The World is Too Much With Us
Introduction of the Poem
Wordsworth deplores that the people of his age are busy spending and squandering wealth and thus are wasting their nobler and greater powers, the spiritual powers. They have lost sight of the beauties of Nature. They have sold their hearts to Mammon the god of wealth, i.e. materialism.
They have no feelings left for enjoying the beauties of Nature. They do not have any love for the sight of moonlight falling on the surface of the sea or the picture of the winds which make tumultuous noise throughout the day but sleep like flowers at night, nor have they any liking for other lovely aspects of Nature.’
As the Christians of his age have lost faith in Nature, Wordsworth wants to be nurtured in the outdated creed of paganism which used to worship Nature. As a pagan he would derive solace from Nature-worship and have the opportunity of witnessing the sights of pagan gods like Preteus and Triton.
Explanation of the poem
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“The world is too much………………a sordid boon.”
Ref. to the Context and Explanation- These lines refer to William Wordsworth’s sonnet, “The World is Too Much with Us” written in 1805. In these lines, Wordsworth condemns the growing materialism in people. He regrets to see in men acute tendency for the wordly prosperity. All the times they are obsessed with one idea-how to earn and how to spend? They are wasting their energy and time over material pursuits which do not lead to permanent pleasure and peace. In this way they have sold off their soul (conscience) for a handful to silver and gold and thus they have morally and spiritually degraded themselves. It is mean bargain.
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“The as that bares…………..we are out of tune.”
Reference to the Context and Explanation- In these lines which have been taken from “The World is Too Much with Us”. The poet William Wordsworth refers to the mean tendency of man in the acquiring and accumulating wealth at the expense of spiritual power and beauties of Nature. He boldly condemns men’s indifference towards beauties of Nature.
He says:
That man is overpowered and over occupied with the job of earning wealth and spending it. In this way he has completely discovered himself from nature which is very mean act of his. Little he cares for beauties of nature. The materialism-ridden man does not care for the calm sea and beauty of the moon brightly shining in the spotless sky. He also does not care for the howling wind that raves violently all day long and becomes totally calm and quiet and soothing in the evening. He has no love for administration for such beautiful object in the universe. He is made after money.
Note: What a beautiful picture Wordsworth draws of Nature. The sea is a calm; the beams of the moon are falling upon its bare breeze, and the howling wind has become gentle as a gathering flowers. Mark smile.
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“It moves us…………..wreathed horn.”
Or
It moves…………. me less forlon.
Ref. to the Context and Explanation- These lines have been taken from Wordsworth’s poem. “The World is Too Much with Us”. Here Wordsworth regrets to note his countrymen drowned into deep materialism and badly affected by their love for money. As a consequence they have lost the power to derive solace from the beauties of Nature. They have become quiet dead to the charms of Nature. They the Christians but they have forgotten the very principles of their religion because their love of money has made them blind towards everything that is good in life and in Nature. They look upon Nature as something lifeless, consequently Nature does not stir any emotion in them. It is better not to be such a Christian. It is better to be a Pagan-a worshipper of stones, river, trees ete, rather to be a Christian. The Pagans regarded nature as living. They regarded nature as full of divinities. Thus they saw in their imagination Proteus rising from the sea and tending the sea-folks of Poseidon. They also saw Triton, son of Poseldon, blowing to coach to calm they stormy waves. Although Paganism is an old obsolete religion, still it brings heavenly comfort to the desperate man. Pagans never felt lonely in the midst of Nature. Christianity depresses the spirit of man because of its faith in Living Nature, Wordsworth, therefore, wants to cease to be a Christian and embrace Paganism.
English Literature- Important links
- Development of English poetry since the age of Shakespeare
- Important Forms of poetry in English (Narrative, Lyrical, Sonnet etc.)
- Sonnet 29- When, in disgrace with fortune (William Shakespeare)
- SONNET 138- When my love swears (Analysis and Explanation)
- Critical review of Sonnet Writing of William Shakespeare
- “The Canonization” by John Donne- Summary & Line by line Explanation
- Critical appreciation of ‘The Canonisation’ (Poem by John Donne)
- John Donne- As a Poet, Poet of Love, a Metaphysical Poet
- “Paradise Lost” (Lines 242-272) John Milton | Summary & Analysis
- Characteristics of John Milton’s Poetry (with reference to Paradise Lost)
- “PARADISE LOST” as an Epic- By John Milton
- Critical appreciation of Paradise Lost- Theme, Styles, Cosmology etc.
- Speeches of Satan in Book I of Paradise Lost (By John Milton)
- Absalom and Achitophel (John Dryden)- Introduction & Summary
- Explanations of Absalom and Achitophel (Line by line analysis)
- Critical appreciation of “The False Achitophel” by John Dryden
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