Bittersweet Memory

The theme of nature as beneficial influence seems to be very present in Wordsworth's "Tintern Abbey". It seems as if Wordsworth uses nature in his poems to evoke emotions, desires, memories, etc. from human kind. This being said, the speaker in "Tintern Abbey" alleviates his pain and loneliness through his memories of nature. Wordsworth writes:
   "Thy memory be as a dwelling place
    For all sweet sounds and harmonies."

The speaker is first in agreement with nature and its purity as a child. Adulthood brings forth a different kind of communion, however. Nature is looked upon in relation to mankind and human life-its almost bittersweet. Nature and the memory of nature throughout the speaker's childhood is still dear to the him because it holds his purest thoughts and the basis of his morality.