Poetry/Short Lit.

All selections relate to a writer’s insights about the role of human

beings as stewards of Earth.

As you read each piece, ask yourself:• What is the relationship of human beings with

the biophysical environment?• Do the technological advances of the last few

centuries constitute an improvement for humankindOR

• Are the innovations of the Industrial Revolution and technological modernity a slowly unfolding global catastrophe?

ROMANTICISM

• Intro Video

SONNETS• Usually associated with love/desire• Petrarchan/Italian: ABBA-ABBA-CDCDCD or

ABBA-ABBA-CDECDE• Shakespearean/English: ABAB-CDCD-EFEF-GG

SPEAKER

• Not always the poet• However, the speaker in Wordsworth’s

sonnets has very similar thoughts/beliefs to the poet.

LYRIC POETRY• Speaker reveals thoughts/feelings about an

intensely felt idea or experience

William Wordsworth

• Wordsworth Bio• Two sonnets we will study:– “The World is Too Much With Us”– “Steamboats, Viaducts, and Railways”– Both have revealing titles

“The World is Too Much With Us”

• Italian sonnet form• TENSION! (Human behavior vs. Natural

world)• Themes:– Humanity cheats itself by turning its back on

nature.– Nature provides spiritual renewal.

Poem Analysis

• Line 1:– “the world” = humanity, humankind– We are too caught up in our concern for the

limited/limiting ways of people.– “late and soon” = human failing, human urgency

• Line 2:– “Getting and spending” = multiple meanings(reproductive and financial connotations), but

definitely related to material/fiscal issues here

• Lines 5-9:– Soul-destroying numbness– We can’t be “moved” by nature because we have

“[lain] waste our powers”– VOLTA/TURN begins in line 8 – “we are out of tune”

but actually occurs in line 9. Can you find it?

• Line 9-10:– Wishes to be a Pagan because he can be closer to

nature, but this is not his first choice. He will only be “less forlorn.”

– Paganism = animate the natural world/divine presence

– Exclamation = tension between Christian era and Pagan past.

• Line 13-14:– Lesser-known Greek gods are both associated with

nature and the sea; shows intimate connection to nature

“Steamboats, Viaducts, and Railways”

• Written in 1833 (later in his life and at the start of the Victorian period); his ideas about the world had shifted.– Youthful rebelliousness conservative opinions– Yearning for communion with nature faith in

civilization’s progress

• Often wrote poems about life experiences with English landscape. (The Lake Poet)

• This poem shows different side of WW.

• Modified Italian sonnet (switched up line 6 and 7 AND the last 6 lines’ rhyme scheme)

• Used this sonnet to respond to the effects of the Industrial Revolution.

• Sonnet form became “available” for use with multiple ideas/topics (not just love).

• Theme:– The forms of human creation can sometimes be at

odds with a poet’s aesthetics.

Poem Analysis

• Title is emblematic• Comparison: Auto industry transformed 20th

Century America

• Line 1:– “Motions and Means” – manmade devices– In speaking to “them,” he is apostrophizing.

• Lines 1-5 have pauses in the middle (caesuras) which reinforce the tensions between human invention and the study of art and beauty. This form reflects the theme.

• Unusual capitalizations throughout (l. 1, 3, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12) – why?

• Also discusses the importance of Time in bringing about understanding and appreciation for technological advances. – Everyone will come around!

• Last word is “sublime,” which reflects his deep affinity for the aesthetics; awe-producing.

Closing Question

• Has technology become more of a help or a handicap for our society?