lines written in early spring essay

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Lines Written in Early Spring Summary & Analysis by William Wordsworth

• Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis
• Poetic Devices
• Vocabulary & References
• Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme
• Line-by-Line Explanations

"Lines Written in Early Spring" is English Romantic poet William Wordsworth's meditation on the harmony of nature—and on humanity's failure to follow nature's peaceful example. In the poem, written in 1798 and published in Wordsworth's and Coleridge's Lyrical Ballads , a speaker reclines in a lovely grove on a spring morning. The joy he perceives in the natural world, and his belief that his own soul is somehow intimately connected to that joy, leads him to mourn "what man has made of man"—in other words, the cruelty, selfishness, and fighting that characterize humanity. The poem argues that while humans are part of nature, they sure don't act like it.

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The Full Text of “Lines Written in Early Spring”

1 I heard a thousand blended notes,

2 While in a grove I sate reclined,

3 In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

4 Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

5 To her fair works did Nature link

6 The human soul that through me ran;

7 And much it grieved my heart to think

8 What man has made of man.

9 Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

10 The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;

11 And ’tis my faith that every flower

12 Enjoys the air it breathes.

13 The birds around me hopped and played,

14 Their thoughts I cannot measure:—

15 But the least motion which they made

16 It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

17 The budding twigs spread out their fan,

18 To catch the breezy air;

19 And I must think, do all I can,

20 That there was pleasure there.

21 If this belief from heaven be sent,

22 If such be Nature’s holy plan,

23 Have I not reason to lament

24 What man has made of man?

“Lines Written in Early Spring” Summary

“lines written in early spring” themes.

Humanity vs. Nature

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Line-by-Line Explanation & Analysis of “Lines Written in Early Spring”

I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sate reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran;

And much it grieved my heart to think What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes.

Lines 13-16

The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure:— But the least motion which they made It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

Lines 17-20

The budding twigs spread out their fan, To catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there.

Lines 21-24

If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan, Have I not reason to lament What man has made of man?

“Lines Written in Early Spring” Symbols

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“Lines Written in Early Spring” Poetic Devices & Figurative Language

Alliteration.

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Personification

Rhetorical question, “lines written in early spring” vocabulary.

Select any word below to get its definition in the context of the poem. The words are listed in the order in which they appear in the poem.

• Primrose tufts
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Form, Meter, & Rhyme Scheme of “Lines Written in Early Spring”

Rhyme scheme, “lines written in early spring” speaker, “lines written in early spring” setting, literary and historical context of “lines written in early spring”, more “lines written in early spring” resources, external resources.

Wordsworth at 250 — Read about a recent celebration of Wordsworth's 250th birthday. He's still one of the world's best-known and best-loved poets in the world!

A Short Film Based on the Poem — Watch a recent short film interpretation of the poem (and hear it read in a thick Scottish accent).

Wordsworth's Life and Work — Read a short biography of Wordsworth, and find links to more of his poems.

Lyrical Ballads — Check out the famous collection in which this poem first appeared.

Wordsworth's Creative Process — Watch a short reenactment of Wordsworth writing one of his most famous poems—including some background on his collaboration with his sister Dorothy, from whose journals he took a lot of his images.

LitCharts on Other Poems by William Wordsworth

A Complaint

A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal

Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802

Expostulation and Reply

Extract from The Prelude (Boat Stealing)

It Is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free

I Travelled Among Unknown Men

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey

London, 1802

My Heart Leaps Up

Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room

Ode: Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood

She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways

She was a Phantom of Delight

The Solitary Reaper

The Tables Turned

The World Is Too Much With Us

Three Years She Grew in Sun and Shower

To a Snowdrop

We Are Seven

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Lines Written in Early Spring

By William Wordsworth

‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ by William Wordsworth is a beautiful landscape poem that is largely concerned with nature.

William Wordsworth

Nationality: English

He was England's Poet Laureate from 1843 until his death in 1850.

Key Poem Information

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Central Message: Nature is incredibly impactful and highly important to one's understanding of the world.

Themes: Beauty , Nature

Speaker: Wordsworth

Emotions Evoked: Contentment , Enjoyment

Poetic Form: Quatrain

Time Period: 19th Century

Wordsworth engages with images that he cared deeply about, those of spring and nature more generally, in this well-loved poem.

Poem Analyzed by Elise Dalli

B.A. Honors Degree in English and Communications

In 1798, William Wordsworth, poet of ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’, was to publish a volume of poetry known as ‘ Lyrical Ballads ‘ with his then-friend Samuel Taylor Coleridge. In 1802, they published this volume again, this time with a preface written by William Wordsworth himself, wherein he attempted to explain the reasoning for writing his poetry. He wrote, ‘what is a Poet? He is a man speaking to men’, a movement away from an idealized notion of the poet having some higher aim in life and some God-ordained talent to write to educate others.

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Explore Lines Written in Early Spring

• 3 Structure
• 4 Literary Devices
• 5 Analysis, Stanza by Stanza
• 6 Historical Background
• 7 Wordsworth’s Lyrical Ballads
• 8 Similar Poetry

‘ Lines Written in Early Spring ‘ by William Wordsworth  is a landscape poem that is largely concerned with nature. The unnamed narrator lounges underneath a tree in the wilderness and contemplates the changes that society has undergone around him.

As the poet sits there and muses on nature, its beauty, and its seamless existence, his thoughts turn briefly to the misery of man, and to the miseries that they wrought on each other. At the time of writing, the French Revolution was raging through France, a cultural shock that was to provide the British literary society with enough fodder to last them for years – and William Wordsworth was no exception to the rule. Stunned by the cruelty and the callousness of French society, he and other Romantics wrote primarily to try and take back the world from the brink that it had been pushed to during the so-called age of enlightenment .  ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ was one such poem.

Wordsworth’s themes in  ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’  are nature, spirituality, and peace. Throughout this poem, the poet, who is very likely the speaker , observes the natural world around him. he discusses how impactful the images of nature are on his state of mind. he was in a “sweet mood ”. But, this pleasant mood leads him to deeper thoughts, those associated with the nature of humankind, and what has become of the human soul/spirit. He mourns over what man has done to man in the face of Nature which contains all of us. The speaker knows that although he doesn’t have answers to many of his questions he can take pleasure from the world around him.

‘Lines Written in Early Spring’  is a six stanza poem that is separated into sets of four lines, known as quatrains . These quatrains follow a simple and mostly consistent rhyme scheme of ABAB , changing end sounds from stanza to stanza. There are a few moments in which the rhymes are closer to half-rhymes than full. For example, “notes” and “thoughts” in the first stanza.

In regards to the meter , Wordsworth uses iambic tetrameter in the first three lines of each stanza and then transitions into iambic trimeter in the final, fourth line of each stanza. The first three lines of each stanza all contain (there are a few moments where the stresses are up for interpretation or transition stresses) four sets of two beats. The first of these is unstressed and the second is stressed. The final stanza loses one metrical foot meaning that it only contains three sets of two beats.

Literary Devices

Wordsworth makes use of several literary devices in  ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’.  These include but are not limited to alliteration , enjambment , and imagery . The latter is perhaps the most important technique at work in the poem. it can be seen from the first line to the last. The poet taps into a variety of human senses in order to accurately and vividly depict the landscape he’s seeing.

Alliteration and enjambment are important and common techniques in poetry. The first can be seen through the repetition of the same sound at the beginning of multiple lines. For example, “sweet” and “sad” in lines three and four of the first stanza.

Enjambment can be seen in the transition between lines one and two of the second stanza as well as lines three and four of the fourth stanza.

Analysis, Stanza by Stanza

I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sate reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

Wordsworth has a renowned reputation as the poet of nature. In his body of work, Nature assumes a personality , an almost divine spirit that permeates all objects. To be close to nature, Wordsworth philosophized, was to be close to God; and while there were other poems of nature that were prevalent throughout the Romantic era , it is Wordsworth who springs most readily to mind.

In the first quatrain , the divinity of Nature occurs in the phrase ‘a thousand blended notes’, implying an almost-pervasive presence of the natural, something that is akin to the omnipotence shown by God.

To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think What man has made of man.

