River Duddon V

In the fifth poem about the River Duddon, Wordsworth literally describes nature as it grows around the river. The “sullen mosses” and “craggy mound” are soon filled with “green alders” and “birch-trees.” Later in the poem, Wordsworth points out a “rude and gray” cottage which is inhabited by a mother and children. Though the mother “carelessly” watches the children, they seem to be in no danger. In fact, they are nature’s “pleased associates” as they “sport through the summer day.” Although the poem does not contain much of a plot, the poem’s imagery with growth and color, and the poem’s diction point to the positive private relationship between humans and nature; specifically, nature links us to a divine being in heaven.

Throughout the poem, Wordsworth uses the image of growth to indicate this private relationship which develops away from society. First he describes the river’s eventual seclusion with the growth of the surrounding alders, birches and pines. He describes this event of growth to emphasize nature’s seclusion from society in a peaceful and trusting way. As Wordsworth mentions, though merely the “sullen moss” and “craggy mound” first surrounded the river as “unfruitful solitudes,” they eventually “came to “form a shade” for the river and made a “silver colonnade.” Just as the river is not let down by nature’s obligation to provide shade and protection, we are not let down by nature’s obligation to provide us with a trusting seclusion from society so that we can connect to God in a private manner. Wordsworth alludes to this private link with God when he notes the initial upset at the “unfruitful solitudes” for they “seemed to upbraid the sun in heaven. I believe that in this sentence, Wordsworth alludes to God as the sun of heaven and the disappointment in the bareness around the river surrounded only by “sullen moss” and a “craggy mound.” When the trees arise, even the river is “tempted here to rise” toward heaven in order to provide the private secluded space needed to connect with God.

Wordsworth also uses colors in images to emphasize the healthy private relationship between humans and nature. He notes the greenness of the alders, a color indicating health and newness, and he describes the children as ruddy, a word indicating that the children have “a fresh, healthy red color1”. The young and vibrant color of nature represents nature’s purity and link with goodness. Though seclusion in nature is often depicted in an intimidating way, Wordsworth depicts the seclusion in a positive way which promotes a relationship with God. In contrast to nature and the children, he describes the cottage as “rude and gray” because it takes away from the desired seclusion from society. The cottage represents man-made civilization which has interrupted the privacy of the woods. Describing the house as gray, a color of gloom, merely furthers the idea of favoring solitary interaction with nature.

The diction of the poem also hints at nature’s relationship that links humans with God. Firstly, Wordsworth uses words of personification to describe the river. Specifically, he describes the river as a “sole listener” who has a “clear voice.” Here Wordsworth directly links humans with God by giving the river the ability to listen to the speaker as well as the ability to speak for God. Wordsworth also uses diction to represent the positive relationship when he describes the children as “pleased associates” with the river. Though they have come from the “rude” cottage, the river is happy to have them there. Humans and nature have a positive nurturing relationship away from societal impact.