Wordsworth and his river V

This sonnet is a perfect example of the changes from the Enlightenment (or age of reason) to Romanticism. This poem is one of a series of sonnets about the River Duddon, written in 1820. It displays a love of nature, highlight on the importance of solitude, and a distain for the industrial or man-made.
The imagery used throughout this sonnet feels as if it is overflowing with greenery. This is especially true when he is describing the shade from the heavenly son, ‘the alders have together wound their foliage’ (6-7) to create a bridge-like connection over the water. Wordsworth actually addresses his “Sole listener, Duddon” (line 1), indicating that the river is his inspiration and only care, it is written for nature.
The last 10 lines show his dislike for human creation. At the volta, line 10, he writes of the rude cottage with ruddy children. As if there should not be this destruction of nature. There is a criticism in mention of the careless way these people enjoy summer, but instead he wishes they had better understanding of the great power of nature.
There is certainly an aspect of solitude both with the author and the greatness of nature. On line 4 there is a direct reference of ‘unfruitful solitudes” that are unending. This is in perfect connection to the idea of the lone poet of the romantic era. Wordsworth even notes that nature is lonely , only laying on the service of humanity, and not being truly understood.
Though the enlightenment would have disregarded this poetry, it is a perfect representation of the opposite yet equality powerful Romantic era.

- Devon Abdo