The second quatrain moves briefly away from Nature to reminisce on the misery that other humans have caused each other since time immemorial. The poet, however, takes a moment to state that Nature is linked to humanity through the very idea of a soul; that Nature’s soul is not that different from humanity, and that, although it has been forgotten by the rest of the world, it is man’s natural state to be close to Nature. This was one of Wordsworth’s principle philosophies: that it was man’s innate state to be close to nature.

Stanza Three

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And ’tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes.

In this quatrain, the presence of nature as a living thing strikes again, this time in the movement verbs used – ‘trailed’, for the periwinkle; ‘breathes’ for the flowers. Throughout ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ , Wordsworth does his best to create the idea of a living, breathing world that is only a fraction removed from humanity.

Stanza Four

The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure:— But the least motion which they made It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

Once more, the presence of movement draws a stark contrast with the immobile poet – it is nature that draws the reader’s attention, so much has been said about it that it renders the speaker-poet nearly a non-entity. He has no presence in the poem; no thoughts, no personality, no ideas. His world is subsumed by the stronger one of nature.

Stanzas Five and Six

The budding twigs spread out their fan, To catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there. If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature’s holy plan, Have I not reason to lament What man has made of man?

Wordsworth ends ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ with the same lament that was mentioned earlier: ‘have I not reason to lament /what man has made of man?’ Throughout the poem, there was the attempt by Nature to heal the injured soul of the poet-speaker; near the end, despite the best efforts of Nature herself, the poet-speaker’s spirits are still melancholy and low thus negating the healing effect that Wordsworth claimed nature possessed. It ends on a somber, sad note; the world of nature, untouched by the miseries of humanity, continues on while the human soul, bound in its rigid cage of mortality and reason, is left behind to experience the misery of the human world.

Historical Background

Wordsworth wrote ‘Lines Written in Early Spring’ on a walk near the village of Alford. Wordsworth was an ardent walker, and often composed his poems on the move, or wrote them about the scenes of nature that he witnessed.

He supported the French Revolution and had concerns about the way that civilization was going, and the things that humans were doing to each other.

Wordsworth’s Lyrical Ballads

Wordsworth’s ‘Lyrical Ballads’ was received well, and the reviews mostly erred on the side of positive, but it was only in the later years that ‘ Lyrical Ballads’  reached the acclaim of being the first published volume in the changing face of British literature and the herald to English Romanticism .

In the preface to the 1802 ‘Lyrical Ballads ,’ Wordsworth wrote:

The principal object, then, proposed in these Poems was to choose incidents and situations from common life, and to relate or describe them, throughout, as far as was possible in a selection of language really used by men, and, at the same time, to throw over them a certain coloring of imagination, whereby ordinary things should be presented to the mind in an unusual aspect; and, further, and above all, to make these incidents and situations interesting by tracing in them, truly though not ostentatiously, the primary laws of our nature: chiefly, as far as regards the manner in which we associate ideas in a state of excitement.

Similar Poetry

Wordsworth wrote many other poems that could be counted as similar in imagery and themes to this one. Nature was one of the major focuses of his poetic work as it was and still is of many other poets. Readers can also enjoy Wordsworth’s poems such as:

• ‘It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free’
• ‘My Heart Leaps Up’

Other poems on similar topics include:

• ‘Patience Taught by Nature’   by Elizabeth Barrett Browning
• ‘Hymn to the Spirit of Nature’   by Percy Bysshe Shelley .

Also, make sure to check out our list of ten of the best nature poems .

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Thanks – I guess. Hope your teacher doesn’t read this!

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Glad to be of assistance.

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Dalli, Elise. "Lines Written in Early Spring by William Wordsworth". Poem Analysis , https://poemanalysis.com/william-wordsworth/lines-written-in-early-spring/ . Accessed 16 August 2024.

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“Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth: A Critical Analysis

“Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth first appeared in 1798 in the collection Lyrical Ballads, a collaborative project with Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

Introduction: “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

Table of Contents

“Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth first appeared in 1798 in the collection Lyrical Ballads , a collaborative project with Samuel Taylor Coleridge. The poem embodies the quintessential qualities of Romantic poetry: a deep connection to nature, a focus on individual emotion and experience, and a sense of melancholy contemplation. Wordsworth’s simple yet evocative language paints a vivid picture of the natural world, while his musings on the contrast between nature’s harmony and humanity’s discord resonate with a timeless relevance. The poem’s rhythmic structure, with its alternating lines of iambic tetrameter and trimeter, creates a gentle, lyrical flow that enhances the contemplative mood.

Text: “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

I heard a thousand blended notes,

While in a grove I sate reclined,

In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link

The human soul that through me ran;

And much it grieved my heart to think

What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;

And ’tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,

Their thoughts I cannot measure:—

But the least motion which they made

It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,

To catch the breezy air;

And I must think, do all I can,

That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature’s holy plan,

Have I not reason to lament

What man has made of man?

Annotations: “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

Literary And Poetic Devices: “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

Themes: “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

• The interconnectedness of nature and the human soul: Wordsworth establishes a profound connection between the natural world and human emotions. The speaker describes how “Nature [linked] / The human soul that through me ran,” suggesting that the human spirit is deeply intertwined with the environment. The poem’s opening lines, with their description of “a thousand blended notes,” evoke a sense of harmonious unity in nature, which the speaker perceives as a source of both joy and sorrow. This theme reflects the Romantic belief in the power of nature to inspire and console the human spirit.
• The destructive impact of humanity on nature and itself: Wordsworth contrasts the harmony of the natural world with the discord created by human actions. The speaker laments, “What man has made of man,” suggesting that humanity has strayed from its natural state and caused suffering for itself and the environment. This theme reflects the Romantic critique of industrialization and urbanization, which were seen as disrupting the natural order and alienating humans from their true selves.
• The healing power of nature: Despite the speaker’s melancholy reflections on humanity’s shortcomings, the poem ultimately affirms the restorative power of nature. The speaker finds solace and inspiration in observing the simple pleasures of the natural world: the periwinkle trailing its wreaths, the birds hopping and playing, the budding twigs reaching for the air. This theme reflects the Romantic belief in the ability of nature to heal the human spirit and provide a refuge from the anxieties of modern life.
• The importance of faith and intuition: Throughout the poem, the speaker expresses a sense of wonder and reverence for the natural world, which he perceives as a source of divine inspiration. He affirms his “faith that every flower / Enjoys the air it breathes,” suggesting that even the smallest creatures possess an innate awareness of their place in the universe. This theme reflects the Romantic emphasis on intuition and individual experience as sources of knowledge and spiritual growth. The speaker’s lament for humanity’s failings is tempered by his belief in a higher purpose and a natural order that transcends human understanding.

Literary Theories and “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

Critical Questions about “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

• How does Wordsworth establish a contrast between the natural world and the human world in the poem?
• Wordsworth juxtaposes the harmony and joy of nature (“I heard a thousand blended notes,” “every flower Enjoys the air it breathes”) with the destructive and sorrowful actions of humanity (“What man has made of man”). This contrast highlights the disharmony and suffering that humans have brought upon themselves, lamenting the loss of connection to the natural world and its inherent goodness.
• What is the significance of the speaker’s emotional response to nature?
• The speaker’s emotional response to nature, shifting from pleasant thoughts to sadness, reveals a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between the human soul and the natural world. This emotional shift emphasizes the speaker’s grief over humanity’s destructive tendencies, suggesting that a reconnection with nature could lead to healing and a return to harmony.
• How does Wordsworth use imagery and figurative language to convey the beauty and vitality of nature?
• Wordsworth employs vivid imagery (“primrose tufts,” “green bower,” “budding twigs”) and personification (“every flower Enjoys the air it breathes”) to portray nature as a vibrant and joyful entity. This imagery emphasizes the inherent goodness and pleasure found in the natural world, contrasting it with the destructive nature of human actions.
• What is the central message or theme that Wordsworth conveys in “Lines Written in Early Spring”?
• The poem’s central theme is the lament over humanity’s disconnection from nature and the resulting suffering and disharmony. Wordsworth suggests that by reconnecting with the natural world and its inherent goodness, humans can find solace, healing, and a return to a more harmonious and fulfilling existence. This message serves as a reminder of the importance of cherishing and preserving the natural world for the well-being of both humanity and the planet.

