The Prelude Part II

William Wordsworth's "The Prelude" is very largely concerned with how nature affects man and his intellectual development. This theme is very evident throughout the Second Part of "The Prelude." Wordsworth uses descriptions of the effects of nature and her beauty on himself, personification of the sun and the moon, and the technique of speaking to nature directly as if it were a person to illustrate the importance of Nature and in the lives and development of man.
Wordsworth talks a lot about the effects of nature and certain images and experiences in his life on his mind and soul. Most of these experiences come from his childhood, but clearly have had a lasting impact on him to this day. He talks about how certain outings in nature "mellowed down" his selfishness and "gradually produced a quiet independence of the heart." These statements certain imply powerful effects of nature on his mind and soul. He talks elsewhere about "the gravitation and the filial bond of Nature that connect him with the world." This bond with Nature creates a sense of unity interaction with the universe that imparts strength on a person that stays with them forever.
He uses personification of the sun and moon to emphasize the personal connection he feels with them and the important role they play in his life. He says, "...a boy I loved the sun not as since I have loved him-as a pledge and surety of my earthly life, a light which while I view I feel I am alive... I had seen him lay his beauty on the morning hills...." He speaks of the sun not as an inanimate force of nature, but as an agentic figure for whom he felt real emotions. The sun gave him a sense of life he could find nowhere else. Further, he spoke of the moon in a similar way. "The moon to me was dear: for I would dream away my purposes standing to look upon her..." The personification of both the moon and sun creates the idea of a personal relationship that has and continues to affect him in his life.
His personification of nature is not limited to the moon and sun. He personifies Nature itself and even speaks directly to Nature throughout the poem. He says, for example "That in whatever region I should close my mortal life I would remember you, fair scenes... my soul would send a longing look to you...." The connection he feels with nature is not only evident in the direct duologue with the "fair scenes," but also in the longing of his soul for those scenes. Again, he speaks directly to nature, "O, ye rocks and streams, and that still spirit of the evening air, even in this joyous time I sometimes felt your presence...." Not only is he directly addressing these elements of nature, he goes so far as to reference the existence of a spirit of air. This clearly portrays nature as an active agent with a spirit like that of a person, which emphasizes its impact on and influencial relationship with humans.
The importance Wordsworth places on nature is clear in his most epic work, "The Prelude." This is certainly evident in Part II, as he uses the descriptions of effects of certain experiences in nature, personification of the sun and mood, and dialogue with nature to illustrate the impact it has had on him.