Reading response #3

“A Voice, A Mystery”: Wordsworth’s Cuckoo, by David Mulry is an Article I found especially intriguing. In this article the author clearly states how they believe that Wordsworth’s cuckoo in “To the Cuckoo” is a complex symbol of nature. The author makes it clear that the birds physical being and presence is not the main focus of what Wordsworth is intending to portray. The author states how while the poet is laying in the grass, he invites the viewer to join him in listening to the “twin fold shout” (line 6) of the birds melodic harmony. How the “cuc-koo” gives multiple parts to the meaning of the bird. Its voice and sounds of beauty, and its stature and physical being of a graceful animal. Wordsworth compares the bird to nature and its surroundings, and how they are both endless in what they can produce and give. Also being as beautiful and elegant as the bird’s music. The author also makes known how “the cuc-koo, also refers to a number of other dualities and parallels that Wordsworth explores in this poem, including that of body and spirit, bird and poet, present and past, and presentand future, all of which are entwined with Wordsworth’s portrait of the bird.” The author suggests how Wordsworth has exact opposite viewings of things during all of his work. In the first stanza “O Cuckoo! Shall I call thee bird, / or but a wandering voice?”, or later in the fourth stanza, “Thrice welcome, darling of the spring! / No bird, but just an invisible thing.” Wordsworth is always claiming he knows things are what they are, and then later contradicts himself in disagreeing, but backed up once again later by stating his beliefs as true once again. Wordsworth’s cuckoo, as a marker of transition, is described in the third stanza as bringing “visionary hours” (12) by Mulry. The language of the final stanza is showing us how his world is viewed. “Again appears” tells us quite clearly that Wordsworth’s modern world is beyond the shadow of doubt changed, and for the worse. “The word “pace” suggests to us the image of life as a burden or a chore. Coleridge’s protagonist is restored through his religious belief in the importance of nature; so, too, is Wordsworth’s speaker as he hears the Cuckoo’s cry; nature again proves itself a healing balm.” The end of the poem offers apromising discovery, the “unsubstantial, fairy place” that is the counterpart of the

normal world we generally dwell in.

           

This article has quite a bit of information and meaning backed behind it and the poem it’s about. I think Mulry did a great job of deciphering this poem and finding what it was about and comparing it to Wordsworth’s philosophy’s and ideas, nevertheless his own life as well. I agree and think that the Bird in the poem in definitely a strong symbol of nature, life, and even society. This poem shows how the poet has a habit of thinking with opposites, as that’s just how the world works. As seen in my group’s blog, we tried to make it clear as possible that Wordsworth is greatly influenced by nature. He finds nature to be the center of mankind and all it gives. The poet feels that if nature is everything we are, then isn’t that all there is to it, we came with the earth. If nature wasn’t here, we would be nothing and diminish. Nature is his energy source and motivation, without nature there is no motivation. Nature is us, and we are nature. Wordsworth’s quote “Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher”, is a perfect example of this. We don’t need anything but nature. Nature gives us Nurture, love, health, inspiration, motivation and well being. If you let yourself go and don’t worry about what’s right or wrong and just let nature take you and guide you along the path to fulfillment, then you won’t have anything to regret. I as well feel that all these things are true. I believe that everything has a purpose and everything is meant to be. That if something wasn’t supposed to happen, then it simply will not. But if an emergency can happen, then it will. Overall I found this article exciting and a quick but delightful read. It definitely gives well written reasoning to what this poems core meaning is.

