Daffodils by William Wordsworth - Essay Example

English Daffodils “Daffodils” as written by William Wordsworth employ the use of imagery to depict the freedom that is enjoyed by those who live in solitude. Wordsworth shows that it is possible to live without a partner or a relationship and to enjoy life at the same time. While living without a relationship, one enjoys freedom to move and to travel far and wide. Wordsworth uses the lines “I wandered lonely as a cloud / That floats on high oer vales and hills” (Lines 1 – 2) to show that someone living in solitude is not held back by anything and is free to move to wherever they wish. However, at times it may get lonely to be single and out of any relationship. The imagery is utilized in the poem is evident when Wordsworth uses the flower daffodil throughout the poem. Daffodil is a flower that blooms I the spring, a season that brings a sense of rejuvenation, rebirth and renewal. The flower in itself is commonly used as a symbol of friendship. Wordsworth uses the flower to show that even in solitude; there are still a lot of friends that can keep a single man happy in life. He consoles himself with friends in place of a relationship. The word “crowd” (3) refers to the magnitude of friends that Wordsworth has. It is the dancing and close relations with friends that give Wordsworth a sense of belonging. Wordsworth gives the friends a high ranking when he compares them to “stars” (7). His use of nature to depict friendship and companionship is articulate as he uses words like “heads” while referring to the flowers. This is evident when Wordsworth writes, “Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.” This humanly approach to objects of nature depicts the ability of nature to comfort an individual. It shows that even when one is without friends in the horizon, one can still interact with nature to avoid boredom. There is high magnitude of the flowers which otherwise are intended to be a form of imagery depicting friends. When Wordsworth writes, “Continuous as the stars that shine / And twinkle on the milky way” (7 – 8), he intends to express the fact that the flowers, which also symbolize friends; are so many that others are not seen but still exist in the imagination. The Milky Way is existent in the solar system and cannot be seen with the naked eye. The fact that it is not visible does not mean that it does not exist. If one ventures in to the Milky Way, they will surely experience the pleasant beauty of other stars. The same thing applies when one ventures in to the unknown. One may think that as they venture into the unknown they may lack beauty of nature and warmth of friendship, but Wordsworth uses the Milky Way to express his belief that even in the unknown, the warmth of friendship exists. The waves in the lake were relatively strong and glamorous, pushed by the breeze. However, the magnificence of the daffodils was significantly more charming than that of the waves. The artist could not take his eyes off the brilliant daffodils. He stayed excited by their magnificence. He started to ponder what an incredible abundance of nature he had unearthed. Despite the unstable environment that the daffodils lay, they seemed to be enjoying every moment of it. “The waves beside them danced; but they / Out-did the sparkling waves in glee” (13 – 14) the dancing waves created an unstable environment for the daffodils. There are usually many challenges in life that people encounter. However, friends seem to be all entertaining regardless of those challenges that they face. Wordsworth compares friends to wealth. He writes “In such a jocund company / I gazed—and gazed—but little thought / What wealth the show to me had brought” (16 – 18). Wordsworth understood that a writer who was powerless to natural grace really wanted to feel upbeat in the vicinity of such gay and wonderful blossoms. He looked at them, barely recognizing what gigantic fortune he was gathering in his brain. It was equally a sight to behold, daffodils dancing in the lake and the waves blowing from side to side. This scene brought a feeling of wealth and relaxation to Wordsworth as the flowers seemed cheerful in their existence. Wordsworth stopped thinking about loneliness and instead started to contemplate the wealth that surrounds him. The experience brought warmth and treasured memories to Wordsworth, something that he keeps on remembering everywhere he goes. The poem started with Wordsworth moving all over in pursuit of friendship and consolation but the sight and experience at the shore brought him relaxation. In the final paragraph, Wordsworth has changed from one who is moving all over to an individual that is relaxed and appreciative. As Wordsworth articulates, “I wandered lonely as a cloud” (1), he helps the reader to understand his livelihood at the moment, which is one of a restless individual who is lonely. In the final paragraph however, Wordsworth writes, “For oft, when on my couch I lie” (19). Wordsworth has roamed and gained a lot of experience and now he is relaxed, resting and contented with the experience, believing that he is a wealthy man. This lovely experience with the daffodils by the lake stayed torpid in Wordsworth mind. When he was forlorn or his spirits were low, the memory of his experience with the daffodils would surface, filling his mind with gigantic joy. Subsequently, the scene stayed as a valuable treasure and an in-expendable wellspring of happiness for Wordsworth. In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude; And then my heart with pleasure fills, And dances with the daffodils The memories of the daffodils console and manifest whenever Wordsworth is alone. He has moved from feeling lonely to feeling comfortable. Even when Wordsworth is alone, he believes in the warmth of friendship. He believes that the friends are still out there dancing, having fun and entertaining and as a result, he dances with them at heart. Read More