The Prelude: Book XII

In the Prelude, Wordsworth emphasizes the concept of nature’s gift. This is seen with the opening of Book XII. In the first two lines, Wordsworth explains how man’s emotions and feeling of internal calmness are the gifts that nature has to offer to the human race. To Wordsworth, these two attributes of nature are seen as two “sister horn’s that constitute her strength”. With lines 5 and lines 6, Wordsworth explains how the sun, the simple rain shower of the spring, or anything seen in nature are the origins of this gift. With the conclusion of stanza 1 of the opening of Book XII, Wordsworth explains how the energy of seeking truth and the happy stillness of the mind are the results of seeking nature. By analyzing Wordsworth use of comparison, enjambment, and what Wordsworth believe are the benefits of seeking nature, one can see how Wordsworth draws his internal strength from nature.

In stanza one of Book XII, Wordsworth uses extensive comparison. In line 4, Wordsworth compares nature’s attributes of providing man with emotion and internal calmness to that of “sister horns”. He also compares nature to having qualities of a human being. This is seen in his extensive use of the pronoun “her” when referring to nature. By using comparison in stanza one, Wordsworth creates the image of nature being “alive”, always placing “her” influence on one’s life.

Wordsworth also uses enjambment with the opening of Book XII. This is seen in the first sentence of Book XII. In this sentence, Wordsworth extensively explains the idea of man’s emotion and the feeling of calmness and how this is directly correlated to finding refuge in nature. This extensive comparison starts at line 1 and ends at line 7, only separated by a comma, a semicolon, and a colon. Wordsworth’s use of enjambment displays the emotional connection he has with nature, and the connection he wants others to have.

With the conclusion of the opening of Book XII, Wordsworth explains the benefits of nature’s gifts (emotion and calmness) in one’s life. These benefits include having the energy to seek truth in life, and happy stillness of the mind. To Wordsworth, these attributes are essential to life, and can only come from seeking refuge in nature.