Wordsworth's Organic View Of Nature

William Wordsworth, the most distinguished Romantic poet, ranks among the greatest Nature poets in the history of English literature. He is renowned for conveying the loveliness and wonders of the natural world, the depth and intensity of his own involvement with external nature as well as probing the relationship between man and the natural world. Nature, a recurring theme in Wordsworth's poetry, is now being frequently discussed in relation to other extrinsic systems (politics, feminism, ecology, etc.), and it has become quite a controversial topic in the circle of Wordsworthian criticism. Wordsworth's reputation as a Nature poet is therefore now and then questioned and challenged. This thesis, firmly grounded on a close reading of Wordsworth's short lyrics as well as his masterpiece—The Prelude, tries to recuperate the simple and original aspects of Wordsworth's poetry, to integrate the organic view of Nature discursively underlying his poetry into a system, and to defend Wordsworth's status as a great Nature poet. In this sense, though following a traditional direction initiated by Matthew Arnold, this thesis may be taken as a bold counter-reading against the prevailing "counter-intuitive" and "skeptical" readings of Wordsworth's Nature philosophy. In light of the social and cultural background of Wordsworth's creation, and in particular, Wordsworth's life experience involved in Nature's pervasive and profound power, this thesis examines Wordsworth's organic view of Nature in detail, including its key ideas and the attitude that preconditions it. From his unique disposition and life experience, Wordsworth feels that we have to maintain a "wise passiveness" in actively seeking communion with Nature, resisting the interference of analytic reason. Only such an open, appreciative attitude can lead us to the apprehension of the true essence of Nature. Nature in Wordsworth's view is an integrated living organism, covering both human world and natural world, animate and inanimate beings alike. Wordsworth thinks that all beings in Nature are alive and they embody and manifest the same supreme spirit of Nature. Therefore, while existing as equal and autonomous individuals in Nature, all beings, in particular, human beings and the natural world are linked together by an intrinsic affinity. Being interdependent, interactive and interpenetrating, they together contribute to the richness and profundity of Nature. Each being derives its position and meaning from the reciprocal relationship with other beings within the organic whole of Nature. Nature achieves its utmost perfection when all its elements exist in a harmonious union. In probing and imparting the plain yet significant truth of Nature to his reader, Wordsworth has brilliantly fulfilled his role as the prophet of Nature. To him, we shall pay our high tribute.