the grey sky. She was an elfin pinnace; lustily I dipped my oars into the silent lake, And, as I rose upon the stroke, my boat Went heaving through the water like a swan; When, from behind that craggy steep till then The horizon's bound, a huge peak, black and huge, As if with voluntary power instinct, Upreared its head. I struck and struck again, And growing still in stature the grim shape

← Personification

← Imagery

← Simile

← Metaphor

Towered up between me and the stars, and still, For so it seemed, with purpose of its own And measured motion like a living thing, Strode after me. With trembling oars I turned, And through the silent water stole my way Back to the covert of the willow tree; There in her mooring-place I left my bark, - And through the meadows homeward went, in grave And serious mood; but after I had seen That spectacle, for many days, my brain Worked with a dim and undetermined sense Of unknown modes of being; o'er my thoughts There hung a darkness, call it solitude Or blank desertion. No familiar shapes Remained, no pleasant images of trees, Of sea or sky, no colours of green fields; 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.

← Repetition

5 quotes + analysis to achieve a grade 9

1. Personification: "One summer evening (led by her)"

• Analysis: Nature is personified as a guiding force, indicating its powerful influence over the speaker. This personification establishes the connection and respect the poet feels towards nature.

2. Imagery: "Small circles glittering idly in the moon"

• Analysis: The imagery of "glittering circles" on the water creates a serene and beautiful picture, reflecting the tranquillity and enchanting quality of nature. It sets the scene for the contrast that follows.

3. Simile: "Went heaving through the water like a swan"

• Analysis: The simile compares the movement of the boat to a swan, suggesting grace and ease. This peaceful image contrasts sharply with the speaker's later feelings of fear and awe.

4. Metaphor: "The horizon's bound, a huge peak, black and huge"

• Analysis: The peak is described metaphorically as a boundary and an imposing figure, highlighting its overwhelming presence and the sense of awe it inspires in the speaker.

5. Repetition: "No familiar shapes / Remained, no pleasant images of trees"

• Analysis: The repetition of "no" emphasises the loss of familiarity and comfort, reflecting the speaker's sense of disorientation and fear. It underscores the dramatic shift from tranquillity to terror.

Form & Structure Points

• Blank Verse: The poem is written in unrhymed iambic pentameter, which reflects natural speech while providing a formal structure.
• Enjambment: The use of enjambment creates a flowing, continuous movement, mirroring the speaker's journey and the natural flow of the narrative.
• Contrast: The poem contrasts serene and awe-inspiring images to highlight the profound impact of nature on the speaker's emotions.

Example Paragraph for a Grade 9 Answer:

In "The Prelude," Wordsworth explores nature's impact through personification and vivid imagery. The personification of nature as a guide in "One summer evening (led by her)" shows its influence on the speaker. Imagery like "Small circles glittering idly in the moon" creates a serene picture, highlighting nature's beauty. The simile "Went heaving through the water like a swan" contrasts this tranquillity with the later fear and awe described in "The horizon's bound, a huge peak, black and huge." Repetition in "No familiar shapes / Remained, no pleasant images of trees" emphasises the shift from peace to terror. Through these devices, Wordsworth conveys the profound and sometimes overwhelming impact of nature...