The Prelude: Part One

“The Prelude: Part One” by Wordsworth is considered one of his greatest works.

The poem describes Wordsworth’s childhood and his ideas about life in his childhood compared to as an older adult. The poem utilizes word selection, allusions to other historical poems, and an open rhyme scheme to describe the innocence of his childhood. 

The lengthy poem begins by discussing the birth of Wordsworth and moves on throughout his childhood. It describes Wordsworth as being afraid and skeptical of growing up and aging and describes on the first page as “among the fretful of mankind.” He then goes on to describe his childhood as easy by saying he often, “basked in the sun, or plunged into thy streams.” He realizes that his life will not always be this simple however, growing up brings new challenges. Often Wordsworth uses innocent words to describe his childhood such as “foolishness,” “hope,” “silent.” It is very rare that in the first thirteen pages of the poem that he uses violent words to describe what he felt as a child. Only towards the end does Wordsworth realize maturing will bring. At the end of “Part One,” Wordsworth begins to use words and descriptions such as “fear,” “impotent,”

“dread” and “harsh judgments.” He realizes that life, as a mature adult is more difficult and jaded.

            “The Prelude: Part One” also utilizes allusions to other great poets to describe the innocence of childhood. On the very first page Wordsworth quotes Coleridge by writing that “Already had I dreamt/ Of my sweet birth-place.” Wordsworth chooses this quote of a “sweet birth-place” to describe his own childhood as ideal. On page 6 Wordsworth then draws from Shakespeare to describe playing throughout the woods as a young boy. This quote is reminiscent of nature as the sublime. And as a child seeing things “with meanings of delight, of hope, and fear.” This once again plays upon the innocence of childhood, where a child may see things in such awe and amazement while an adult may not be able to.  By drawing upon great poets for Wordsworth’s inspiration, Wordsworth is able to explore the theme of childhood innocence in much greater depth than just working alone.

            Wordworth’s use of an open rhyme scheme also allows the reader to experience and explore the theme of innocence and childhood to a deeper degree. Since Wordsworth is not constrained to the strict sonnet structure he is able to tell the story of his childhood and his experiences without structural constraints, which makes the poem, flow easier. The open structure is also reminiscent of how a child thinks. There are no constraints to where their ideas go, or what they can accomplish in their lives. In contrast, adults usually have constraints whether is be due to money, or family that get in the way of what they believe they can accomplish. The only structure the poem seems to have is breaks between different ideas that help to break up the poem and make it easier to read. The openness of the poem allows Wordsworth to go into childhood memories that may have not been possible had he used a stricter sonnet style.

            Through the use of word choice, allusions, and an open rhyme scheme Wordsworth is able to successfully convey his theme of childhood innocence. Wordsworth’s use of different structures allows him to distinguish himself from other poets. He is now known as one of the greatest poets for always reinventing himself and his work.