Critical Analysis of a Poem by William Wordsworth 'The World Is Too Much with Us'

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The material world is just too overwhelming for people;

Our jobs and financial obligations make us earn money to spend it later;

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In return, we lose ourselves, the most vital part that makes us human.

We have become so invested in acquiring material gains, that we have forgotten about our emotions and livelihood.

The moon reflects on the surface of the sea;

while the wind that blows at all hours,

We do not appreciate what’s around us;

Our lives are not in tune with the natural world;

As a result, we care not about our emotions

Where our faith appears to be forgotten

I stand on this patch of grass

glancing at the image of the ocean

Seeing the Greek God Proteus take shape from the ocean;

While hearing the Greek God Triton blow his horn.

William Wordsworth's 'The World Is Too Much with Us' uses many literary devices to communicate the theme and help develop the meaning within the poem. It is through imagery, diction, as well as the tone that the author establishes his purpose. By using literary devices such as diction and personification, it helps describe the more profound meaning and reveal the vivid imagery being conveyed through these elements. Apart from describing the beautiful aspects of nature, at first glance, he carefully develops a sense of place and belonging throughout this poem. However, as you go along, the context in which this poem was written is able to help us as the reader comprehend more about the message, Especially how there are several aspects of human life and the scornful disconnection to the natural world. Several things struck as old-fashioned to me, one primarily being language or diction. With words such as 'sordid' and 'forlorn,' his choice of words challenge our perceived notions of how we understand the message, he is trying to convey.

Consisting of a fourteen-line sonnet, the poem is written in Iambic pentameter. Wordsworth's use of imagery helped me visualize the emotions and ideas he was trying to evoke. He tries to appeal to our senses in particular listening when he states, 'winds that will be howling,' describing how strongly the wind blows. At first, Wordsworth's 'The World is Too Much with Us' can be perceived as just another poem that briefly describes the beauty found in nature. However, the reader plays a significant role in determining the more profound meaning within the text, that being in his description of how nature resembles humans. However, it becomes more dark and somber. Re-reading through the primary text and the different critical perspectives, I was able to find a way of interpreting the work and its central theme. Wordsworth uses such words to help develop the tone. This tone, in turn, contributes to improving the imagery throughout the poem about how individuals have lost and disassociated themselves, particularly from the natural world, religion, and those around us.

Furthermore, the speaker uses personification in several places when describing nature. The speaker states, 'This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon,' as well as 'sleeping flowers,' further commenting on how nature possesses these human-like characteristics. Wordsworth also personifies the sea and flowers to be a living being instead of an inanimate object. Throughout the poem, Wordsworth uses words such as 'We' and 'us' to describe how we, as individuals and society, have changed. When he states, 'we lay waste our powers.' It contributes to our ideology as individuals. As to what we value as being important in our society. One of those being personal gain and wealth. Aiming to convey how material goods and wealth draws individuals from caring about real things other than themselves. The poem reflects that as we grow, we become more self-centered and retracted from nature. Also, losing lose our way to self-contemplation. In the name of self-progress and improvement, we have lost our way of the things that should be important in life.

Throughout the poem, the speaker describes humankind's relationship with nature, emphasizing the notion of how time has changed. I liked the message behind the poem. Wordsworth seems to criticize the world we live in, where material goods have become more important than other individuals. Especially how disassociated we have become when it comes to the natural world. In several ways, Wordsworth goes to great lengths to describe nature and explore the idea of what it means to enjoy life. In return, helping convey a very diverse collection of messages by employing the concept of how humans have become so isolated from nature.

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Critical Analysis of a Poem by William Wordsworth ‘The World Is Too Much with Us’. (2022, July 14). Edubirdie. Retrieved January 9, 2025, from https://edubirdie.com/examples/critical-analysis-of-a-poem-by-william-wordsworth-the-world-is-too-much-with-us/
“Critical Analysis of a Poem by William Wordsworth ‘The World Is Too Much with Us’.” Edubirdie, 14 Jul. 2022, edubirdie.com/examples/critical-analysis-of-a-poem-by-william-wordsworth-the-world-is-too-much-with-us/
Critical Analysis of a Poem by William Wordsworth ‘The World Is Too Much with Us’. [online]. Available at: <https://edubirdie.com/examples/critical-analysis-of-a-poem-by-william-wordsworth-the-world-is-too-much-with-us/> [Accessed 9 Jan. 2025].
Critical Analysis of a Poem by William Wordsworth ‘The World Is Too Much with Us’ [Internet]. Edubirdie. 2022 Jul 14 [cited 2025 Jan 9]. Available from: https://edubirdie.com/examples/critical-analysis-of-a-poem-by-william-wordsworth-the-world-is-too-much-with-us/
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