English 308: Romantic Poetry and Prose ~ Dr. Koenig-Woodyard
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
In-Class Close Reading Test:
Wordsworth’s “Lines written in early spring” (393)
NO PAPER OR ELECTRONIC AIDS of any kind may be used for this assignment
Write an organized essay in which comment on the content and form of Wordsworth’s “Lines
written in early spring.” You should consider
1) one—perhaps two—of the larger themes we have been considering in this course—
Revolution, Nature, Politics, Genius, Self, Imagination, and the Sublime (to name a few);
and
2) the content and form of the poetry—among other issues: rhyme, metre,
imagery, metaphor, and diction choice.
You should take a few minutes to read, and re-read the passage—marking up this page, if you
like—and plan a brief discussion for each of these three points.
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 trail’d its wreathes;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
The birds around me hopp’d and play’d,
Their thoughts I cannot measure,
But the least motion which they made,
It seem’d 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 I these thoughts may not prevent,
If such be of my creed the plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?
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