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Elective English–I

Notes has become self-absorbed and can no longer think clearly. The destructiveness society has on
the environment will proceed unchecked and relentless like the “winds that will be howling
at all hours”.
Unlike society, Wordsworth does not see nature as a commodity. The verse “Little we see in
Nature that is ours”, shows that coexisting is the relationship envisioned. This relationship
appears to be at the mercy of mankind because of the vulnerable way nature is described. The
verse “This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon”, gives the vision of a woman exposed to
the heavens. The phrase “sleeping flowers” might also describe how nature is being overrun
unknowingly and is helpless.
Wordsworth seems to be the only enlightened one who is able to foresee the inevitable. He
sees himself as one with the environment. The verse “I, standing on this pleasant lea, have
glimpses that would make me less forlorn”, shows Wordsworth as a visionary who is not
responsible for the destruction of nature. This destruction is not seen stopping as a result of
any act by mankind. The change Wordsworth is hoping for will come in the form of a mighty
revolt by nature. Wordsworth reaches back into ancient Greece for their Gods who symbolize
nature and strength to make the change. Proteus is seen rising from the sea, facing the injustices
inflicted upon nature, placing the cycle of life back in balance. Proteus was a sea-God who
could change his appearance to elude capture. The ability to change one’s appearance is
critical in facing the variety of threats mankind might impose. The God Triton was mentioned
as a savior to nature as well. Triton was the most imposing of the Gods (excluding Zeus)
because he was master of the seas. Wordsworth selected a sea-God as the savior to the world
to represent a re-birth. Water has always been a symbol of new beginnings (birth itself with
the amniotic fluid and baptisms which take place in water) and when the sea-Gods rise from
their watery depths to correct the excesses of humanity, a re-birth will have taken place for
the world.
Wordsworth sees himself as having insight to the problems which exist between humanity
and nature. The materialistic progress being made by mankind is not without consequence.
The destruction of the environment by mankind’s shortsightedness will continue as Wordsworth
has foreseen. The change hoped for by the author will not come as a result of an initiative by
the humanity, but as an uproar by Mother Nature in the form of a battle. This battle will bring
forth a victory for the environment and stimulate a re-birth for the world.

8.1 “The World is Too Much with Us”

The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;

Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers,

For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
It moves us not. – Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,

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