William Wordsworth: The Poetry of Grandeur and of Tenderness [Paperback]

First published in 1982. In this study of Wordsworths major poetry, the author explores the conflict between the poets celebration of an impersonal earth and his concern for the most intensely personal relationships. The opening chapter concentrates on Wordsworths struggle to describe the natural world and the extraordinary claims he makes for the natural landscape  which are shown to derive not from vague mysticism but precisely articulated common sense. The close readings of Michael, The Idiot Boy, Tintern Abbey and The Ruined Cottage, and poems as passages on solitaries are supported by generous quotations and discussion of other critical views.

Abbreviations; Introduction; 1 The Types and Symbols of Eternity  Crossing the Alps, The Prelude: (1805) vi. 488-572 and (1850) vi. 557-640 2 The Weakness of Humanity  The Ruined Cottage and The Pedlar 3 The Strength of Love  Michael 4 The Eye Among the Blind  The Idiot Boy and the Immortality Ode 5 The Eye of Nature  Earlier Solitaries: Old Man Travelling: Animal Tranquillity and Decay, The Old Cumberland Beggar and the Dischargd Soldier of The Prelude 6 The Minds Eye  Later Solitaries: Resolution and Independence and the Blind London Beggar of The Prelude 7 The Reach of Words  Spots of Time in The Prelude 8 The Burthen of the Mystery  Tintern Abbey, Surprised by Joy and After-thought; Notes; Index

First published in 1982. In this study of Wordsworths major poetry, the author explores the conflict between the poets celebration of an impersonal earth and his concern for the most intensely personal relationships. The opening chapter concentrates on Wordswortl#$