William Wordsworth

∆ Khushi's Blog                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      William Wordsworth                                                                                                        (1770 - 1850)

His Life:                                                                                                                Wordsworth was born at Cockermouth, a town which is actually outside the Lake District, but well within hail of it. His father, who was a lawyer, died when William was thirteen years old. The elder Wordsworth left very little money. Wordsworth went to Cambridge, entering St John's College in 1787. He graduated in 1791, he left with no fixed career in view.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  - In 1795 he returned to Englamd. With his sister Dorothy, he setteled in a little cottage in Dorset; then, having met Colridge , they moved to Alfoxden, a house in Somerseshire, in order to live near him. It was there that thr two poets took the series of walks the fruit of which was to be the Lyrical Ballads (1798)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     

• Preface to the Lyrical Ballads, Romantic literary canon:                                                                                                                 

The preface to the Lyrical Ballads is an essay composed by William Words worth.                                                                                                                                                           

                                                                                                    

•  The four guidelines of the menifesto include:                            
• Ordinary life is the best subject for poetry.          
• Wordsworth uses common man's language.                                
• Expressions of feeling is more important than action or plot." 
• Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of emotion " that " takes its origin from emotion, recollected in tranquility."                                                                                                                              Preface to Lyrical Ballads by William Wordsworth begins with a discussion of the collection of poems, written mostly by Wordsworth with contributions by S.T. Coleridge. Originally published in 1798, in 1800, Wordsworth added an earlier version of the Preface, which he extended two years later. Because he felt his poems were of a new theme and style, Wordsworth felt they needed an introduction. Some scholars say that Coleridge wanted to write the preface, but never got around to it, so the work fell to Wordsworth instead. As the majority of the poems in the collection are by Wordsworth, this was probably a more appropriate choice, though there is suggestion in some of Coleridge’s later writings that the two disagreed about what the Preface should say.

-Most importantly, Wordsworth considered each poem in the collection to be an experiment in language usage, or diction. He wanted to find out if conversational language could be used effectively in poetry.

- What is poetry? 

                      Wordsworth sets out to define this particular form of art. In the Prefaceto Lyrical Ballads, Wordsworth outlines his definition of the nature and function of poetry as well as identifying the qualities that make someone a true poet. For Wordsworth, poetry must reflect spontaneity and an “overflow of powerful feelings.” Passion is key, as are mood and temperament. Although poetry must emerge from spontaneity, it must not be written spontaneously. Rather, Wordsworth asserts that a poem should be the result of long and deep reflection. He also cautions against being too concerned with the poetic rules of Classicism.                                                                                                                

• Key Aspects of the "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" in Relation to the Romantic Canon:                                                                                                                                                1.Focus on nature:                                                                                             The Romantic movement is known for its reverence for nature, and Wordsworth's preface reinforces this by advocating for poetry that draws inspiration from the natural world. He saw nature as a source of spiritual and emotional nourishment, a theme that permeates much of Romantic literature.                                                                                                                                                                                                   2.Use of Everyday Language:                                                                         Wordsworth champions the use of the "real language of men" in poetry. He believed that by using simple, unadorned language, poetry could better capture authentic human experiences and connect more deeply with readers. This focus on accessibility and sincerity is a hallmark of Romantic literature.                                                                                                                                                                                                     3.Critique of Neoclassicism:                                                                                The preface explicitly critiques the artificiality and rigid formalism of Neoclassical poetry, which dominated the 18th century. Wordsworth calls for a break from these traditions, advocating for a more organic and emotionally resonant form of poetry. This rejection of classical forms and embrace of innovation is a defining characteristic of the Romantic canon.                                                                                                                                                                                                                    4.Imagination and Creativity:                                                                                While the preface primarily focuses on emotional sincerity and natural expression, it also implicitly supports the Romantic celebration of imagination and creativity. By advocating for poetry that emerges from deep personal feeling and reflection, Wordsworth aligns with the broader Romantic valorization of the creative process as a means of exploring and expressing profound truths.                                                                                                                                                                                                               
• The Impact on the Romantic Canon:                                                                                                                                                            The "Preface to Lyrical Ballads" is often seen as a seminal text that helped to shape the Romantic literary movement. Its principles influenced not only Wordsworth and Coleridge but also subsequent Romantic poets and writers who sought to explore the depths of human emotion, the beauty of nature, and the power of the imagination.                                                                                                                                                                  This preface laid the groundwork for the Romantic emphasis on individual experience, the sublime in nature, and the importance of emotional authenticity in artistic expression. As such, it is a key text in understanding the evolution of Romanticism and its enduring influence on literature.