Page 2: The Retreat and Psychological Impact

The second page of the Extract from The Prelude GCSE analysis focuses on the narrator's retreat from the lake and the profound psychological impact of his encounter with the mountain peak. The tone shifts dramatically from the initial confidence to one of fear and introspection.

The narrator, now described as having "trembling oars," turns the boat back towards the willow tree where he found it. This physical retreat mirrors his emotional state, as he steals his way through the silent water, emphasizing the sense of being an intruder in nature's domain.

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

After securing the boat, the narrator begins his journey home through the meadows. His mood is described as "grave and serious," indicating the profound effect the experience has had on him. This marks the beginning of a period of deep reflection and psychological transformation.

Highlight: The phrase "grave and serious mood" underscores the significant impact of the experience on the narrator's state of mind, contrasting sharply with his initial confidence.

The poem then delves into the long-lasting effects of this encounter on the narrator's psyche. For many days following the event, his mind is described as working with a "dim and undetermined sense of unknown modes of being." This suggests a fundamental shift in his understanding of the world and his place in it.

Vocabulary: "Undetermined sense" - This phrase refers to a vague or unclear feeling or understanding, emphasizing the narrator's struggle to fully comprehend his experience.

The psychological impact is further illustrated through vivid imagery of darkness and solitude hanging over the narrator's thoughts. Familiar and pleasant images of nature are replaced by "huge and mighty forms" that haunt his mind during the day and trouble his dreams at night.

Example: The lines "No familiar shapes / Remained, no pleasant images of trees, / Of sea or sky, no colours of green fields;" demonstrate how the experience has altered the narrator's perception of even the most familiar aspects of nature.

The poem concludes with a powerful description of these imposing forms moving slowly through the narrator's mind, emphasizing the lasting and transformative nature of his encounter with the mountain peak. This final image reinforces the theme of nature's power to inspire both awe and unease, fundamentally changing one's worldview.

Definition: Blank verse - The poem is written in blank verse, which consists of unrhymed lines in iambic pentameter (ten syllables per line with alternating unstressed and stressed syllables). This form mirrors everyday speech patterns and allows for a natural flow of narrative and emotion.

The Extract from The Prelude structure is divided into three distinct sections: the initial confidence and boat journey, the encounter with the mountain peak, and the reflection on the experience's impact. This structure effectively conveys the narrator's emotional and psychological journey, from self-assurance to awe and introspection.

Page 1: The Boat Journey and the Mountain's Appearance

The first page of the Extract from The Prelude poem pdf introduces the setting and initial actions of the narrator. It begins with a young man finding a small boat tied to a willow tree in a rocky cove on a summer evening. The narrator's decision to take the boat out onto the lake sets the stage for the transformative experience that follows.

Highlight: The poem's opening line, "One summer evening (led by her) I found," immediately establishes the setting and introduces an element of personification, suggesting nature's guiding influence.

The narrator's actions are described with a mix of determination and unease. He unties the boat and pushes off from the shore, an act described as both stealthy and pleasurable, yet troubled. This contradiction in emotions foreshadows the complex experience to come.

Quote: "It was an act of stealth / And troubled pleasure, nor without the voice / Of mountain-echoes did my boat move on;"

As the boat moves across the lake, the poem paints a serene picture of the surroundings. The narrator observes the moonlight creating circles of light on the water's surface, which eventually merge into a single track of sparkling light. This imagery contributes to the initial peaceful atmosphere.

Vocabulary: "Elfin pinnace" - This phrase is used to describe the boat, suggesting it has a magical or otherworldly quality. A pinnace is a small boat, often used as a tender for larger ships.

The narrator's confidence grows as he rows, focusing his gaze on a distant craggy ridge. This confidence is reflected in the simile comparing the boat's movement to that of a swan, graceful and assured. However, this self-assurance is about to be dramatically challenged.

Example: The line "Went heaving through the water like a swan" exemplifies the use of simile to convey the narrator's initial confidence and the boat's smooth movement.

The appearance of the mountain peak marks a significant shift in the poem's tone. Described as "huge" and "black," the peak seems to rise up suddenly behind the ridge, catching the narrator off guard. The repetition of "huge" emphasizes the overwhelming size and impact of this natural feature.

Highlight: The sudden appearance of the mountain peak is a crucial moment in the poem, marking the transition from the narrator's confidence to a state of awe and unease.

The personification of the mountain, described as having "voluntary power instinct" and moving with "purpose of its own," adds to the sense of the natural world as a living, potentially threatening force. This personification continues as the peak is described as striding after the narrator, growing in stature and becoming increasingly menacing.