Natural Selection

In his work, “Lines written a few miles above Tintern Abbey,” William Wordsworth labels himself a “worshipper of Nature” (Line 153). His deeply entwined relationship with nature seems to inform all of his works, especially “Lines… above Tintern Abbey,” and “Lines written in early spring.”

In “…early spring,” Wordsworth seems to argue that the simple actions of hopping, playing birds and budding twigs represent a better and more pleasurable experience than human life. The opening stanza indicates that even while he reclines, relaxed, his pleasant thoughts “bring sad thoughts to the mind” (Line 4), while “every flower… enjoys the air it breathes” (Lines 11-12). I believe the entire poem sums up a general statement from Wordsworth, contending that as man has become more complex, he has forgotten the simplistic beauty that surrounds him. Most individuals take air, trees, birds, etc. for granted; they are elements of life that have always been there. Perhaps Wordsworth is arguing that the growth of complexity of man is due to his loss of awareness of life’s simple pleasures.

After all, Wordsworth was said to have learned more from nature and his travel experiences than from his studies. His “Lines… above Tintern Abbey” were composed following a trip there with his sister in the summer of 1798. The attitude is very different – while the reverence for nature is in both, this one seems to be more positive, perhaps due to the timing of its creation. It was said that Wordsworth spent cold winters cooped up in his home; “…early spring” may be the backlash of too much wintertime to think. “Tintern Abbey,” however, was written two weeks into July – the height of summer, it can be argued. “Tintern” seems to claim that nature helps us keep our faith in hope and good, and has an everlasting comfort value, which keeps our minds occupied to avoid any alternative states of evil or negativity. If this is the case, it can be proof to the attitude adjustment seen in Wordsworth’s “…early spring,” a reaction to the loss of his source of comforting solace and strength during the cold, dead winters.