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Two of the Wordsworth’s poems It is a beauteous Evening Calm and Free and Composed upon Westminster Bridge have been taken for intra variation analysis.
Poem No. 1
It is a beauteous Evening Calm and Free:
It is a beauteous evening, calm and free…………God being with thee when we know it not.
Intra Variation Analysis of Wordsworth
Pragmatic Analysis
Wordsworth is a nature poet. His poetry illustrates the scenes of natural beauty. His poetry exhibits his deep spiritual and emotional response to the nature. This poem is thought to have originated from a real moment in Wordsworth's life, when he walked on the beach with his nine year old daughter. In this poem, Wordsworth shows his love for his ten-year-old daughter Caroline whom he visited in France.
This poem is a sonnet and has an eight-line octave followed by a six-line sestet. In this poem, the poet spiritualizes nature and glorifies childhood. In the octave, Wordsworth focuses on the atmosphere of the evening. The opening line “It is a beauteous Evening, Calm and Free” expresses the gentle and calm beauty of evening on the French Coast. Sunset is a sacred or holy time in many of Wordsworth’s poems. Wordsworth compares the time of day to a holy Nun adoring God. Simile is employed by the poet in the octave “ The holy time is quiet as a Nun” as the poet is comparing the Time with the Nun. The word Nun seems to produce a deadening effect in contrast to the other words “free” “sun” and “tranquility” and this word not only draws attention but also allows for the imagery of the word and its religious connotation to strike the reader. There is also a strong contrast between the words “free” and “nun” as a nun is someone who is hardly free to do as they please. According to poet, nature is the manifestation of the divine; this is why he is comparing the nature to Christian images Nun and Heaven. For the poet, the beautiful evening appears to be quiet like a Nun absorbed in profound divine thoughts. Another Simile is used by the poet “ A sound like thunder—everlastingly” The sound of the ocean makes the poet think that the mighty Being is awake, and, with his eternal motion, raising an everlasting "sound like thunder." It is a “sound like thunder” that makes the presence of supreme power of God felt.
Poem No. 2
Composed Upon Westminster Bridge:
Earth has not anything to show more fair………………………And all that mighty heart is lying still!
Pragmatic Analysis
Composed upon Westminster Bridge is a sonnet written by William Wordsworth, the most prominent English Romantic Poet. The title marks a specific place and time, a viewpoint over London’s River Thames during the Industrial Revolution. The poet contemplates the city at dawn, seeing it for its breathtaking beauty while also acknowledging the industrial forces transforming it.
The poem is actually written about an experience that takes place on July 31, 1802 during a trip to France with Wordsworth's sister, Dorothy Wordsworth. This poem is an expression of wonder. The poem begins with a phenomenal view of London city and the River Thames. The poet observes there is nothing more blissful than this enchanting sight. He says anyone who
passes without enjoying this lovely view, surely possesses a dull soul. In the opening line of the
poem, Hyperbole is employed by the poet “ Earth has not anything to show more fair….Dull would he be of soul who could pass by.” as the speaker declares that London at dawn is the most beautiful, tranquil sight on Earth. What’s notable about this hyperbole is that the speaker uses it sincerely as he is overwhelmed by the moment; he truly believes that the sight is the most beautiful on Earth. The poet illustrates that London is wearing the clear, soft light of dawn like a piece of clothing. Personification is used by the poet as the Earth, which has the ability to “show,” is personified. Another use of the personification is seen in “This City now doth, like a garment, wear” , here the “city” is personified. For poet, this beautiful morning appears like a blanket over a calm city. He lists the things he sees around in a pollution-free environment. Stunned by the bounties of nature, he tells the reader that the sun has never sprinkled its rays on the earth like this. Also, he has not experienced such peace and joy before this. The poem unfolds man’s connection with nature.
Intra Variation in Wordsworth’s Poetry
In both the poems “Composed Upon Westminster Bridge” and “It is a Beauteous Evening Calm and Free” Wordsworth talks about nature but he is comparing the nature with civilization in the first poem and with divinity in the second one respectively. He made more use of literary devices in the first poem than the second one. He uncovers the visionary power of the mind and understands the influence of the nature. Wordsworth is a poet of solitude. Memory allows Wordsworth to overcome the harshness and chance to reconnect with the visionary power and intensive relationship with the nature.
Discourse Analysis of Composed Upon Westminster Bridge
In this poem, poet contemplates the city at dawn, seeing it for its breathtaking beauty while also acknowledging the industrial forces transforming it. The poem tells about nature and its pivotal role in man’s life. Following are the devices found at the discourse level analysis of this poem.
Repetition
Assonance is the repetition of vowel sounds in the same line. For example, the sound of /o/ in “Dull would he be of soul who could pass by ” and the sound of /i/ in “All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.”
Consonance is the repetition of consonant sounds in the same line such as the sound of /l/ in “splendour, valley, rock, or hill;” and the sound of /h/ in “And all that mighty heart” and /s/ sound in “Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie”
Conjunction
It is another cohesive device used by the poet in this poem. Conjunction words are linking devices between sentences or clauses in a text. In other words, they structure the text in a certain logical order that is meaningful to the reader or listener. Such as “ Open unto the fields, and to the sky”
Inter Variation Analysis of “The Sunne Rising” and Composed upon
Westminster Bridge”
John Donne is a metaphysical poet who writes the love poetry while Wordsworth is a romantic poet who always talks about nature. Donne’s poetry metaphysical conceits and is difficult to interpret while on the other hand Wordsworth’s poetic diction is simple and comprehendible for a layman. Donne uses far-fetched ideas in his poetry while Wordsworth uses the ordinary devices and techniques in his poetry so that the layman can comprehend it. Donne uses bold language, humor and witty remarks in his poetry. Wordsworth is not considered quiet as humorous as Donne. Donne’s far-fetched analogies that challenge ordinary logic are enjoyable to readers, much like solving a challenging puzzle. Donne’s thoughts are scientific and rational. Wordsworth views nature as beauty rather than as platform for scientific and rational thought.
