Lecture Notes: "It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free" by William Wordsworth

Introduction

• Poet: William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
  • Notable English poet.
  • Britain's poet laureate from 1843 to 1850.
  • Key figure in the Romantic Movement, which emphasized nature as a source of inspiration.
• Poem: "It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free"
  • 10th poem in the Grade 12 English Home Language syllabus.
  • Written after a walk on a French beach with Wordsworth's 9-year-old daughter.

Poem Content

• Setting: A calm, tranquil evening during sunset by the sea.
• Themes:
  • Connection between nature and God.
  • Beauty of nature as a religious experience.
  • Children's innate connection with nature.
  • Father-daughter relationship.

Detailed Analysis

Lines 1-8: Description of Nature

• Line 1: Evening described as beautiful, calm, and free.
  • Evening referred to as a "holy time," suggesting a spiritual connection.
• Line 2: Evening compared to a "quiet nun," using simile and personification to express awe.
• Lines 3-4: The sun is setting, depicted with tranquility and gentle movement.
• Line 5: Personification of heaven as gentle, brooding over the sea.
• Line 6: Exclamation to the daughter to listen, suggesting a mighty presence is awake (either God or the ocean).
• Lines 7-8: Eternal motion of the sea or God's presence likened to thunder, emphasizing perpetual existence.

Lines 9-14: Reflection on Daughter's Connection

• Lines 9-11: Addresses daughter, and suggests her lack of awe does not diminish her divine nature.
  • Emphasizes innocence and natural divinity in children.
• Line 12: Daughter described as lying in Abraham's bosom, symbolizing perpetual divine presence.
• Line 13: Daughter worships at the Temple's inner Shrine, indicating a close connection with God.
• Line 14: Despite adults losing touch with constant divine presence, children remain naturally connected.

Themes

• Connection between Nature and God: Nature as a manifestation of divine beauty.
• Beauty of Nature: Inspires awe and reverence.
• Children's Connection to God: Innate purity and spiritual closeness.
• Father-Daughter Relationship: Expresses love and admiration.

Tone

• Tranquility: Reflects calmness and peace.
• Admiration and Respect: For nature's beauty and the child's innocence.

Form and Structure

• Type: Sonnet
  • 14 lines divided into an octave (first 8 lines) and a sestet (last 6 lines).
  • Volta at line 9: Shift from describing nature to reflecting on daughter's divinity.
  • Unconventional rhyme scheme with variations from traditional sonnet form.

Conclusion

• Wordsworth uses the poem to explore themes of nature, spirituality, and childlike innocence.
• The sonnet captures the poet's admiration for the alignment between nature and divine presence.
• Stay tuned for the final two poems in the Grade 12 syllabus.

Excellent question! Let's analyze the diction (word choice) in Wordsworth's "It is a beauteous evening, calm and free." To do this effectively, let's focus on specific aspects:

1. Archaic Words: The poem uses some archaic words (e.g., "doth," "thou," "walkest"). What is the effect of this word choice? How does it contribute to the poem's tone and overall effect? Does it create a sense of distance or intimacy?

2. Poetic Diction: Many words are chosen for their poetic effect rather than their everyday usage. Identify some examples of this poetic diction. How does it shape the reader's experience? Does it elevate the language, make it more accessible, or both?

3. Sensory Language: Wordsworth uses sensory language to evoke vivid images and feelings. Identify examples of visual, auditory, and other sensory details. How do these sensory details contribute to the poem's overall effect and the tone it creates?

4. Religious/Spiritual Diction: The poem contains words and phrases with religious or spiritual connotations (e.g., "holy time," "Abraham's bosom"). How does this diction shape the poem's meaning and tone? Does it enhance the spiritual significance, or does it risk making the poem inaccessible to non-religious readers?

5. Connotations: Many words have connotations (implied meanings) beyond their literal definitions. Analyze the connotations of key words like "tranquility," "gentleness," "broods," and "solemn." How do these connotations contribute to the poem's overall meaning and tone?

6. Simple vs. Elevated Language: Wordsworth blends simple and elevated language. Analyze the effect of this contrast. How does this contrast contribute to the poem's accessibility and depth?

Consider these questions, and then share your answers. We can then discuss them together and delve deeper into the nuances of Wordsworth's diction.