Literary Works Similar to “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

• “The Solitary Reaper” by William Wordsworth Comment: Like “Lines Written in Early Spring,” this poem by Wordsworth reflects on the beauty of nature and its impact on the human spirit, capturing a moment of solitude and natural wonder.
• “To a Skylark” by Percy Bysshe Shelley Comment: Shelley’s poem also celebrates the beauty and vitality of nature, much like Wordsworth’s work, focusing on the joy and freedom embodied by a skylark’s song.
• “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth Comment: Another work by Wordsworth, this poem similarly explores the poet’s emotional response to nature, emphasizing the transformative power of natural beauty on the human psyche.
• “Ode to the West Wind” by Percy Bysshe Shelley Comment: Shelley’s ode is a powerful reflection on the role of nature in inspiring the human spirit and invoking change, echoing themes of nature’s influence seen in Wordsworth’s poetry.
• “Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth Comment: This poem reflects on the passage of time and memory through revisiting a natural landscape, much like “Lines Written in Early Spring,” emphasizing the enduring impact of nature on human experience.

Suggested Readings: “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

• Gill, Stephen. William Wordsworth: A Life . Oxford University Press, 1989.
• Roe, Nicholas. “The Politics of Nature: Wordsworth and Some Contemporaries.” Critical Inquiry , vol. 30, no. 1, 2003, pp. 229-260. https://doi.org/10.1086/380820
• LAKE, CRYSTAL B. “THE LIFE OF THINGS AT TINTERN ABBEY.” The Review of English Studies , vol. 63, no. 260, 2012, pp. 444–65. JSTOR , http://www.jstor.org/stable/23263673. Accessed 26 July 2024.
• Benziger, James. “Tintern Abbey Revisited.” PMLA , vol. 65, no. 2, 1950, pp. 154–62. JSTOR , https://doi.org/10.2307/459461. Accessed 26 July 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 26 July 2024.
• HARTMAN, GEOFFREY H. “‘Tintern Abbey.’” Wordsworth’s Poetry 1787-1814 , Yale University Press, 1971, pp. 26–30. JSTOR , http://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1bh4bg4.8. Accessed 26 July 2024.
• Nabholtz, John R. “The Integrity of Wordsworth’s ‘Tintern Abbey.’” The Journal of English and Germanic Philology , vol. 73, no. 2, 1974, pp. 227–38. JSTOR , http://www.jstor.org/stable/27707714. Accessed 26 July 2024.

Representative Quotations of “Lines Written in Early Spring” by William Wordsworth

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Lines Written in Early Spring ( AQA GCSE English Literature )

Revision note.

“Lines Written in Early Spring”

Each poetry anthology at GCSE contains 15 poems, and in your exam question you will be given one poem – printed in full – and asked to compare this printed poem to another from the anthology. As this is a closed-book exam, you will not have access to the second poem, so you will have to know it from memory. Fifteen poems is a lot to revise. However, understanding four things will enable you to produce a top-grade response:

• The meaning of the poem
• The ideas and messages of the poet 
• How the poet conveys these ideas through their methods
• How these ideas compare and contrast with the ideas of other poets in the anthology

Below is a guide to William Wordsworth’s poem “Lines Written in Early Spring”, from the Worlds and Lives anthology. It includes:

• Overview : a breakdown of the poem, including its possible meanings and interpretations
• Writer’s methods : an exploration of the poet’s techniques and methods
• Context : an exploration of the context of the poem, relevant to its themes
• What to compare it to : ideas about which poems to compare it to in the exam

“Lines Written in Early Spring” is part of the Worlds and Lives anthology of poems, and the exam question asks you to compare the ideas presented in two of these anthology poems, specifically related to the ideas of worlds and lives. The collection focuses on universal themes, which relate to our relationships and connections with places, as well as ideas about home and heritage.

It is therefore just as important that you learn how “Lines Written in Early Spring” compares and contrasts with other poems in the anthology as understanding the poem in isolation. See the section below on What to compare it to for detailed comparisons of “Lines Written in Early Spring” and other poems in the anthology.

In order to answer an essay question on any poem, it is vital that you understand what it is about. This section includes:

• The poem in a nutshell
• A “translation” of the poem, section by section
• A commentary of each of these sections, outlining William Wordsworth’s intention and message

“Lines Written in Early Spring” in a nutshell

“Lines Written in Early Spring”, written by the Romantic   poet William Worsdworth, explores complex emotions related to nature and humanity’s place in the world. During his close observations of his natural surroundings, he sees harmony and finds a personal connection with his environment. However, this leads him to consider whether humanity has forgotten this bond. 

“Lines Written in Early Spring” breakdown

“I heard a thousand blended notes,

While in a grove I sate reclined,

In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.” 

Translation

• The poem begins by describing the speaker’s experience as he sits in a grove
• Although the mood is positive and “sweet”, the speaker hears a variety of sounds 
• The speaker refers to pleasant thoughts that then bring sad thoughts to mind

Wordworth’s intention

• Wordsworth refers to the mixed emotions his narrator feels in the pastoral   setting
• The speaker suggests they are overwhelmed by thoughts and feelings
• The “blended sounds” refer to the contrasting emotions experienced:
• Positive thoughts about nature can also create negative ones

“To her fair works did Nature link

The human soul that through me ran;

And much it grieved my heart to think

What man has made of man.”

• The speaker considers how the beauty of nature connects the soul with the universe
• However, they are saddened to reflect on what humankind has done to itself

Wordsworth’s intention

• Wordsworth introduces ideas typically found in Romantic poetry:
• The poem raises ideas about human emotions and inner turmoil
• Wordsworth finds that nature brings him closer to the universe and his soul
• However, while finding a connection with nature, we are reminded of the impact of human beings in the world:
• Wordsworth may be referring to violence between “man” and “man”, or to society’s departure from their inner worlds and connection with nature

“Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;

And ’tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breathes.”

• The speaker describes what they see in the grove
• They describe the flowers (primroses and p eriwinkle ) and the green tree branches
• The speaker believes every flower enjoys being part of nature 
• Wordsworth’s Romantic poem expresses the beauty of the natural world:
• Wordsworth’s speaker observes how other living things feel a joyful connection with the universe, implying a sense of harmony within the natural elements

Lines 13–16

“The birds around me hopped and played,

Their thoughts I cannot measure:—

But the least motion which they made

It seemed a thrill of pleasure.”

• The speaker describes the birds as cheerful and playful
• The speaker says they cannot guess the thoughts of animals, but they seem happy in simple activities
• Wordsworth considers a disconnection between humans and animals as the speaker finds themself unable to communicate with them 
• Wordsworth’s speaker closely observes how other living things have the ability to find joy in the simplicity of life

Lines 17–20

“The budding twigs spread out their fan,

To catch the breezy air;

And I must think, do all I can,

That there was pleasure there.” 

• The speaker observes how the buds on a tree’s branches appear to surrender themselves to the elements
• The speaker believes that this action brings pleasure 
• Wordsworth uses n atural imagery to convey Romantic ideas:
• He implies there is pleasure in the natural elements
• He seems to suggest a sense of harmony between all living things  

Lines 21–24 

“If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature’s holy plan,

Have I not reason to lament

What man has made of man?”

Translation 

• The speaker summarises their observations with r eligious imagery
• They wonder if God has provided this experience to make humans question their role in the universe  
• The speaker says this brings reason to “lament” (to complain about man’s actions)
• Wordsworth concludes his poem with an unanswered question
• If it is God and Nature’s plan to make him consider humanity, then he has even more reason to find a connection with the universe
• The speaker asks if his reflections were created by nature or by God: 

Your exam question will ask you to compare how poets present ideas about worlds and lives in the poem given to you on the exam paper, and one other from the Worlds and Lives anthology. It is therefore a good idea to begin your answer using the wording of the question and summarising what the poem tells us about the nature of the world or individual lives. This demonstrates that you have understood the poem and the poet’s intention. For example, “Wordsworth presents ideas about…”

Writer’s methods

Although this section is organised into three separate sections – form, structure and language – it is always best to move from what the poet is presenting (the techniques they use; the overall form of the poem; what comes at the beginning, middle and end of a poem) to how and why they have made the choices they have. 

Focusing on the poet’s overarching ideas, rather than individual poetic techniques, will gain you far more marks. Crucially, in the sections below, all analysis is arranged by theme, and includes William Wordsworth’s intentions behind his choices in terms of:

The last thing examiners want to see is what they call “technique spotting”. This is when students use overly sophisticated terminology unnecessarily (e.g. “polysyndeton”; “epanalepsis”), without explaining how the use of this technique contributes to the meaning of the poem.

