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   pmiranda2857 Teacher
   High School - 10th Grade

   eNotes Editor

   The main theme of this poem reflects the importance of always staying on the path of responsible behavior.  Wordsworth instructs us in this poem about the value of duty or work.  He wants to make the reader understand that even though one may think that they do not want to follow the rules of life, by going to school, or work or behaving in a responsible fashion, in fact that is exactly what we need to do in order to feel free.

   It is through the exercise of our duty, whatever that is, that we feel the most free.  When an individual tries to run away from responsibility, they are haunted and feel like a thief, you can never feel free in those circumstances. Below, he describes how your life will be when you satisfy duty and not run from it.

   "Serene will be our days and bright, And happy will our nature be, When love is an unerring light, And joy its own security. And they a blissful course may hold Even now, who, not unwisely bold, Live in the spirit of this creed; Yet seek thy firm support, according to their need." (Wordsworth) 

   In the following passage, the poet pleads for strength to live in the right way, to follow his duty and to be happy.

   "To humbler functions, awful Power! I call thee: I myself command Unto thy guidance from this hour; Oh! let my weakness have an end! Give unto me, made lowly wise, The spirit of self-sacrifice; The confidence of reason give; And, in the light of truth, thy Bondman let me live!" (Wordsworth) 

      

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   Posted by pmiranda2857 on Saturday February 21, 2009 at 6:42 AM