Page 3: The Prelude - The Climactic Encounter

This section of the Extract from The Prelude GCSE analysis focuses on the pivotal moment when the poet's perception of nature dramatically shifts. Wordsworth's masterful use of language and imagery brings this transformative experience to life, allowing readers to share in the awe and terror of the moment.

Quote: "When, from behind that craggy steep till then / The horizon's bound, a huge peak, black and huge, / As if with voluntary power instinct, / Upreared its head."

This powerful description marks the turning point of the poem. The sudden appearance of the "huge peak" from behind the craggy ridge the poet had been fixated on completely alters his perspective. The repetition of "huge" emphasizes the overwhelming size and presence of the mountain, while the phrase "As if with voluntary power instinct" imbues it with a sense of conscious, deliberate action.

Highlight: The personification of the mountain peak as having its own will and purpose underscores the poet's sense of nature as a living, powerful force.

The poet's reaction to this sight is one of both awe and fear. He describes striking his oars repeatedly, perhaps in an attempt to escape or simply in shock at the sight before him. The mountain is portrayed as actively pursuing him: "Strode after me."

Vocabulary: Anthropomorphism - The attribution of human characteristics or behavior to a god, animal, or object.

Wordsworth's use of anthropomorphism in describing the mountain's actions ("Upreared its head," "Strode after me") creates a vivid sense of the natural world as an active, even threatening presence. This technique effectively conveys the poet's emotional state and the profound impact of the experience.

The poet's retreat is described in terms that contrast sharply with his earlier confidence:

Quote: "With trembling oars I turned, / And through the silent water stole my way / Back to the covert of the willow tree;"

The "trembling oars" and the idea of stealing back to safety emphasize the poet's newfound humility and respect for nature's power. The willow tree, once simply a mooring place, now becomes a "covert" or hiding place, further underlining the shift in the poet's perception of his environment.

Example: The change in the poet's demeanor from confident rower to humbled observer illustrates the transformative power of this encounter with nature.

This section of the poem beautifully captures the moment of epiphany, where the poet's understanding of his place in the natural world is fundamentally altered. The experience leaves him in a "grave and serious mood," setting the stage for the lasting impact described in the final part of the extract.

Page 1: The Prelude - Setting the Scene

William Wordsworth's Extract from The Prelude GCSE analysis begins with a vivid description of a summer evening boat trip. The poet finds a small boat tied to a willow tree in a rocky cove and decides to take it out onto the lake. This seemingly simple act sets the stage for a profound encounter with nature that will leave a lasting impact on the poet's psyche.

Quote: "One summer evening (led by her) I found / A little boat tied to a willow tree / Within a rocky cove, its usual home."

The opening lines immediately establish the intimate connection between the poet and nature. The phrase "led by her" suggests that nature itself is guiding the poet's actions, foreshadowing the powerful role it will play in his experience.

Highlight: The boat is personified as female, referred to as "her," which could symbolize a maternal aspect of nature or reflect the common practice of referring to vessels as feminine.

As the poet unties the boat and pushes off from the shore, he describes his actions as "an act of stealth / And troubled pleasure." This oxymoron reveals the complex emotions at play – a mix of excitement and unease that hints at the transformative experience to come.

Vocabulary: Oxymoron - A figure of speech that combines contradictory terms for emphasis or effect.

The poet's journey across the lake is described in rich, sensory detail. Wordsworth paints a picture of "Small circles glittering idly in the moon" left behind by the boat's movement, creating a serene and almost magical atmosphere. The poet's initial confidence is evident as he rows with purpose, fixing his gaze on a distant craggy ridge.

Example: The line "I fixed my view / Upon the summit of a craggy ridge" illustrates the poet's initial sense of control and direction.

However, this sense of mastery over his environment is soon to be challenged. The poem builds tension as it describes the vast, star-filled sky above, setting the stage for the dramatic encounter that follows.