Knowing the names of sophisticated techniques will not gain you any more marks, especially if these techniques are only “spotted” and the poet’s intentions for this language is not explained. Instead of technique spotting, focus your analysis on the reasons why the poet is presenting their ideas in the way that they do: what is their message? What ideas are they presenting, or challenging?

The poem is in the form of a b allad , specifically a l yrical ballad . In this way, Wordsworth is able to create a h armonious tone to reflect the way the speaker finds sensory pleasure in their environment. The natural rhythm of speech (a typical convention of Romantic poetry) contributes to the theme of personal i ntrospective reflection. 

Wordsworth’s poetry often makes use of an Iambic meter in order to mirror the sound of speech. In “Lines Written in Early Spring”, Wordsworth destabilises the rhythm of speech in order to show the tensions in the speaker’s positive reflections. 

“Lines Written in Early Spring” is an exploration of humanity’s place in the natural world. Typical of Romantic poetry, Wordsworth describes nature positively as he examines distinctions and connections between humans and other living things. 

Try not to separate “language”, “form” and “structure” into three separate elements you need to include in your answer. To achieve top marks, you need to include an integrated comparison of the themes and ideas in this and the other poems in the anthology, and focus on the relevance of the method used by the poet to the ideas in the poem(s). This means it is better to structure your answer around an exploration of the ideas and themes in the poems, commenting on elements of language, form or structure that contribute to the presentation of these themes, rather than simply listing all of the key methods you think should be covered when writing about poetry (with no analysis or exploration of their relevance to the themes and ideas). Stay focused on the task, and then choose your evidence based on the focus of the question.

Examiners repeatedly state that context should not be considered as additional factual information: in this case, it is not random biographical information about William Wordsworth that is unrelated to the ideas in “Lines Written in Early Spring”. The best way to understand context is as the ideas and perspectives explored by Wordsworth in the poem that relate to worlds and lives. This section has therefore been divided into two relevant themes that Wordsworth explores:

• Belonging and connection

Relationships with the world  

Belonging and connection 

• "Lines Written in Early Spring" is a poem from Lyrical Ballads, a collection of poems written with fellow Romantic poet, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, in 1798:
• The collection focuses on the experiences and complex emotions of the ordinary individual
• Wordsworth employs simple language to depict this experience as everyday
• This poem focuses on a speaker’s sense of disconnection as he relaxes in a grove:
• Although he finds pleasure in the natural world, it reminds him of the lack of connection in the human world to which he belongs
• Typical of Romantic poets, Wordsworth prioritises emotion over reason:
• It can be argued that his poem reflects a response to an increasingly scientific world
• His poem focuses on pleasure and joy, which can be found in simple connections and interactions with other living things 
• In “Lines Written in Early Spring”, the speaker conveys inner turmoil as he observes nature:
• He is in a “sweet mood”, yet this brings “sad thoughts”
• He hears a “thousand blended notes”, the hyperbole suggesting he is overwhelmed
• The speaker considers that there is a difference between the way humans treat each other and how other living things work in harmony:
• The repetition of “what man has made of man” reinforces how “much it grieved” his heart to consider the lack of harmony between humans
• It is recorded that Wordsworth was horrified by the violence of the French Revolution
• Romantic poets feared that r ationalism could lead to a rejection of a spiritual world and, instead, a world that invalidates one’s emotions
• In “Lines Written in Early Spring”, the speaker ends the poem asking, “Have I not reason to lament/What man has made of man?”
• Here, he applies logic to an argument about man’s connection with each other
• Typical of Romantic poetry, “Lines Written in Early Spring” expresses a speaker’s awe of the natural world 
• He believes that humans are connected spiritually with the natural world: “To her fair works did Nature link/The human soul that through me ran”
• The speaker repeats how “pleasure” is gained from harmonious interaction between living things
• Romantic poetry is considered to be an artistic response to the I ndustrial Revolution
• Industrialisation saw the destruction of rural areas in favour of factories and buildings
• In this poem, Wordsworth uses a pastoral setting to contemplate man’s relationship with the natural world
• The use of religious language expresses devout respect for the natural world:
• The speaker considers it may be “Nature’s holy plan”, a “heaven sent” warning, to remind him of man’s relationship with the natural world

Remember, AO3 is only worth up to 6 marks in this question. You will be expected to demonstrate your understanding of the relationship between the poem and the context in which it was written in an integrated way throughout your answer. It is therefore important to focus on the key themes, and have a thorough knowledge of the cluster of poems. 

Context comes from the key word in the task, so your answer should emphasise the key themes. Writing a whole paragraph about Romantic attitudes is not an integrated approach, and will not achieve high marks.

What to compare it to

The essay you are required to write in your exam is a comparison of the ideas and themes explored in two of your anthology poems. It is therefore essential that you revise the poems together, in pairs, to understand how each poet presents ideas about worlds and lives in comparison to other poets in the anthology. Given that “Lines Written in Early Spring” explores the ideas of disconnected relationships between human beings and nature, the following comparisons are the most appropriate:

“Lines Written in Early Spring” and “In a London Drawing Room” 

“Lines Written in Early Spring” and “Like an Heiress”

• “Lines Written in Early Spring” and “With Birds You’re Never Lonely” 

For each pair of poems, you will find:

• The comparison in a nutshell
• Similarities between the ideas presented in each poem
• Differences between the ideas presented in each poem
• Evidence and analysis of these similarities and differences

You will be expected to not only explore this poem in depth, but to make perceptive comparisons to themes, language, form and structure used in other poems in the anthology that also comment on complex relationships and connections with personal and external worlds. It is therefore important that you have a thorough knowledge of all of the poems, rather than just memorising a series of quotations. It is also essential that you not only write about the named poem, but compare it to one other in the anthology. Only writing about the poem given on the paper will severely limit your marks.

Comparison in a nutshell:

Both William Wordsworth’s “Lines Written in Early Spring” and George Eliot’s “In a London Drawing Room” employ speakers who explore their feelings about their place in the world, especially in relation to their environment. Both poems examine how a disconnection from nature affects individuals negatively and takes joy and harmony from their lives. However, while Wordsworth sets his poem in a pleasant pastoral   setting, Eliot describes a dreary urban environment. 

Similarities:

Differences:

It is a good idea to outline your choice of second poem in your introduction to your response, with a clear overview of the overarching themes within both poems. You can then use the theme to move between both poems to provide the substance to illustrate your arguments. However, this does not mean that you cannot focus on one poem first, and then the other, linking ideas back to the main poem. You should choose whichever structure suits you best, as long as comparison is embedded and ideas for both texts are well-developed.

This is an effective comparative choice to explore individuals’ responses to their changing worlds. Both poets describe mixed emotions as their speakers observe their natural surroundings and reflect on humanity’s relationship with nature. However, William Wordsworth’s “Lines Written in Early Spring” depicts an idyllic, tranquil setting, while Grace Nichols sets her poem, “Like an Heiress”,  in a chaotic scene.

 Differences:

“Lines Written in Early Spring” and “With Birds You’re Never Lonely”

Both William Wordsworth’s “Lines Written in Early Spring” and Raymond Antrobus’s “With Birds You're Never Lonely” explore contrasts between the natural world and the world of humans. Both poems consider the significance of connecting with nature to find peace and harmony. While Wordsworth’s Romantic poem expresses the joy and harmony found in nature, Antrobus expresses the sense of isolation individuals feel in the urban world. 

You can choose whichever poem you feel you are able to make the most in-depth comparisons to in the exam. For example, you could choose to compare the presentation of individuals’ observations about their worlds in “Lines Written in Early Spring” and “Like an Heiress”. Or you might wish to explore the way poets examine connections and relationships in “Lines Written in Early Spring” and “With Birds You’re Never Lonely”. What is important is that you view the poems thematically, with a clear emphasis on worlds and lives. This will give you a better framework in which to write your response in the exam.