blogging community

http://www.thehottestpeopleinturnersclass.blogspot.com/

The title of the blog I looked at was “The Blake Blog That’s Better Than the “Best Blake Blog.” The title was the first thing that caught my eye, it was funny. The background and just the look of the blog was good looking and neat. The pictures that they had at the end of a lot of the posts make it more intriguing to read.  I thought it was really interesting how MJ put in a video about “The Tyger” it shows a different point of view and how not all people see the same message being sent out to them in poetry when you read it your interpretation is different than anyone else reading the same passage. If someone did not know anything about Romanticism this blog would be very useful and teach not directly on Romanticism but on William Blake, one of the six great poets of that era.  It gives a lot of more in depth talking about William Blake than you would find on a website about him. The group that did this blog really put time into all the posts and it shows in not just the length but the quality of writing in those posts. This blog is important because it showed us (at least my group) a deeper understanding of the poets and how they became who they were. It also taught us how to blog and create one, now after groups created one I think that mostly all of the people could (if they were asked) make one and be successful in doing so. I think the article that struck me the most was the one about Robert F. Gleckner and how he helped her (MJ) understand poems better and how that with others input with their opinions on how they saw the poems meaning it helps you (the reader) more. On other blogs they didn’t have an opening couple paragraphs that introduce the people in the blogs group members and it really was different and a good idea. It shared what this blog was about. There was more than one video and all it did was create that extra information to share to the readers that don’t know anything about Romanticism or William Blake.

Come Forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher

William Wordsworth is man solely based on nature, science, love and death. Many of his famous quotes have to do with how science is what he bases the fact in his life off of, nature is the beauty in his life, death is what is taking society, and love finds its way into things now and again but it’s rare. The quote “Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher” is one of his quotes that shows the significance of his view on nature. The poet feels that you shouldn’t have to think about what other people think, or if things are right or not, but to just let nature take its course and take you with it where ever it made lead. He is saying that if you are confused or wants to get to the deeper meaning and core of things, then don’t try hard because that will only confuse you and turn you in the wrong direction. Just give up your all and let whatever feels right take you and if nature wants you do unordinary things then so be it. William Wordsworth looks at nature as not just plants, or flowers, or trees, or mountains, or lakes. But as almost a kind of spirit that is incredibly beautiful. He and for that matter all the romantics would never look at a lake a say “oh, it’s water, it’s cold but pretty”, and leave it at that. They find something to compare to the aspect of nature and make the piece of nature turn instantly symbolic. Although love is a major part of his life, William Wordsworth doesn’t talk about romance or love all that often in his poems. Strangely enough I thought at the beginning of this whole Romanism unit that all these people were kings of game, but I was wrong in some aspects. Unlike other poets, Romanics don’t focus on all those sappy love poems. I think they replace part of love with science and figure things out that way instead. They never just look at something either and leave it, depth is always mandatory. I enjoyed the quote “Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher”, and I think that the romantics in a way have life pretty much figured out and I find all their theories and quotes particularly inspiring.

The Solitary Reaper

http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/w/williamwor390543.html

As I was roaming the internet for good quotes I came across this one. "I listened, motionless and still; and, as I mounted up the hill, the music in my heart I bore, long after it was heard no more." I think this quote is something that applies to everybody's lives. I think what Wordsworth is trying to say by this is how goals are something that we strive for. When you’re trying to get up to the top of a mountain for instance and you struggle and struggle to climb and climb. You get to the top and there is that sigh of relief that you made it. You can’t seem to hear anything; vision goes blurry because all the blood has rushed to your head. That feeling of completion and that you’re on top of the world; that you’re unstoppable. For instance that same feeling you get when you take your driver’s test and you’re all nervous and adrenaline’s running because of the chance that you won’t pass. As you sit in that seat and turn the key there is a whole different feeling that comes upon you. The feeling and desire to want to fulfill your challenge. You know you know the material and how to pass it, but when you get in that position you tense up. Grabbing hold of that fear and that thought that you can’t do it, and pushing to strive to the top and succeed is something that is well worth it in the end. And then when you get that feeling that “wow, I actually did it”.  It’s an incredible feeling. Surreal I should say. I think this quote is an inspirational quote as well. I think that it’s also saying that “if you put your mind to it anything is possible”. I have grown up knowing that that is how things are done, to never give up. If something doesn’t work the first time, try and try again till you feel complete. Till you get to the top of the mountain and can breathe all that crisp air. Knowing that you did it as well as you are capable of.

