Page 166 - DENG103_English - I

Unit 17: Daffodils by William Wordsworth

Notes

Task Write down figures of speech used in ‘Daffodils’.

17.5 Title and Theme

The title, ‘Daffodils’ is a simple word that reminds us about the arrival of the spring season,
when the field is full of daffodils. Daffodils are yellow flowers, having an amazing shape and
beautiful fragrance. A bunch of daffodils symbolize the joys and happiness of life.
The theme of the poem ‘Daffodils’ is a collection of human emotions inspired by nature that
we may have neglected due to our busy lives. The daffodils imply rebirth, a new beginning
for human beings, blessed with the grace of nature. The arrival of daffodils in the month of
March is welcome and an enjoyable time to appreciate them!

17.6 Imagery Skill

The poem paints images of lakes, fields, trees, stars in Ullswater. Wordsworth continuously
praises the daffodils, comparing them to the Milky Way galaxy (in the second stanza), their
dance (in the third stanza) and in the concluding stanza, dreams to join the daffodils in their
dance.
The poem uses descriptive language throughout the stanzas. The poet cannot resist himself
from participating in the dance of the daffodils. The wording is simple and melodious. Isn’t
Daffodils, a great gift idea of William Wordsworth that celebrates happiness of nature amongst
us?

Self Assessment

Fill in the blanks:
1. The poem ‘Daffodils’ is also known by the title ......... .
2. ‘Daffodils’ was written in ......... .
3. ‘Daffodils’ was published in ......... with four stanza.
4. ‘I wondered lonely as a cloud’ contains figure of speech named ......... is its first line.

17.7 Analysis

In Daffodils, Wordsworth is reminiscing about a day when he was out walking and saw his
host of daffodils. He is looking back on how much of an impression it has had on him.
In the first two lines of the poems Wordsworth applies the image of a cloud to himself, which
symbolises his integration with the natural world. Both he and the cloud are aspects of the
world, which is subject to the laws of nature but they can still retain their freedom in spite
of this. Other images in the poem reinforce this – the dancing flowers, the lake, the breeze and
the continuous stars–and they are associated with “self-joy” and contented solitude.
Wordsworth expresses feelings for nature through these symbolic objects. He personifies the
daffodils as dancers, dancing gaily as part of the beauty of nature (L.6), and compares them
to the stars, which reflect the beauty and consistency of nature (L.7 and 8).

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