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Author: Sam Evans

Sam is a graduate in English Language and Literature, specialising in journalism and the history and varieties of English. Before teaching, Sam had a career in tourism in South Africa and Europe. After training to become a teacher, Sam taught English Language and Literature and Communication and Culture in three outstanding secondary schools across England. Her teaching experience began in nursery schools, where she achieved a qualification in Early Years Foundation education. Sam went on to train in the SEN department of a secondary school, working closely with visually impaired students. From there, she went on to manage KS3 and GCSE English language and literature, as well as leading the Sixth Form curriculum. During this time, Sam trained as an examiner in AQA and iGCSE and has marked GCSE English examinations across a range of specifications. She went on to tutor Business English, English as a Second Language and international GCSE English to students around the world, as well as tutoring A level, GCSE and KS3 students for educational provisions in England. Sam freelances as a ghostwriter on novels, business articles and reports, academic resources and non-fiction books.

Wordsworth's Poetical Works

By william wordsworth, wordsworth's poetical works summary and analysis of "lines written in early spring".

In this poem Wordsworth describes a bittersweet moment. The speaker reclines in a beautiful grove surrounded by the "blended notes" of nature, and yet, even as he enjoys the scene, it inspires a melancholy mood and the speaker begins to have dark thoughts about humanity:

I heard a thousand blended notes, While in a grove I sate reclined, In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

Nature has connected itself to the speaker's soul, leading him to sadly consider "What man has made of man." Even as he does this, however, he takes in the beautiful scene that surrounds him:

To her fair works did Nature link The human soul that through me ran; And much it grieved my heart to think What man has made of man. Through primrose tufts, in that green bower, The periwinkle trailed its wreaths; And 'tis my faith that every flower Enjoys the air it breathes. The birds around me hopped and played, Their thoughts I cannot measure: -- But the least motion which they made, It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

At the end of the poem the speaker looks more closely at the seemingly jubilant birds, plants, and other creatures of nature, trying to decide whether or not they are really full of pleasure. He decides that they are. In the last stanza, he asks whether, if it is true that nature is full of pleasure, he then has a good reason to be sad about "what man has made of man":

The budding twigs spread out their fan, To catch the breezy air; And I must think, do all I can, That there was pleasure there. If this belief from heaven be sent, If such be Nature's holy plan, Have I not reason to lament What man has made of man?

"Lines Written in Early Spring" has a rather simple form: it is composed of only six four-line stanzas, and is written in iambs with an abab rhyme scheme for each stanza. The simplicity of the poem is representative of the bulk of the rest of Wordsworth's works (and of most Romantic poetry). The simple words and style of the Romantic Movement came from a complete rejection of the flowery, lofty style that was popular in previous years.

The connection with nature in this poem is very apparent. Wordsworth strengthens the bond by placing the speaker in the middle of nature, all alone except for the plants and animals around him. He also personifies nature, giving her the ability to make decisions, to link herself to his soul, and to experience pleasure. Nature, in this poem, does everything right; it is man who has failed by rejecting nature.

Another interesting aspect of this poem is the fact that the perfection of nature saddens the speaker. Melancholy sets in almost immediately because of the striking contrast between nature and humanity. The speaker seems to feel that it is his responsibility to ponder the mistakes of humanity. This is especially evident in the question posed in the last stanza.

The speaker suggests that man can simultaneously be a part of nature and rational, in control of himself, and in control of his surroundings. The speaker is a thoughtful being, a philosopher of sorts, and is certainly reasonable, and yet he is at peace with nature in a way that would likely strike many of his contemporaries as odd.

Wordsworth’s Poetical Works Questions and Answers

The Question and Answer section for Wordsworth’s Poetical Works is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

To a Butterfly by William Wordsworth

D reminds him of forgotten days

Explain the philosophical, socio-cultural and religious concerns in the Tintern abbey

This is a pretty detailed question for this short space. You can actually find what you need at the GradeSaver link below:

https://www.gradesaver.com/wordsworths-poetical-works/study-guide/summary-lines-composed-a-few-miles-above-tintern-abbey

Differences and similarities between London and London 1802?

I know the poem London 1802. Is there a separate poem called only London?

Study Guide for Wordsworth’s Poetical Works

Wordsworth's Poetical Works study guide contains a biography of William Wordsworth, literature essays, quiz questions, major themes, characters, and a full summary and analysis.

• About Wordsworth's Poetical Works
• Wordsworth's Poetical Works Summary
• Character List

Essays for Wordsworth’s Poetical Works

Wordsworth's Poetical Works essays are academic essays for citation. These papers were written primarily by students and provide critical analysis of William Wordsworth's poetry and prose.

• Wordsworth and Blake: The Plight of Mankind
• Back to the Future: Wordsworth's "Ode to Duty" and "Elegiac Stanzas"
• The Union of Opposing Elements: Poems by Wordsworth and Coleridge
• The Connection between the Natural Scene and the Speaker's State of Mind in William Wordsworth's "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud"
• Blake and Wordsworth Versus Society

Lesson Plan for Wordsworth’s Poetical Works

• About the Author
• Study Objectives
• Common Core Standards
• Introduction to Wordsworth's Poetical Works
• Relationship to Other Books
• Bringing in Technology
• Notes to the Teacher
• Related Links
• Wordsworth's Poetical Works Bibliography

E-Text of Wordsworth’s Poetical Works

Wordsworth's Poetical Works e-text contains the full text of William Wordsworth's poetry and prose.

• Table of Contents
• A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal
• Composed Upon Westminster Bridge
• I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
• It Is a Beauteous Evening

Wikipedia Entries for Wordsworth’s Poetical Works

• Introduction

Lines Written in Early Spring

Lines written in early spring lyrics.

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Wordsworth was one of the ‘big six’ Romantic Poets (Shelley, Keats, Coleridge and Byron. A tenet of Romantic poetry is its focus on nature and man’s insignificance in comparison to the natural world. This was a subject of particular interest to Wordsworth.

It should be noted that life in the late 18th and early 19th Century life during the time of King George III, known — ironically given the terrible social conditions of the time — as the Romantic Era . The Romantics were also Pantheists , that is they believed that God was manifested in nature.

This poem appears in a collection published in 1802 entltled Lyrical Ballads . The principal object of the collection was to portray situations from common life, and to relate them in easily-understood language. At the same time the language should be compelling and ordinary things presented as extraordinary.

In this poem the unnamed narrator relaxes beneath a tree in the wilderness, and thinks about recent societal changes. The beauty around him is in contrast to the miseries humans suffer. At the time the French Revolution was raging and, in Britain, observers were stunned by the cruelty of French society. Wordsworth and other Romantics wrote primarily to try and take back the world from the brink.

Structure The poem comprises six quatrains , that is stanzas of four lines each. There is a regular ABAB rhyme scheme. The metrical rhythm is the same in each stanza. The first three lines are iambic tetrameters , that is four metrical feet or iambs per line, where a iamb is one unstressed followed by one stressed syllable. The fourth line in each stanza is iambic trimeter, that is three metrical feet per line. The effect is easy to listen to, accessible and rhythmic.

Language and Imagery The voice is that of a first person narrator who addresses the reader. The tone is sad and thoughtful, the language straightforward and accessible and the thoughts expressed intelligent and sensible.

The beauty of nature is contrasted with the sad state of humankind. In the third stanza, for example, the descriptive language is vivid and almost tactile. But the sadness of reality is never far away, exemplified in stanzas two and six. The detailed annotations provide deeper analysis.

Find answers to frequently asked questions about the song and explore its deeper meaning

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Poems & Poets

Lines Written in Early Spring

Source: The Longman Anthology of Poetry (Pearson, 2006)

Lines Written in Early Spring by William Wordsworth Research Paper

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
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Annotated Bibliography

Literary analysis.

The poem “Lines Written in Early Spring”, written by William Wordsworth, appeared for the first time in ‘Lyrical Ballads’. This was a cooperative attempt by Wordsworth and Coleridge in 1798, which is the clear expression of Romanticism in English Literature. When one tries to understand this poem, it can be seen that this poem is a lamentation of a naturalist who is worried of lose natural beauty. The theme of this poem is so close to the Romantic way of longing after the wonderful nature.

Shelach J. Squire points out that, when one tries to analyze Romanticism in English literature, especially in the poems of Wordsworth, it can be seen that the transformation of actual landscape to a literary landscape can change the attitude of human beings towards nature. “An analysis of English romanticism, Wordsworth’s poetry in particular, illustrates how the transformation of an actual landscape into a literary landscape helped change attitudes toward wilderness and natural beauty.” (Squire, p.237-247).

