World is Too much with Us
William Wordsworth's "The world is too much with us" shows that with changing times, there is a natural shifting of beliefs that is often necessary to justify one's place in the world. It is a poem rich with Wordsworth's common themes of Nature and alienation, but takes an unexpected turn on the view of how religion should be truly used. The first three lines of the poem begin by showing man's alienation from Nature. An intense weight is bestowed upon the reader as Wordsworth conveys a sad and mournful tone. The paradox "late and soon" tell us that there is in fact no time at all for man to be connected to the natural world; it is too late for man, due to the system of beliefs and moral values he has created. It also parallels the next phrase, "Getting and spending." Although this phrase literally means to get and to spend (which seems to be the driving force of society that Wordsworth is eluding to), also means, coupled with "late and soon," that it is too late to get or to extract meaning or comfort in Nature. Furthermore, we are quick to spend so that we may soon find immediate happi
The line that follows, "Little we see in Nature that is ours;" shows the result of that system. The turn takes place in the middle of the first line of the sestet. If the means are not bringing people to the right ends, then a change, albeit a drastic one, must occur. The form of the poem is a variation of the Italian sonnet. The reader literally stops, as humanity has halted, at this profound exclamation. It is also a commentary or suggestion to people who consider themselves religous, but are fearful of Nature. Having Gods that represent different elements of Nature might make is easier to appreciate it. In doing so, the only natural thing left that we feel a kinship towards is ourselves. The winds howl not just at night, but throughout the days, as Nature is dangerous and uncontrollable. His suggestion is that if people don't recognize Nature with their own religion, then reverting back to a religion that polytheistic might be a positive alternative. " The sea shows herself not to us, but the moon. He would rather be an outcast and beleive in a pagan religion than be a part of today's world. Furthermore, Wordsworth changes the traditional Italian form and closes the poem with the sestet in the rhyme scheme, cdcdcd; the alternating rhyme makes the sestet even more immediate and accessible to the reader. Wordsworth comes to the realization that religion is only a tool for recognizing Nature. Now, Wordsworth is able to show the reader how Nature is perceived.
Common topics in this essay:
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English Spenserian,
Nature Furthermore,
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rhyme scheme,
italian sonnet,
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