Wordsworth quote

“Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.”
                            - William Wordsworth


This quote was very inspiring because it said a lot to me. One thing that it said to me was if you push yourself to learn something it could be a lot harder to learn then just learning it naturally. If you find something that seems natural to you to do then it will be very easy on you but if you push yourself to do something that doesn’t feel natural, it just doesn’t work very well. Another thing that it says to me is don’t try to make yourself something that your not , because it can only lead to disaster and no one wants their life to fall apart just because they are trying to be cool. It is crazy what lengths people will go to just to try to fit in and they just try too hard to be liked by people. Maybe it’s the pressure most teens put on other teens, but once you find friends it doesn’t matter how you are they will like you for who you are. The last thing it tells me is that everything will make sense to you if you just stay open minded about things and not be so close minded. Close minded people seem to be stuck up and all neat and very judgmental, they don’t like to adapt to sudden changes. Its like they find a track and just stay on course, go through life working hard to make money but then they don’t have time to do anything, some even push their closest friends away. Open minded people seem like they can adapt well and they always have fun, they make the best of their day , look at the good things that happened and forget about the bad things. They almost never don’t get mad, the downside is that they don’t care about a lot, mostly go through life having as much fun as possible and with no regrets. This made me think for a little while and I just couldn’t find something to talk about and that’s why I chose this quote by William Wordsworth. You have probably herd this a million times but I have to say it again, be who you are and you will get the respect you want, but try and be something your not and you wont go anywhere.

Wordsworth's view on nature

This picture to most people of today’s society would be a normal dead looking tree. Some might say that it looks cool because of its jagged parts and eerie appearance. Its black and white contrast might give off the feeling of sadness as well. Now this is one of the main differences between today’s society and William Wordsworth’s views and philosophy on nature. While society would see this picture as something bland and boring, this famous poet would see this image as artwork and a symbol of death. If I were to try to describe the way that he exactly see’s nature it would be quite complex. The trunk of the tree symbolizes the center of life, the core of what the tree represents and stands for. The limbs branching off the tree represents society and how it is always changing and growing. Holes in the tree represent defects in society and how as society grows, problems do too. The bark on the tree symbolizes how society is covered with a blanket of the truth, and how what we see and think is true or meant to be, is not the main idea at all. Nature is a crazy and mysterious thing at times. It can be just as you see it, or it can be anything that you want it to be and have deeper meaning. The sky in this picture also has key symbolism. Its dark shades of black and grey in a gothic like pattern are like death and how it’s almost “taking over” this scene. It’s also kind of interesting how there are living trees off in the distance that look as if they almost circle and barricade the dead tree. Almost like how People with more money tend to circle around and look down to the poor and disabled. As if they are better and have the right to neglect the less fortunate. This photo having the grey scale effect gives the viewer a cold and dreary feeling, like the feeling of depression almost. I really enjoy looking at photography a lot like this, and seeing the connection that Wordsworth makes is intriguing to me.

Anyone... Why Her?

She’s a child when it all began.

So innocent and yet so rebellious throughout it all.

Covering those emotions, just wanting to burst out.

She needs someone, someone who is like her.

No one, there is no one. Help all she wants to be is a child a girl that wants nothing more than a chance to be happy the way she is and the way she is made.

She thinks nothing will change, life will always be the same.

What’s life if there is no happiness?

Happiness, is that even a word?

To some it is “all” life is nothing can break them down, they are better than everyone and everything.

“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness” (Declaration of Independence)

That’s what everyone says every man is created equal, then why is she, an innocent child not equal?

She’s taught to put on a face, a face that shows nothing.

Happy, joy, love those aren’t words to her. Deceiving ones who should be the one that show and teaches her all those “word,” love, joy, happiness.

The girl she’s so strong, sweet and caring, where does she learn it?

There’s not just deceiving people in the world, people like him care.

Yes, once again love is a word.

So much for a little girl, too much for just an ordinary one.

Where to start, learning new things every day, it’s not the past anymore life’s new that little girl is growing up and is not the same people around who care and love.

This girl is a new girl, but why still does the past linger.

Will there ever be a reason to why it had to be this little girl?