To the poet, nature is the best company and he loves to sit lonely in the lap of nature. When the poem begins, the poet is in a cheerful mood but when he thinks about the cruelty of human beings towards nature, his thoughts are followed by some sadness. Duncan Wu points out that Wordsworth was a poet who loved and admired nature. He used to accept inspiration from nature. For him, nature is the abode of love.

The real story behind the composition of this poem is that this poem is composed while Wordsworth was sitting by the side of a brook. “composed while I was sitting by the side of the brook that runs down the coomb ( in which stands the village of Holford) through the grounds of Alfoxden.” (Wu, p.374). It was in the village of Alford and the poet considered this place as a natural resort for him. Here, the poet used to enjoy the beauty of nature and contemplate the future of humanity.

In the first stanza, one can see the vivid description of the experience of being in the company of nature. Poet says that, while he was sitting under a grove, he happened to hear a melody of music. He was in a cheerful mood and was so happy to hear the music because happy thoughts were coming to his mind. It was momentary and some sad thoughts came to his mind. Here, one can see the contrast between nature’s pleasure and today’s state of mankind.

Chunping Dong Huaiyin Teachers College points out that the deep love of Wordsworth towards nature and human attitude towards nature can be identified from his short lyrics like Lines Written in Early Spring, The Daffodils, My Heart Leaps Up, etc. “Here we’d like to take a look at some of his poems on nature and the relationship between human beings and nature.” (Dong, p.10).

His themes ponder upon the themes like nature and the relationship between human beings and nature.

The next stanza describes Man as the part of nature not nature as the part of Man. From the part of Man, there must be self-realization to understand nature. Then the poet tries to describe different types of beautiful flowers growing at that place. There were bunches of primrose, blue creeper plants with flowers, and periwinkle. Here, every flower can enjoy the fragrance of the air.

James C. Mc Kusick thinks that Romantic poems are to be read from an ecological point of view. He further added that when one tries to understand the poem “Lines Written in Early Spring” by Wordsworth, this approach must be in mind. “reading of Wordsworth’s the” Lines Written in Early Spring “best exemplifies what this approach can accomplish.” (McKusick, p.34).

Next, the poet says about birds that are plating around him. They are in a playful mood, and the poet is unable to judge their mood. But their movement portrayed their mood. Then the poet describes the trees that are ready to enjoy the beauty of nature. The trees spread their branches to enjoy the pleasant breeze. Here, the poet says that there was only joy and happiness which is originated from nature.

J. Robert Barth and John L. Mahoney point out that modern readers may consider Wordsworth’s poem “Lines written in Early spring” as a scandal but these thoughts were of no use because these poems were able to withstand the common opinion. After all, the theme is ever fresh-the nature. “To modern readers Wordsworth’s” Lines Written in Early spring” have been a scandal, but they went beyond the common opinions of most advanced thinkers mainly with respect to plants.” (Barth and Mahoney, p.12).

In the last stanza of the poem, the poet says that, if this is the idea of god, if this is nature’s holy plan, there are so many reasons for me to lament the cruel deeds of human beings on Mother Nature. This question is asked to humanity and is an inquiry of what has happened with human beings or what we had done to ourselves. We the human beings had changed and this leads to the exploitation of nature. The beauty and happiness present in nature are divine. God’s plan is the communion of man with nature. If these two facts are true, the poet has a definite reason to lament the fate of humanity.

The theme of “Lines Written in Early Spring,” is of universal appeal and it sticks on to the idea and theme of Romanticism. The composition of the poem is to be considered as an attempt at a vivid description of nature. This poem is written in a thoughtful mood about the future of humanity. While composing this poem the poet was sitting by the side of a stream.

The poem is an attempt to contrast the happiness of natural objects with unhappiness experienced by man. Poet says that to ignore nature is to finish the scope of man’s happiness. The natural beauty of earth served as a bridge between the soul of man and god. The reason behind the suffering of Man is his drifting away from nature. Earlier the poet used to sit alone by the side of a stream. The place was gleaming with natural beauty. Birds were singing and playing. There were so many flowers that were dancing and trying to touch the sweet air. Some trees were trying to touch the sweet breeze with their branches. Here, the poet used to sit and contemplate.

After more than forty years, the poet happened to revisit the place once more. To his surprise, the natural beauty of that natural retreat was gone forever. When the poet asked the owner of that place about the reason for the depletion, he answered that he was no lover of nature. So he did not make any attempt to restore the beauty of that place. Then the poet asks himself and to the whole of humanity what happened to us and what we have done with ourselves.

The poet aims to make an awareness about the side effects of the exploitation of nature. It is not easy to restore natural beauty because once it is destroyed, it will be forever. So human beings must consider that even the meager attempt to exploit nature will result in harmful side effects.

The theme is so close to the themes of the poets of Romantic revival in English literature. This revival was an attempt in the literature to choose the themes of nature and the effects of human exploitation of nature. It can be considered as a lamentation of the current state of nature. William Wordsworth was considered as one of the main exponents of Romanticism in Literature.

The theme of the poet is longing after wonderful nature and to share with the divine joy of nature. God plans to make a communion of nature and Man. But Man is not ready to accept this divine gift from the god but is ready to exploit it. If we are ready to exploit nature, we must be ready to suffer the side effects of the same. In the poems on can see the poet’s love of simplicity, tenderness, and love of nature.

The romantic poets attempted to teach the basic lessons on love towards nature. So it can be seen that the theme of “Lines Written in Early Spring,” by William Wordsworth is an attempt to describe nature and as an investigation of the reason behind the unhappiness on human life in earth. Moreover, the poet contrasts the happiness of natural world with the grim state of humanity.

Barth, J. Robert., and Mahoney, John L. The fountain light. 2002. Web.

Dong, Chunping. Songs of Harmony on Wordsworth’s Nature Poems. US-China Foreign Language. 2005. Web.

McKusick, James. C. The return of the Nightingale. 2007. Web.

Squire, Shelach. J. Wordsworth and Lake District Tourism: Romantic Reshaping Of Landscape. Wiley Inter Science. Canadian Geographer. 32.3. 2008. Web.

Wu, Duncan. Notes. Romanticism. 2006. Web.

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Bibliography

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• December 7, 2023
• All Poems / GCSE AQA

Lines Written in Early Spring, William Wordsworth

FULL POEM - SCROLL DOWN FOR LINE-BY-LINE ANALYSIS​

LINE-BY-LINE ANALYSIS

I heard a thousand blended notes,

While in a grove I sate reclined,

Wordsworth sets a tranquil scene in this opening stanza, using sensory imagery of the ‘thousand blended notes’ to vividly portray the pleasing harmonies of the surrounding birdsong. The narrator is ‘sate reclined’ in peaceful solitude – a calming albeit isolated, hence potentially depressing, position to find themselves in. The contrast between the sense of unity in nature and the isolation of mankind is thereby evident in this opening couplet.

In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts

Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

There exists a seemingly unnatural juxtaposition between the narrator’s ‘sweet mood’ that brings them ‘sad thoughts’. As the poem progresses the reader learns that this arises from the realisation of how humanity pales in comparison to the natural world.

To her fair works did Nature link

The human soul that through me ran;

Wordsworth captures the greatness of Mother Nature through the personification ‘to her fair works’ that highlights the beauty it creates, that extends to the ‘human soul’ which runs through the body like blood, keeping us alive.

And much it grieved my heart to think

What man has made of man.

‘What man has made of man’ is a powerful, emotive statement, commentating on the widespread inhumane actions of mankind, to conclude this stanza. Its poignancy is heightened by the finality created by the ensuing caesura (the full stop marking the stanza’s conclusion). Such actions need not be specified, Wordsworth expects the reader to be well aware of the evils committed by humanity especially considering the poem’s coincidence with the French Revolution which involved France declaring war on Great Britain in 1793.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,

The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;

In this stanza, Wordsworth paints a majestically layered image of the surrounding nature that serves to convey its splendour.

And ’tis my faith that every flower

Enjoys the air it breathes.

The personification of the flowers’ breathing elevates them to human status, such that the narrator views them as no less significant than fellow humans. The fact the narrator perceives them to ‘enjoy the air’ they breathe describes how the natural world is content with its existence, unlike mankind whose selfish dissatisfaction results in the hate and conflict that Romantic poets including Wordsworth condemn. The narrator referencing his ‘faith’ in the natural world highlights the divine relationship between God and nature, one that is of greater integrity than that between God and mankind.

