The Prelude by William Wordsworth is a powerful autobiographical poem... Show more
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Extract from, The Prelude
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1 Jul 2025
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Extract from The Prelude GCSE Analysis and Key Quotes
E
Emmie
@emmie_uwim
Extract from The Prelude: Page 2 Analysis
The second page of this Extract from The Prelude analysis delves deeper into the psychological impact of the narrator's encounter with the mountain. The tone shifts dramatically from the confident beginning to a state of fear and awe.
Quote: "With trembling oars I turned, / And through the silent water stole my way / Back to the covert of the willow tree"
This passage illustrates the narrator's retreat, emphasizing his newfound respect and fear for nature's power. The use of "stole" echoes the earlier act of taking the boat, reinforcing the theme of guilt.
The poem then explores the long-lasting effects of this experience on the narrator's psyche. Wordsworth employs vague and unsettling language to convey the profound change in the narrator's worldview.
Highlight: "For many days, my brain / Worked with a dim and undetermined sense / Of unknown modes of being"
This passage underscores the transformative nature of the experience, showing how it altered the narrator's perception of reality and his place in the natural world.
Definition: Solitude - A state of being alone, often associated with isolation or reflection.
The poem concludes with powerful imagery that contrasts sharply with the serene opening. The narrator's mind is now filled with "huge and mighty forms" that trouble his dreams, representing a new, more complex understanding of nature.
Quote: "But huge and mighty forms, that do not live / Like living men, moved slowly through the mind / By day, and were a trouble to my dreams."
This final passage encapsulates the The Prelude key quotes that demonstrate the poem's central themes: the power of nature, the loss of innocence, and the profound impact of singular experiences on our perception of the world.
Through this extract, Wordsworth masterfully portrays a pivotal moment in the narrator's development, using vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the transformative power of nature and experience. This Extract from The Prelude GCSE Analysis provides valuable insights into Wordsworth's poetic style and his exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world.
Extract from The Prelude: Page 1 Analysis
The first page of this Extract from The Prelude poem pdf introduces us to a transformative experience in the young narrator's life. The poem opens with a peaceful summer evening scene, setting the stage for an adventure that will profoundly impact the narrator's perception of nature.
Quote: "One summer evening I found / A little boat tied to a willow tree"
These opening lines immediately establish the setting and introduce a sense of mystery with the ambiguous "her," likely personifying nature itself. The narrator's actions are described with a mix of excitement and unease.
Highlight: The phrase "It was an act of stealth / And troubled pleasure" encapsulates the conflicting emotions of the young narrator.
As the narrator sets out on the lake, Wordsworth's vivid imagery brings the scene to life. The boat moves through the water, leaving "Small circles glittering idly in the moon." This serene description contrasts sharply with the dramatic shift that occurs later in the poem.
Example: The simile "my boat / Went heaving through the water like a swan" conveys the narrator's initial confidence and control.
The narrator's demeanor changes abruptly when he encounters a massive mountain peak. This moment marks a turning point in the poem and in the narrator's understanding of nature.
Vocabulary: "Elfin pinnace" - A small, fairy-like boat, emphasizing the magical quality of the experience.
Wordsworth's use of personification becomes more pronounced as the mountain is described as having "voluntary power" and moving "like a living thing." This shift in language reflects the narrator's changing perception of nature from a passive backdrop to an active, potentially threatening force.
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Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
Extract from The Prelude GCSE Analysis and Key Quotes
E
Emmie
@emmie_uwim
The Prelude by William Wordsworth is a powerful autobiographical poem that explores the poet's relationship with nature and its impact on his personal growth. This Extract from The Prelude GCSE Analysisfocuses on a pivotal moment in the poet's youth,... Show more
Extract from The Prelude: Page 2 Analysis
The second page of this Extract from The Prelude analysis delves deeper into the psychological impact of the narrator's encounter with the mountain. The tone shifts dramatically from the confident beginning to a state of fear and awe.
Quote: "With trembling oars I turned, / And through the silent water stole my way / Back to the covert of the willow tree"
This passage illustrates the narrator's retreat, emphasizing his newfound respect and fear for nature's power. The use of "stole" echoes the earlier act of taking the boat, reinforcing the theme of guilt.
The poem then explores the long-lasting effects of this experience on the narrator's psyche. Wordsworth employs vague and unsettling language to convey the profound change in the narrator's worldview.
Highlight: "For many days, my brain / Worked with a dim and undetermined sense / Of unknown modes of being"
This passage underscores the transformative nature of the experience, showing how it altered the narrator's perception of reality and his place in the natural world.
Definition: Solitude - A state of being alone, often associated with isolation or reflection.
The poem concludes with powerful imagery that contrasts sharply with the serene opening. The narrator's mind is now filled with "huge and mighty forms" that trouble his dreams, representing a new, more complex understanding of nature.
Quote: "But huge and mighty forms, that do not live / Like living men, moved slowly through the mind / By day, and were a trouble to my dreams."
This final passage encapsulates the The Prelude key quotes that demonstrate the poem's central themes: the power of nature, the loss of innocence, and the profound impact of singular experiences on our perception of the world.
