Class 11 English NCERT Book Woven Words Poetry Lesson 5 The World is too Much With us Questions and Answers.
Understanding the poem
1. Why does the poet prefer to be a primitive Pagan rather than a member of civilised society?
2. What, according to the poet., are human beings out of tune with?
Answer:
Understanding the Poem: “The World is Too Much With Us” by William Wordsworth
1. Why does the poet prefer to be a primitive Pagan rather than a member of civilized society?
The poet prefers to be a Pagan because Pagans, despite their outdated beliefs, had a strong connection with nature and the divine forces that govern it. By being a Pagan, Wordsworth believes he would be able to experience the awe and wonder of nature, symbolized by mythological figures like Proteus and Triton, which he feels are missing in modern society. He longs for a simpler time when people revered nature rather than being consumed by materialism, as in civilized society. He sees this connection to nature as a source of spiritual fulfillment, something that the modern world lacks.
2. What, according to the poet, are human beings out of tune with?
According to the poet, human beings are out of tune with nature. He laments that modern society has become so focused on material gains—“getting and spending”—that they no longer appreciate or feel connected to the natural world. This disconnection has caused them to lose the ability to feel moved or inspired by nature’s beauty and power, as they once might have been. Wordsworth expresses this as a loss of harmony between humans and the natural environment.
Try this out
Compare the organisation of this sonnet with that of the sonnet by william Shakespeare.
Answer:
Comparing the organization of William Wordsworth’s “The World is Too Much With Us” with a typical Shakespearean sonnet:
1. Structure:
- Wordsworth’s Sonnet: This poem is an Italian or Petrarchan sonnet. It consists of 14 lines divided into an octave (the first 8 lines) and a sestet (the last 6 lines).
- Shakespearean Sonnet: A Shakespearean sonnet also has 14 lines, but it follows a different structure: it is divided into three quatrains (four lines each) and ends with a rhymed couplet (two lines).
2. Rhyme Scheme:
- Wordsworth’s Sonnet: The rhyme scheme of the Petrarchan sonnet is typically ABBA ABBA in the octave, followed by a more flexible pattern in the sestet (often CDECDE or CDCDCD). In this poem, the rhyme scheme is ABBA ABBA CDDC DC.
- Shakespearean Sonnet: The rhyme scheme is ABAB CDCD EFEF GG, with the final rhymed couplet offering a conclusion or twist.
3. Volta (Turn of Thought):
- Wordsworth’s Sonnet: In the Petrarchan form, the volta (turn in thought or argument) typically occurs between the octave and the sestet (after the 8th line). In Wordsworth’s poem, the turn comes when he expresses his preference for being a Pagan, suggesting a shift from critique of materialism to yearning for a deeper connection with nature.
- Shakespearean Sonnet: In Shakespearean sonnets, the volta usually occurs around the 9th or 13th line, with a final resolution in the rhyming couplet. The concluding couplet often delivers a punchline or twist to the poem’s central theme.
4. Themes:
- Wordsworth’s Sonnet: The theme revolves around the disconnection between humanity and nature, emphasizing spiritual emptiness caused by materialism.
- Shakespearean Sonnets: Shakespeare’s sonnets often explore themes of love, time, beauty, and mortality, with more personal, introspective reflections, culminating in a resolution or insight in the final couplet.
5. Tone and Language:
- Wordsworth’s Sonnet: The tone is more reflective and melancholic, with a longing for the lost connection with nature.
- Shakespearean Sonnet: The tone can vary widely but often includes more playful or philosophical elements, particularly in the concluding couplet.
Conclusion:
In comparison, Wordsworth’s sonnet, following the Italian form, focuses on the theme of nature and human disconnection, with a reflective tone and a clear shift in the middle. Shakespearean sonnets, with their distinct quatrain-couplet structure, tend to build up ideas through quatrains and end with a more direct resolution or insight in the couplet. Both sonnets share the 14-line structure but differ significantly in organization, rhyme scheme, and thematic development.