The birds around me hopped and played,

Their thoughts I cannot measure:—

‘Their thoughts I cannot measure’ describes the disconnect the narrator experiences between themselves and the surrounding natural world. This results from mankind’s alienation from religion which extends to God and nature which remain intertwined.

But the least motion which they made

It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

‘A thrill of pleasure’ is a scintillating phrase that, in hyperbolic fashion, emphasises the sheer satisfaction that the narrator garners from observing the birdlife around him, attempting to immerse themself in the natural world, despite its aforementioned disconnect with mankind.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,

To catch the breezy air;

And I must think, do all I can,

That there was pleasure there.

In this stanza, the narrator further illustrates the pleasant behaviour of the natural world, with the ‘twigs’ and ‘breezy air’ interacting harmoniously. The final couplet of this stanza replicates that of two stanzas prior. The repetition of such sentiments emphasise the disconnect between mankind, the narrator, and nature – the narrator ‘must think, do all [they] can’ and ‘have faith’ to empathise with the emotions of the natural world – it doesn’t come naturally.

If this belief from heaven be sent,

If such be Nature’s holy plan,

Wordsworth further solidifies the relationship between God and Mother Nature, the latter a physical manifestation of the former. The word ‘if’ commencing both lines creates a sense of uncertainty, reflecting the extent to which the narrator feels humanity is removed from ‘Nature’s holy plan’.

Have I not reason to lament

What man has made of man?

The poem concludes with this rhetorical question in which the morality of humanity is brought under scrutiny. ‘What man has made of man’ is a refrain, repeated from the second stanza, ending on an emotive tone which leaves the reader questioning the behaviour of themselves and those around them.

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Lines Written in the Early Spring Poem Summary & Explanation in English Class 11

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Table of Contents

Introduction

In the poem Lines Written in the Early Spring , William Wordsworth talks about the beauty of nature. He finds joy and pleasure in the scenery and creatures around him. However, such natural joy is nowhere to be found in man. The poet laments this gap that man has created between humanity and nature. This poem is written in six stanzas of four lines each. The rhyme scheme of each stanza is abab .

Stanza 1- 2

The poet says that he heard a thousand blended notes while he was sitting reclined in a grove. The blended notes here are the songs of various birds and the sounds of natural elements that have combined together into a beautiful melody. The poet was in that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts bring sad thoughts to the mind .

Therefore, although the atmosphere was sweet and happy, his happy thoughts led him to contemplative thoughts that make him sad. Nature linked the human soul that ran through the poet to her fair works or the beautiful things she had created. It brought much grief to the poet’s heart to think what man has made of man .

Stanza 3- 4

The poet tells us that periwinkle flowers were scattered in circles through bunches of primroses in a pleasant shady place under the trees. He believes that every flower enjoys the air it breathes . Therefore, beautiful creations of Nature such as flowers find joy even in the very air they breathe. They are happy to be alive.

Stanza 5- 6

The budding twigs spread themselves out like fans to catch the breezy air . The poet thinks that there was pleasure there too. Seeing such natural joy in everything around him, the poet believes that it might be heaven sent. Therefore, if this natural joy is Nature’s holy plan , the poet has reason to lament what man has made of man .

The poet is sad about the state of humanity because in distancing itself from nature, it has lost the natural joy that is part of Nature’s divine plan. Humanity has brought misery upon itself through its rejection of nature.

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William Wordsworth: Nature's Influence on Romantic Poetry

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Introduction

Early life and education.

Poetic Works and Contributions

Pantheistic beliefs, "lines written in early spring".

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• Poetry Analysis: William Shakespeare, William Wordsworth, Sylvia Plath Pages: 5 (1264 words)
• William Wordsworth's Connection to Nature and Poetry Pages: 4 (1171 words)
• Romantic Themes Used By William Wordsworth Pages: 3 (721 words)
• William Wordsworth: an Early Romantic Poet Pages: 3 (886 words)
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LINES WRITTEN IN EARLY SPRING

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Stylistic Analysis of Wordsworth's Lines Written in Early Spring

Essay by people   •  September 26, 2011  •  Essay  •  1,774 Words (8 Pages)  •  2,454 Views

Essay Preview: Stylistic Analysis of Wordsworth's Lines Written in Early Spring

Stylistic Analysis of Wordsworth's Lines Written in Early Spring

Abstract: in this paper, stylistic approaches are adopted to analyze Wordsworth's nature poem Lines Written in Early Spring. The poem is analyzed in the aspects of rhythm, stress, syntax and semantics , which combined with the content to make clear how Wordsworth contrasts the harmony of nature with the disharmony of human society.

Key Words: Wordsworth rhythm the stress syntax semantics

Wordsworth is one of the best-known English poets in literature history who spent his life in the Lake District of Northern England. His great contribution to English Romanticism is the Lyrical Ballads published in 1798 and the preface of the second edition of it in 1800, which is regarded as the manifest of English Romanticism. When many poets still wrote about ancient heroes in grandiloquent style, Wordsworth focused on the nature, children, the poor, common people, and used ordinary words to express his personal feelings, which is of revolutionary significance.

Wordsworth is famous for his nature poems. He believes that in nature, man's essential feelings can find better soil and can be better cultivated and strengthened. And he also thinks that man should find beauty, power and knowledge from nature. That is why he chose the beautiful Lake District where to spend almost all his life. Nature is also the inspiration for most of his poems. So in his nature poem, we find vivid descriptions of mountains, rivers, flowers and birds etc. which are full of colors and imaginations. At the same time, his nature poems also reveal his spontaneous joys and thoughts in seeing and hearing the creatures of nature, often with boyish enthusiasm, and contrast his love of nature and his dissatisfaction with human society.

All Wordsworth's concepts of Romanticism and nature are well stated in the poem Lines Written in Early Spring. Here the poet sits passively in a grove, enjoying birds, trees, and flowers. These "fair works" of nature, he feels, are linked to the "human soul," making him lament on the disharmony among human beings, which contrasts with the harmony of nature. In the preface of Lyrical Ballard, Wordsworth defined the poetry as "the spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling" arising from "emotions recollected in tranquility"(Norton: 163). The poem is just the result of recollections of the beautiful spring scenery and his emotions and thoughts provoked by the charm and harmony of nature. He offers a vivid and beautiful picture of early spring: flowers, birds, twigs and the breezy air, while observing the pleasure of nature, he laments the misery and disharmony of human society. In the poem, the perceived happiness and pleasure of the natural world and the grim state of mankind form an obvious and strong contrast. In fact both Wordsworth's use of language and rhythm help to build up such contrast, which reveals the poet's "spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling".

The poem consists of 6 stanzas, each stanza containing 4 lines. The basic rhythm is iambic tetrameter. Each stanza rhymes in couplet abab which is alternatively used. Thus the whole poem basically has strong and lively rhythmictiy indicating the early spring's bright and light foot, as if nature is dancing to a piece of music with quadruple time in the early spring. All the creatures of nature--the primrose, the green bower, the periwinkle, the hopping and playing birds, the twigs swinging in the breezy air are dancing in pleasure. Leech declaims that "rules in poetry are made only to be broken." (Leech: 12) And if the poem rhythm is all the same, the whole poem will be deadly and monotonous. What is more, the poet's gloomy thoughts of mankind's disharmony cannot have been indicated. A sensitive reader can easily find out that the rhythm changes somewhere. Firstly, the rhythm of each stanza's last line changes into iambic trimeter. This means that the rhythm becomes slower and heavier. It cannot deny that the form of language is closely related to the content. So let us take the content of the last line into consideration. Almost each stanza's last line is concerned with the thoughts of the poet. In the first two stanzas, "Bring sad thoughts to the mind" and "what man has made of man", they are obvious belong to the thoughts of the poet provoked by the beautiful nature. The next three stanzas' last line, though they seem to be the pleasure of nature, in fact it's the poet's mind that thinks them happy and at the same time, contrasting with his deeper dissatisfaction with human society. All these show the poet's sorrow deeper-mind provoked by nature. The changed slower and heavier rhythm complies perfectly to the poet's grief. So in the poem, wherever concerning the poet's mind, the rhythm changes to iambic trimeter.

