Dorothy Wordsworth did not want to be a writer, and even fought against having her works published saying they were meant only for her family. She wrote and allowed her writings to become public only through the insistence of her brother. She uses simple language to outline her powerful messages instead of camouflaging them with complex wordings. She provides very detailed and colorful situations of ordinary things.
In the Grasmere Journals Dorothy gives detailed descriptions of the actions of herself and those around her. Although many of the journals do not explain world changing events, she describes them in such a way that it attaches importance to these otherwise everyday occurrences. "The light of the fire made them a beautiful sight, with their innocent countenances, their rosy cheeks and glossy curling hair." (295) She shared a very special bond with her brother as the text points out that Mary Hutchinson was not simply marrying her brother William but marrying into that bond. (291)
In thoughts on my sick-bed Wordsworth describes the thoughts of herself struggling through debilitating illness. "Couchant within this feeble frame hath been enriched by kindred gifts, that, undesired, unsought-for came with joyful heart in youthful days.." (293) So Wordsworth seems to face her illness with an understanding that aging is a natural process and there is nothing she can do but accept it. Instead she thinks of the most beautiful things and finds herself among them. "No need of motion, or of strength, or even the breathing air: I thought of nature's loveliest scenes; and with memory I was there." (294) If this was truly the way she accepted her imminent death it seems to be a beautiful death. Too often we get caught up in the finality of death to really appreciate the lives that we each live. We all have these beautiful moments and what better time is their than sickness than to remember these times.
Thursday, May 31, 2007
William Wordsworth
Wordsworth was the son of Lord Lonsdale who was the main property owner of a beautiful yet isolated region. He shared a very special bond with his sister Dorothy, which he lived with for a large portion of his life. Wordsworth devoted himself to his poetry which caused him to fall out of favor with the people of his time. His conservative political views also bothered some critics but he was appointed Poet Laureate in 1843. (196) For me Wordsworth was much easier to read than Blake. He was much more straightfoward with his ideas and although his writings were very powerful I felt alot more comfortable with my understanding of what he was really trying to say.
His poem entitled Micheal tells a story about a shepard who lost everything he had gained his in life because he had to guarantee a bad loan. In an attempt to save his land Micheal asked Luke to reach out to a wealthy relative for help.
"Our Luke shall leave us, Isabel; the land shall not go from us, and it shall be free; He shall possess it, free as is the wind that passes over it. We have thou knowest, another kinsman, he will be our friend in this distress." (223)
All Micheal had was his family and his property and as soon as he died he lost both. The land that he had hoped would be taken by his son Luke was instead sold off to a stranger. "At Isabels death the estate was sold, and went into a stranger's hand." (227) The main point that can be received from this is although Micheal might not have had alot, he was proud of what he had. He was extremely proud of his son for going to his wealthy relative for help to pay their debt and was proud of the land he had acquired through his life. This shows that happiness can be found in all situations. Micheal found his happiness through the simple things in life such as family and property. He was by no means wealthy yet he was able to appreciate what he had, while he had it. He did not complain about the misfortune that he faced, he simply tried to find a way to overcome the difficulties.
His poem entitled Micheal tells a story about a shepard who lost everything he had gained his in life because he had to guarantee a bad loan. In an attempt to save his land Micheal asked Luke to reach out to a wealthy relative for help.
"Our Luke shall leave us, Isabel; the land shall not go from us, and it shall be free; He shall possess it, free as is the wind that passes over it. We have thou knowest, another kinsman, he will be our friend in this distress." (223)
All Micheal had was his family and his property and as soon as he died he lost both. The land that he had hoped would be taken by his son Luke was instead sold off to a stranger. "At Isabels death the estate was sold, and went into a stranger's hand." (227) The main point that can be received from this is although Micheal might not have had alot, he was proud of what he had. He was extremely proud of his son for going to his wealthy relative for help to pay their debt and was proud of the land he had acquired through his life. This shows that happiness can be found in all situations. Micheal found his happiness through the simple things in life such as family and property. He was by no means wealthy yet he was able to appreciate what he had, while he had it. He did not complain about the misfortune that he faced, he simply tried to find a way to overcome the difficulties.
The Poetic Genius
Although William Blake was not formally educated, he provides some of the most vibrant poetry through his eccentricity and imagination. He work was not appreciated during his life, and his work became more popular as an inspiration for the Beat poets of the 1950's and 1960's. (74)
The most interesting thing that I found in the writings of William Blake was the idea of the Poetic Genius. "That the Poetic Genius is the true man, and that the body or outward form of man is derived from the Poetic Genius." (76) He argues that it is this genius that has created everything so that all religions are simply deviations upon one thought. The reception of the Poetic Genius is the reason that Blake says there are different religions. So the only real difference for Blake regarding different religions is how these people understood the Poetic Genius. The ideas of angels, demons, and spirits all come out of the Poetic Genius. Therefore the religious differences that have endured throughout history are trivial to Blake because these religions are all of one thought.
Blake writes that man could not acquire knowledge from acquired knowledge, so a universal Poetic Genius has to exist. (77) That being said the knowledge that is available is already known, so that to find more knowledge you have to rely on something else. People cannot simply rely on old knowledge to progress but they should look to the Poetic Genius of man to continue their ascension into new ideology. Blake also believes that all men are alike in outward form as well as in the Poetic Genius. So there is some sort of common state of man that is universal and the only real differences are those brought on by the differences of interpretation of the Poetic Genius.
The most interesting thing that I found in the writings of William Blake was the idea of the Poetic Genius. "That the Poetic Genius is the true man, and that the body or outward form of man is derived from the Poetic Genius." (76) He argues that it is this genius that has created everything so that all religions are simply deviations upon one thought. The reception of the Poetic Genius is the reason that Blake says there are different religions. So the only real difference for Blake regarding different religions is how these people understood the Poetic Genius. The ideas of angels, demons, and spirits all come out of the Poetic Genius. Therefore the religious differences that have endured throughout history are trivial to Blake because these religions are all of one thought.
Blake writes that man could not acquire knowledge from acquired knowledge, so a universal Poetic Genius has to exist. (77) That being said the knowledge that is available is already known, so that to find more knowledge you have to rely on something else. People cannot simply rely on old knowledge to progress but they should look to the Poetic Genius of man to continue their ascension into new ideology. Blake also believes that all men are alike in outward form as well as in the Poetic Genius. So there is some sort of common state of man that is universal and the only real differences are those brought on by the differences of interpretation of the Poetic Genius.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
About Me
My name is Jeremy Mckay and I am a fifth year senior at Mercer. This is my last semester at Mercer and I took this class to fulfill my English requirement. I have took online classes at other places but this is my first one at Mercer. I prefer online classes because they allow you to do your work on your own time.
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