Wordsworth begins the poem discussing childhood and the memories connected with it. In the quote above he seems to say that children, who are full of innocence, see the good in the things that occur but even when things go bad and are "fretful" nature is a place to escape that will help. The power of memory and the effect nature can have on it remains a strong theme for Wordsworth (think Tintern Abbey).
"And ye that are familiars of the lakes/And of the standing pools, I may not think/A vulgar hope was yours when ye employed/Such ministry"
As when he recalled the hill above Tintern Abbey here he is using his memory of the lake to make his life/situation better. Can nature really help ease the trials of life? Can a memory of some place you've been make a grey day better? I guess it all depends on where you've been and if you've any memories that are that strong.
I like that you singled out the part of the poem that deals with childhood and a child's relationship to nature and the memories you have of those childhood experiences as an adult. When you're a child you see the world in a very different way that's almost impossible to truly capture again as an adult, but the idea of trying to return to that state of innocence and wonder at the world is so appealing to a lot of people.
ReplyDeleteI think the power of memory and nostalgia is a running theme throughout Wordsworth's work. At our worst times, we look back to a simpler time where our innocence is still intact. Reflection can be a great too for self-realization.
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