The next, let us pay attention to the stressed word. The stress mostly adheres to the rhythm of iambic × / │× / │× /│× / │ (×stands for unstressed), which is just like the dancing tempo of the early spring. However, the stress also has some variations. In the last line of the first stanza "Bring sad thoughts to the mind", the stress changes into × / │/ ×│× /│. Here both "sad" and "thoughts" are stressed, because at first the poem offers a happy picture

Sara Swann, PolitiFact Sara Swann, PolitiFact

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• Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/fact-checking-attacks-on-walzs-military-record-by-vance-and-other-republicans

Fact-checking attacks on Walz’s military record by Vance and other Republicans

This fact check originally appeared on PolitiFact .

Republican vice presidential nominee and Ohio Sen. J.D. Vance sought to negatively frame the 24-year military career of newly minted Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz, Minnesota’s current governor.

“When the United States Marine Corps, when the United States of America, asked me to go to Iraq to serve my country, I did it,” Vance  said  Aug. 7 at the Shelby, Michigan, police department. Vance  served  as a combat correspondent for the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007 and deployed to Iraq for six months in 2005 but  did not experience combat .

Vance continued, “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him. … I think it’s shameful.” At a different event, Vance used the phrase “ stolen valor ” to describe his accusations against Walz.

On X, Rep. Ronny Jackson, R-Texas, made a  claim similar to Vance’s,  writing, “Tim Walz TURNED HIS BACK on the soldiers in his unit because he was TOO afraid to deploy to Iraq!!”

READ MORE: Democrats defend Walz’s military record as Vance, GOP begin attacks

Walz retired from the Minnesota National Guard in May 2005. He had submitted retirement paperwork five to seven months beforehand, Fox News  reported , citing the Minnesota National Guard.

In March 2005, Walz’s battalion had been notified about a possible deployment to Iraq within two years, Walz’s congressional campaign said in a  news release  that month, citing the National Guard Public Affairs Office. The Minnesota National Guard said the battalion then received an official order about mobilizing for deployment to Iraq in July 2005, after Walz retired.

Vance’s statement misleads by distorting the timeline. Walz had not been “asked by his country to go to Iraq,” as Vance said. He had been given a two-year window for a potential, not definite, deployment. And the official deployment notice came after Walz’s retirement.

Walz has said since before his Army retirement that he left to run for Congress. He filed his candidacy paperwork in February 2005, before the March 2005 notification about the potential deployment.

This is not a new line of attack. When Walz ran for a second term as Minnesota governor in 2022, his Republican opponent, who did not serve in the U.S. military,  criticized  Walz for leaving the National Guard before his unit deployed to Iraq.

Two retired Minnesota National Guard command sergeant majors also  penned a paid letter  to a Minnesota newspaper in 2018 claiming Walz “embellished and selectively omitted facts” about his military service. This letter resurfaced on X after Vice President Kamala Harris tapped Walz as her running mate. Other  guard   members  who served with Walz have defended him.

Walz’s spokesperson in the Minnesota governor’s office did not respond to a request for comment, and the Harris-Walz campaign declined to comment.

When reached by  The New York Times , a Harris-Walz campaign spokesperson didn’t provide new details about Walz’s retirement timeline and instead highlighted Walz’s record advocating for veterans and their families.

When contacted for comment, Vance’s campaign spokesperson sent links to the 2005 Walz campaign news release about the potential deployment and several news stories that quote former members of Walz’s battalion who were upset with him for not deploying to Iraq.

Walz’s military timeline

Walz enlisted in the Nebraska National Guard on April 8, 1981, two days after his 17th birthday. In 1996, Walz transferred to the Minnesota National Guard, where he served in the 1st Battalion, 125th Field Artillery until he retired May 16, 2005, Army Lt. Col. Kristen Augé, Minnesota National Guard’s state public affairs officer, told PolitiFact in a statement.

During his service, Walz responded to floods and tornadoes, specialized in heavy artillery and was recognized for his proficiency in sharpshooting and hand grenades, Minnesota Public Radio  reported .

On Aug. 3, 2003, Walz and his battalion were deployed to Italy to support U.S. operations in Afghanistan under Operation Enduring Freedom. Walz returned to Minnesota in April 2004, Augé said.

WATCH: A look at Walz’s record and how he could bolster Democratic support in the Midwest

In May 2005, Walz, then 41, officially retired from the Minnesota National Guard to campaign for Minnesota’s 1st Congressional District. He  filed  his statement of candidacy paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Feb. 10, 2005. Walz was elected to Congress in November 2006.

Al Bonnifield, who served with Walz in the Minnesota National Guard, told  Minnesota Public Radio  in 2018 that Walz weighed his retirement from the guard and congressional run “very heavy.” Bonnifield reiterated this to  The Washington Post  on Aug. 7.

“Would the soldier look down on him because he didn’t go with us? Would the common soldier say, ‘Hey, he didn’t go with us, he’s trying to skip out on a deployment?’ And he wasn’t,” Bonnifield said in 2018.

Doug Julin, who served as a more senior command sergeant major in Walz’s battalion, said Walz went over his head to get retirement approval before the unit’s deployment was official, because Julin would have “analyzed it and challenged him,” the  New York Post  reported Aug. 8.

Others who served in Walz’s battalion have said he “ditched” them and his actions were “dishonorable,” Fox News  reported .

Battalion’s deployment to Iraq

Walz’s unit received an “alert order” for mobilization to Iraq on July 14, 2005, Army Lt. Col. Ryan Rossman, Minnesota National Guard’s director of operations, told PolitiFact in a statement.

The unit received the official Department of the Army mobilization order Aug. 14, 2005, and mobilized Oct. 12, 2005, Rossman said.

The unit deployed to Iraq in March 2006 and was deployed for 19 months, according to an October 2007  congressional resolution .

The two retired Minnesota National Guard command sergeant majors who wrote the 2018 letter said the battalion received a “warning order” in early 2005 “to prepare to be mobilized for active duty for a deployment to Iraq.” They did not specify the warning letter’s date. Augé of the Minnesota National Guard told PolitiFact the agency doesn’t have information about any unofficial orders that might have been sent to the battalion.

An  archived March 20, 2005, press release  from Walz’s congressional campaign website said the National Guard Public Affairs Office announced March 17, 2005, “a possible partial mobilization of roughly 2,000 troops from the Minnesota National Guard.” The announcement said a portion of Walz’s battalion could be mobilized to serve in Iraq within the next two years.

Walz said in his campaign’s press release, “As Command Sergeant Major I have a responsibility not only to ready my battalion for Iraq, but also to serve if called on. I am dedicated to serving my country to the best of my ability, whether that is in Washington, D.C., or in Iraq. I don’t want to speculate on what shape my campaign will take if I am deployed, but I have no plans to drop out of the race.”

Although Walz had been  promoted  in 2004 to command sergeant major, he retired in 2005 as a master sergeant,  one rank below  command sergeant major, “for benefit purposes because he did not complete additional coursework at the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy,” Augé said.

Joseph Eustice, a 32-year military veteran who served in and led the same guard unit as Walz, told  The New York Times  and  NewsNation  in Aug. 7 interviews that when Walz decided to retire in May 2005, their unit had heard rumors of a potential deployment to Iraq, but had not received official orders.

Vance said, “When Tim Walz was asked by his country to go to Iraq, do you know what he did? He dropped out of the Army and allowed his unit to go without him.”

Vance’s statement ignores that Walz’s unit was not officially ordered to go to Iraq until July 2005, two months after Walz officially retired.

After 24 years of military service, Walz said he retired from the Minnesota National Guard in May 2005 to run for Congress. He had submitted retirement paperwork five to seven months beforehand. He filed candidacy paperwork in February 2005.

READ MORE: 5 things to know about Tim Walz, Kamala Harris’ VP pick

There’s an element of truth in Vance’s statement because in March 2005, before Walz officially retired, his battalion was notified of possible deployment to Iraq within two years. Walz was aware at the time of his retirement that deployment could be possible and one of his fellow guard members described Walz’s retirement decision as “very heavy.”

But the March 2005 notification gave a time frame of two years for a possible — not definite — deployment that would not occur immediately, which is the way Vance’s statement framed it.

At PolitiFact, the burden of proof is on the speaker, Vance, who did not provide details to support his statement. We rate it Mostly False.

PolitiFact Researcher Caryn Baird contributed to this report.

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