Author (Your Name)

Matt Testa, Colby College

Date of Award

1991

Document Type

Honors Thesis (Colby Access Only)

Department

Colby College. English Dept.

Advisor(s)

John Mizner

Abstract

That William Wordsworth was a poet of nature, its powers and preachings, is widely known and commonly discussed in critical works. Rarely considered, though, are the specific forms of nature that intrigued and inspired Wordsworth the most – mountains. Wordsworth is frequently recognized as a "landscape" or "romantic" poet, and his titles probably owe their origins to the ubiquitous inocation of nature and scenery in his verse. It is therefore a matter of no little significance to say that, to Wordsworth, no other earthly entities were as emblematic of all that was wonderful about nature as were mountains. Of all the interactions with nature that are expounded in his poetry, none are as revelationary, inspirational, enlightening, or euphoric as those that occur in the midst of an alpine landscape. Includes original work, "The Sheriff", a short story inspired by some of the concerns of this thesis.

Comments

Full-text access is restricted to Colby College.

Keywords

poetry, nature, mountain, inspiration, solitude

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