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.

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'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.

Blogging Community

http://coleridgewjr.blogspot.com/

I was recently looking at the blog titled "Coleridge Symbolism and Meanings". The post on common sense really got me thinking, and that is so true. The quote "common sense in a an uncommon degree is what the world calls wisdom" is pretty much saying that if you have common sense, for instance to not j-walk in traffic, then that is just something that comes with maturity. When you are in a situation that's not as popular though and for example instead of just putting savings into one stock and investing in that one stock and only that one, which is a good idea, but investing in more than one stock and watching and using common sense in that aspect. That’s what I think wisdom is. I agree with Wade’s idea about how what Coleridge does is nice because his thoughts and theories are not just meant for the people of high education, but that his ideas are universal to any age and can be summarized to fit into every day experiences. If someone were looking for examples of what this quote means, I think if they skimmed over his post it would definitely give them a GOOD idea. I personally think the entire blog for that matter has some great information and ideas on what Coleridge’s beliefs and philosophies were based on. The quote “advice is like snow, the softer it falls the longer it dwells upon, and the deeper it sinks into the mind”, I think it means that if advice is given subliminally or given lightly and not drilled in as a “rule”, then it will tend take more effect being something just said that is wise. The visual part of this blog is also very inviting, I enjoy Coleridge’s artwork. You can see in his artwork what his beliefs are summarizing just by how they are put together. I think Coleridge has a main belief in the deeper meaning of things and that if you think about things more than once that you will finally get to that good conclusion with time. I enjoy Coleridge’s work and I find it quite intriguing, and I feel that this blog definitely sums him up in a box very well. 

Unforgiving

The air so delicate

Every breath taken as if oxygen itself is disappearing

Trying to break out of the cage that holds you back from reality

The feeling of not being able to move

Not being able to speak

Not being able to think clearly

The faint noise of a ventilator off in the distance

The car beginning to seem to thrash side to side as if it has a mind of its own

The trees and cars passing within a blink

The air growing thin and fear beginning to fill

Sleet thrashing against the brisk foggy windshield

Hearts pounding and hopes begin to sink

Joy and happiness all and all stand still

A field in the distance clashing against a horizon of only chance

Minutes racing by while some are left behind

Time and all begin to soon be a blur

Thoughts and words all jumbled, wishing they had been said

Dreams and reality in a bind

Sounds and noises a complete slur

Like a form of plague taking the forgiving and helpless

Laughter and smiles replaced by sobs and tears

Familiar faces walking in a daze

The white walls seem to want to take whoever they can hostage

Feel and hear angels begin to cheer

Rushing way through the building a maze

Each room like a cell, containing the taking over maleficent

Tubes carrying unknown substances, like ill octopus tentacles

The fowl overwhelming stench of ammonia and disinfectant shredding the nostrils of the visiting

If only there was a cure

Taking each step as if the lives of loved ones depended on the placement of the next

Then the shrill beeping noise once again seeming closer as ever

Clangorously like the sound of the bellowing innocent

Fighting for mercy putting their lives delay

Getting there at last only to see them fade away


Written by Kody Oldham