William Wordsworth

Paper Summary:

This paper explains that Wordsworth's political stance is critical of the rationalization of human society and its seemingly patriarchal nature; he contends that a shift from rationalization or modernization of society to a return to a traditionalist society governed by matriarchy through Nature is the true meaning of intellectual development and material and social progress. The author points out that Wordsworth's "personal satire" is expressed implicitly and subtly, addressing the public through its hidden meaning rather than its explicit content, as illustrated by the prevalent theme of rationalization of society through institutionalized education versus 'education' through Nature ,as reflected in "The Tables Turned". The paper relates that, after the French Revolution, Wordsworth wrote his poem, "I Grieved for Buonaparte, with a Vain," which demonstrates the way a misguided belief in freedom from the monarchy, a characteristic of the French Revolution, resulted in tyranny, or the rule of France by individuals who have self-interests exclusive of the welfare of human society and the common good.

From the Paper:

"Indeed, the "language of real life" is advocated in "Tables Turned," since Wordsworth brings forth through his words his own experience of how he was able to achieve enlightenment through Nature. Furthermore, what the poem illustrates is the poet's 'conversation' with the reader, a feature that is inherent among Romantic poems in its attempt to convey to the readers the realities and experiences of the poet. It is through this sharing of experiences between the poet and the reader that makes the poem adhere to its message-that is, that education should be within the natural environment of human society: among people and with Nature. Wisdom and knowledge acquired through social interaction with people and Nature is the ultimate form of education, far better than what books and other symbols of institutionalized and formal education can give to human society. This belief is elucidated in the poem's last lines, "Enough of Science and Art; Close up those barren leaves; Come forth, and bring with you a heart That watches and receives" (lines 29-32)."

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