and Cultural Studies 30.2 (July 2004): 129-54. Wordsworth Studies and the Ethics of Criticism: The “Tintern Abbey” Debate Revisited Eric K. W. Yu National Chiao Tung University Abstract This paper raises important questions concerning the “ethics” of criticism with reference to Wordsworth scholarship. Reviewing the major critical approaches to Wordsworth’s canonical poem “Tintern Abbey‚” I explore their implications for doing literary criticism today. I begin with an analysis of the polemics
Free Romanticism Romantic poetry
Tintern Abbey (Welsh: Abaty Tyndyrn) was founded by Walter de Clare‚ Lord of Chepstow‚ on 9 May 1131. It is situated in the village of Tintern‚ on the Welsh bank of the River Wye in Monmouthshire‚ which forms the border between Monmouthshire in Wales and Gloucestershire in England. It was only the second Cistercian foundation in Britain‚ and the first in Wales. It inspired William Wordsworth’s poem "Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey"‚ Alfred‚ Lord Tennyson’s poem "Tears‚ Idle Tears"‚
Premium
Future: Finding Life Through Nature William Wordsworth poem “Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey” was included as the last item in his Lyrical Ballads. The general meaning of the poem relates to his having lost the inspiration nature provided him in childhood. Nature seems to have made Wordsworth human.The significance of the abbey is Wordsworth’s love of nature. Tintern Abbey representes a safe haven for Wordsworth that perhaps symbolizes a everlasting connection that man
Premium William Wordsworth Mind Time
him. “In hours of weariness‚ sensations sweet” (Tintern Abbey 27) When things got tough‚ these beauteous forms gave him sensations that helped him affected him subconsciously to do “His little‚ nameless‚ unremembered‚ acts. Of kindness and of love” (Tintern Abbey 34-35) and feels the place makes him feel like a living soul “In body‚ and become a living soul” (Tintern Abbey 46) “To me was all in all.---I cannot paint. What then I was.” (Tintern Abbey 75-76) He says he can’t think much about what he
Free Mind Soul Thought
ideas of natural‚ emotional‚ and artistic themes. In the poem “Tintern Abbey” by William Wordsworth‚ the author uses traditional romantic poetry techniques to convey emotion and remembrance of nature to the reader. Wordsworth’s use of nature as the main theme is a good use of romantics. He also uses other literary devices to show the reader how he feels about nature. Also‚ how nature helps him in so many ways. The poem “Tintern Abbey” is a romantic poem‚ throughout the entire poem Wordsworth stresses
Free Romanticism William Wordsworth Poetry
The complete title of this poem is “lines composed a few miles above Tintern abbey on revisiting the banks of the wye”. It was written on july 13th‚ 1798. It open with the speaker’s declaration that five years had passed since he had last visited this location‚ encountered its tranquil and rustic scenery‚ and heard the murmuring waters of the river. He recites the objects he sees again and the effect upon him; “the steep and lofty cliffs” impress upon him “thoughts of more deep seclusion.” He leans
Free Mind Consciousness Psychology
Tintern Abbey: Seeing into the Life of Things What does Wordsworth see when he ’sees into the life of things?’; Remember that in the lines leading up to his portrayal of the ’blessed mood’; that gives him sight‚ Wordsworth has been pointing to the power of human memory and reflection. And the importance of memory and reflection are made plain by the shifting time perspectives in the poem. The poem begins with the speaker on the banks of the Wye for the first time in five years. At first
Free Romanticism William Wordsworth Romantic poetry
What does Tintern Abbey say about the pastoral? Tintern Abbey‚ written by William Wordsworth presents us with the pastoral in the past‚ present and the future‚ and deals with the importance of it within our society. Given the Romantic era during which this poem was written‚ he idealises the pastoral‚ allowing for the opportunity to emphasize the corrupt nature of the city life‚ and the negative connotations it has on society. Tintern Abbey acts as a sort of recluse for Wordsworth‚ a place of
Free Poetry William Wordsworth Iambic pentameter
THE SPIRTUAL COMFORT OF NATURE IN WILLIAMS WORDSORTH’S “LINES COMPOSED A FEW MILES ABOVE TINTERN ABBEY” The spirituality and influence of nature in William Wordsworth’s "Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey‚" explains the impact of and comfort provided by nature throughout his life. As Wordsworth grows older‚ he tries to share this with his sister. Using the moon as a metaphor for his older (evening) stage in life‚ he tells her “Therefore let the moon Shine on
Premium William Wordsworth Poetry Aesthetics
How TINTERN ABBEY evolves from beginning to end is in a truly reflective state upon the five years that had passed since he had last visited the ruins of the abbey. The ruin of the abbey‚ perhaps can be compared to the aging of man and the inevitably of aging‚ however‚ the abbey still stands as does natutre and its eternal splendor. The poem starts immediately with an adjective‚ "rolling" referring to the waters coming down from the mountain springs which do not disturb the "murmur" of the river:
Premium Life William Wordsworth Reflection