Literary Analysis: Lines Written In Early Spring By Wordsworth

In the poem, “Lines Written in Early Spring”, Wordsworth displays a theme of nature’s perfection contrasted with the imperfection of humanity. This notion is further promoted through examples of nature’s harmony, fairness, and purity which is viewed as being absent from mankind. The poem calls into question what has become of the human race, implying that perhaps we have completely strayed from the path that nature had intended. A strong connection to nature is established in the first stanza as the speaker is depicted relaxing in a grove surrounded by the sweet sounds that the environment has to offer. Although there is a seemingly joyful mood created the speaker claims that, “…pleasant thoughts/ Bring sad thoughts to the mind.” (lines 3&4) illustrating that the beauty that surrounds him in nature is exactly what reminds him of the ugliness in mankind and society. This idea is more clearly demonstrated in the second stanza as the speaker personifies Nature who made everything fair, right and equal. The rule of

By using the words heaven and holy the speaker is giving Nature godly attributes, as creator of life and death, as the force compelling the world. If there is a deliberate plan set out by Nature with its harmony and beauty, then humankind, with their wars and unnatural activities have moved away from what was intended and this is why he mourns what man has made of man. In this poem, “Lines Written in Early Spring” there is an awakening of thought much like the start of a spring after a long winter. The perfection of Nature itself is what sparks the thought or realization of the imperfection of humankind. Nature has the ability to guide our souls to the intended path but only if what man has made does not obstruct this