Selected Poetry by William Wordsworth

Selected Poetry by William Wordsworth

“Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey”

1.  Lines 1-18 (Tintern Abbey) What might be your reaction to seeing a special place after many years?

2.  Lines 1-18 (Tintern Abbey) What do lines 1–3 convey about the speaker’s feelings?

3.  Lines 1-18 (Tintern Abbey) Does this passage effectively establish a sense of the place and its significance to the speaker? Explain.

4.  Lines 72-102 (Tintern Abbey) How did the speaker react to the natural landscape on his first visit?

5.  Lines 72-102 (Tintern Abbey) In what way is the speaker’s reaction different now, and why?

6.  Lines 72-102 (Tintern Abbey) What do the speaker’s different reactions to the same site suggest about the way people change as they age?

7.  Lines 111-134 (Tintern Abbey) What is the sister’s reaction to seeing the landscape around Tintern Abbey for the first time?

8.  Lines 111-134 (Tintern Abbey) In what way does her reaction affect the speaker’s own reaction to the scene?

9.  Lines 111-134 (Tintern Abbey) What might the speaker be saying in general about sharing experiences?

10.  Key Idea: Peace Why does the city seems so peaceful in “Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802”? In answering, consider the precise setting (time and place) that is being described.

11.  Identify Elements of Romantic Poetry Romantic poetry stresses personal experience. What personal details does “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” contain?

12.  Key Idea: Peace Based on details in “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey,” why didn’t the first view of a natural wonder immediately bring peace to the speaker in the poem? When did the view of nature bring him peace?

13.  Evaluate Stylistic Elements In what ways does Wordsworth’s use of blank verse paragraphs and irregular numbers of lines in “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey” reflect his romantic philosophy?

14.  Analyze Romantic Poetry Why would the desire to escape civilization and commune with nature grow more pronounced in Wordsworth’s day, when the Industrial Revolution was gaining momentum?

15.CRITICAL INTERPRETATIONS Some literary critics have argued that Wordsworth presents an idealistic, and therefore unrealistic, portrait of childhood. Based on “Tintern Abbey,” do you agree with this argument? Support your opinion with details from the poem.