I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud Cover Image

I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud

by William Wordsworth

Start Free Trial

Discussion Topic

Wordsworth's depiction of nature in "The Daffodils."

Summary:

In "The Daffodils," Wordsworth depicts nature as a source of joy and inspiration. He describes the daffodils as a "host of golden daffodils" that dance in the breeze, creating a sense of unity and harmony. The beauty of the daffodils uplifts his spirits and provides a lasting, positive impact on his emotions, even long after he has left the scene.

Expert Answers

An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

What are the romantic elements of nature in Wordsworth's "Daffodils"?

If you are interested in the Nature Poetry elements of William Wordsworth's Daffodils poem, then those would be the spiritual replenishment that Nature gives our souls and minds through all her beauty - in this case  a host of golden daffodils. The element of freedom in Nature Poetry is there too ('I wandered lonely as a cloud) freedom from cares, from worries and from the material shackles of the world - freedom of thought also. Imagination is another key element of Nature Poetry and in this poem and in many others right back from classical times, it is illustrated by the image of the wind - which is so fresh and cool in early March and probably scented with the gentle fragrance of the flowers. Inspiration for the 'muse' of poetry is another point.

Approved by eNotes Editorial
An illustration of the letter 'A' in a speech bubbles

How does Wordsworth depict the bliss of being surrounded by nature in "The Daffodils"?

Wordsworth's poem "The Daffodils" is about the unexpected joy of nature, expressed through personification ,...

Unlock
This Answer Now

Start your 48-hour free trial and get ahead in class. Boost your grades with access to expert answers and top-tier study guides. Thousands of students are already mastering their assignments—don't miss out. Cancel anytime.

Get 48 Hours Free Access

a poetic technique in which non-human objects are described as having human characteristics.

The occasion for the poem is a momentary glimpse of a field of daffodils by a lake. The poet, who "wanders lonely as a cloud," is entranced by the sight: "Ten thousand saw I at a glance, / Tossing their heads in sprightly dance." The "dancing" flowers perhaps seem to the poet like a great group of children dancing; they are more beautiful than the water: "The waves beside them danced, but they / Out-did the sparkling waves in glee." It is as if all of nature is participating in a party, and the daffodils are the ones having the best time.

Certainly, the poet is cheered from his former "lonely" state: "A Poet could not but be gay, / In such a jocund company." More than that, the image of the flowers is a hedge against future loneliness:

For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.

That is, through memory, the "inward eye" of the poet, the solitary world of the imagination, is able to rejoin the daffodils, experience the pleasure again, even "dance" with them. The idea is that nature, as represented by the daffodils, is a place where reality and imagination meet and intermix. The bliss of the poem comes both from the beauty of the scene and the poetic sensibility it fosters.

Approved by eNotes Editorial