Through this extract, Wordsworth masterfully portrays a pivotal moment in the narrator's development, using vivid imagery and powerful language to convey the transformative power of nature and experience. This Extract from The Prelude GCSE Analysis provides valuable insights into Wordsworth's poetic style and his exploration of the relationship between humans and the natural world.
Sign up to see the contentIt's free!
Access to all documents
Improve your grades
Join milions of students
By signing up you accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy
Extract from The Prelude: Page 1 Analysis
The first page of this Extract from The Prelude poem pdf introduces us to a transformative experience in the young narrator's life. The poem opens with a peaceful summer evening scene, setting the stage for an adventure that will profoundly impact the narrator's perception of nature.
Quote: "One summer evening I found / A little boat tied to a willow tree"
These opening lines immediately establish the setting and introduce a sense of mystery with the ambiguous "her," likely personifying nature itself. The narrator's actions are described with a mix of excitement and unease.
Highlight: The phrase "It was an act of stealth / And troubled pleasure" encapsulates the conflicting emotions of the young narrator.
As the narrator sets out on the lake, Wordsworth's vivid imagery brings the scene to life. The boat moves through the water, leaving "Small circles glittering idly in the moon." This serene description contrasts sharply with the dramatic shift that occurs later in the poem.
Example: The simile "my boat / Went heaving through the water like a swan" conveys the narrator's initial confidence and control.
The narrator's demeanor changes abruptly when he encounters a massive mountain peak. This moment marks a turning point in the poem and in the narrator's understanding of nature.
Vocabulary: "Elfin pinnace" - A small, fairy-like boat, emphasizing the magical quality of the experience.
Wordsworth's use of personification becomes more pronounced as the mountain is described as having "voluntary power" and moving "like a living thing." This shift in language reflects the narrator's changing perception of nature from a passive backdrop to an active, potentially threatening force.
We thought you’d never ask...
What is the Knowunity AI companion?
Our AI Companion is a student-focused AI tool that offers more than just answers. Built on millions of Knowunity resources, it provides relevant information, personalised study plans, quizzes, and content directly in the chat, adapting to your individual learning journey.
Where can I download the Knowunity app?
You can download the app from Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
Is Knowunity really free of charge?
That's right! Enjoy free access to study content, connect with fellow students, and get instant help – all at your fingertips.
Can't find what you're looking for? Explore other subjects.
Students love us — and so will you.
4.9/5
App Store
4.8/5
Google Play
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user
The app is very easy to use and well designed. I have found everything I was looking for so far and have been able to learn a lot from the presentations! I will definitely use the app for a class assignment! And of course it also helps a lot as an inspiration.
Stefan S
iOS user
This app is really great. There are so many study notes and help [...]. My problem subject is French, for example, and the app has so many options for help. Thanks to this app, I have improved my French. I would recommend it to anyone.
Samantha Klich
Android user
Wow, I am really amazed. I just tried the app because I've seen it advertised many times and was absolutely stunned. This app is THE HELP you want for school and above all, it offers so many things, such as workouts and fact sheets, which have been VERY helpful to me personally.
Anna
iOS user
Best app on earth! no words because it’s too good
Thomas R
iOS user
Just amazing. Let's me revise 10x better, this app is a quick 10/10. I highly recommend it to anyone. I can watch and search for notes. I can save them in the subject folder. I can revise it any time when I come back. If you haven't tried this app, you're really missing out.
Basil
Android user
This app has made me feel so much more confident in my exam prep, not only through boosting my own self confidence through the features that allow you to connect with others and feel less alone, but also through the way the app itself is centred around making you feel better. It is easy to navigate, fun to use, and helpful to anyone struggling in absolutely any way.
David K
iOS user
The app's just great! All I have to do is enter the topic in the search bar and I get the response real fast. I don't have to watch 10 YouTube videos to understand something, so I'm saving my time. Highly recommended!
Sudenaz Ocak
Android user
In school I was really bad at maths but thanks to the app, I am doing better now. I am so grateful that you made the app.
Greenlight Bonnie
Android user
very reliable app to help and grow your ideas of Maths, English and other related topics in your works. please use this app if your struggling in areas, this app is key for that. wish I'd of done a review before. and it's also free so don't worry about that.
Rohan U
Android user
I know a lot of apps use fake accounts to boost their reviews but this app deserves it all. Originally I was getting 4 in my English exams and this time I got a grade 7. I didn’t even know about this app three days until the exam and it has helped A LOT. Please actually trust me and use it as I’m sure you too will see developments.
Xander S
iOS user
THE QUIZES AND FLASHCARDS ARE SO USEFUL AND I LOVE THE SCHOOLGPT. IT ALSO IS LITREALLY LIKE CHATGPT BUT SMARTER!! HELPED ME WITH MY MASCARA PROBLEMS TOO!! AS WELL AS MY REAL SUBJECTS ! DUHHH 😍😁😲🤑💗✨🎀😮
Elisha
iOS user
This apps acc the goat. I find revision so boring but this app makes it so easy to organize it all and then you can ask the freeeee ai to test yourself so good and you can easily upload your own stuff. highly recommend as someone taking mocks now
Paul T
iOS user