Student Question
What is the setting of The Prelude by William Wordsworth?
Quick answer:
The setting of "The Prelude" spans several key locations in William Wordsworth's life. It begins in the Lake District in northern England, reflecting Wordsworth's childhood environment. The poem then transitions to Cambridge, where Wordsworth attended university, and London. It also includes a walking tour of the Alps, highlighting the impact of scenery on Wordsworth's writing. Ultimately, the poet returns to the Lake District, which remains a central source of inspiration.
As mentioned in the answer above, The Prelude is a long autobiographical poem by William Wordsworth. It is called The Prelude because it was intended as a prelude to a longer poem. Although the entire poem never completed, Wordsworth spent many years writing and revising it. As it was autobiographical, describing Wordsworth's own development as a poet, it is set in the places where Wordsworth actually lived.
It begins in the pastoral setting of the Lake District in northern England, a rural area still popular its scenery and walking paths, where Wordsworth was raised. Next it moves to Cambridge, where Wordsworth attended university, and then to London. In Book 3, a walking tour of the Alps (in Europe) prompts the poet to think about the importance of scenery to him as a writer. Eventually, the poet returns permanently to the Lake District, which is for him the source of his poetic inspiration.
In the poem, Wordsworth provides many extended descriptions of scenery and of the people inhabiting the scenery.
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