“I WANDERED LONELY AS A CLOUD“
Written at Town-end, Grasmere. The Daffodils grew and still grow on the
margin of Ullswater and probably may be seen to this day as beautiful in the
month of March, nodding their golden heads beside the dancing and foaming
waves. – William Wordsworth, 1804
I WANDERED lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees, 5
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay: 10
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay, 15
In such a jocund company:
I gazed - and gazed - but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood, 20
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
- William Wordsworth, 1804
William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered as Lonely as a Cloud” opens with the
narrator describing his action of walking in a state of worldly detachment; his
wandering “As lonely as a cloud / That floats on high o'er vales and hills,” (1-2).
What he is thinking of we never really uncover, but his description leaves us to
analyze his words as a sort of “head in the clouds” daydream-like state where his
thoughts are far away, unconcerned with the immediate circumstances in which he
finds himself. Wordsworth, ever the Romanticist, perhaps uses these two
introductory lines to describe the disconnected and dispassionate ways that we all
live our lives; walking through life in a haze of daily ritual and monotonous
distractions in a pointless and spiritually disinterested state where we fail as
emotional creatures to appreciate the quiet beauties of life that we as human beings
need for spiritual sustenance. William Wordsworth’s “lonely cloud” is our own
private impersonal perception of the world, floating miles above it and missing the
quiet virtues of nature, beauty, and other sources of emotional nourishment.
As William Wordsworth’s narrator is walking, he notices “A host, of golden
daffodils;... Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.” (4 and 6). Wordsworth goes on
to describe these “golden daffodils” as a vast plot of swaying flowers around the
fringes of a bay, outdoing the beauty of the ocean’s waves with their own golden
oscillation. Describing the daffodils for the next several lines, Wordsworth helps
us to visualize what he himself has seen and was so moved by; “Tossing their
heads in sprightly dance. / The waves beside them danced; but they / Out-did the
sparkling waves in glee” (12-14). These light-hearted daffodils, weaving in unison
with each other in the wind, have romantically touched Wordsworth, their natural
beauty reaching him in ways that he describes as not fully understanding until
later: “A poet could not but be gay, / In such a jocund company: / I gazed - and
gazed - but little thought / What wealth the show to me had brought:” (15-18).
It is here that your humble writer can not help but remember one of William
Wordsworth’s earlier poems that he had written six years earlier. William
Wordsworth’s “Lines Written in Early Spring” (1798) serves the reader in much
the same way as Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”, in that his
narrator draws inspiration from nature’s beauty to experience a deep and
meaningful emotion within himself as a philosopher and a poet. The great
difference, however, between Wordsworth’s “Lines Written in Early Spring” and
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” is that in “Lines Written in Early Spring” natures
beauty induces in Wordsworth a deep and powerful mourning for how mankind
has perverted his own nature in his then modern society, whereas “Lines Written in
Early Spring” invigorates Wordsworth’s narrator with the mental imagery of the
daffodils.
Most importantly, in both poems Wordsworth describes his narrator as having a
moment of quiet introspection. In much the same way that most readers can
relate, Wordsworth’s narrator in “Lines Written in Early Spring”, upon having a
few moments to think to himself, lapses into a depressed state from his own quiet
thoughts: “While in a grove I sate reclined, / In that sweet mood when pleasant
thoughts / Bring sad thoughts to the mind.” (William Wordsworth’s “Lines Written
in Early Spring”, 1798, lines 2-4.). In Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a
Cloud” his narrator reciprocally, upon relaxing on a couch in quiet contemplation,
is elated and pleasantly entertained by the thoughts of the daffodils dancing in his
memory: “when on my couch I lie / 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.” (19-24). Wordsworth’s narrator in
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” is not grieved by “What man has made of man”
(William Wordsworth’s “Lines Written in Early Spring”, 1798, line 8.) but
contented and near-tickled by his reminiscence of the golden, light-hearted beauty
of the daffodils.
A message can be so drawn from this contrast, whether William Wordsworth
intended it or not, in a Post-Modern dissection and personal interpretation of a
theme that holds as much true to the cannon of Romanticism as to Wordsworth’s
own personal philosophy. Perhaps the popular title for Wordsworth’s “I Wandered
Lonely as a Cloud”, “Daffodils”, finds, in itself, the virtue of the poem and its
interpretive meaning. The daffodils are, as well as what Wordsworth would have
intended, natural beauty; the tranquil occurrences of lucky happenstance that we
experience and carry with us in our proverbial hearts as cherished moments and
treasured memories. Likely, many readers skimmed Wordsworth’s description of
the daffodils and quickly spurned it as a “Romantic blubber” of sorts. Needless to
say, however, Wordsworth believes, as does your humble writer, that any human
being possessing a soul and beating heart would find themselves deeply touched
by the scene of a thousand-fold host of yellow daffodils swaying in the breeze
against the backdrop of waves breaking against the rocks of a bay. This mental
image, otherwise missed by those caught up in their daily bustle and contemporary
distractions, their “wandering lonely as clouds” so to speak, is what we draw from
nature and experience when we cease our self-destructive pace. If we slow down,
just enough, we may catch by the wayside of our wanderings a spiritual creature
that could serve us as a pleasant mental image or perhaps even as a meaning or
purpose in life.
In William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”, the daffodils
become much more than mere flowers. They are a symbol of natural beauty and,
more importantly, symbolize living a life as rich in experience and sensation as
would make a life worth living. They represent, in their light-hearted dance, the
joy and happiness of living an adoring and fulfilling life, embracing it for every
drop of nectar it could so bring. Romanticism, a poetic philosophy that
Wordsworth himself engendered, finds much virtue in this meaning; the daffodils
reaching out and catching the eye of Wordsworth’s narrator, or perhaps
Wordsworth himself, and inspiring him so much emotionally, that he was left with
little choice than to express them poetically. Wordsworth’s narrator of “Lines
Written in Early Spring” struggles with his own innate human predisposition
towards melancholy in a world where contemporary human society and
civilization has destroyed our connection to nature, and incidentally our own
nature as well, but Wordsworth’s narrator in “Daffodils” has taken from the
moment the sweet nourishment of spiritual manna that was necessary to keep a
quiet instance of introspection from turning to depression and, instead, becoming
an exuberant reverie of a setting in memory; “They flash upon that inward eye /
Which is the bliss of solitude; / And then my heart with pleasure fills, / And dances
with the daffodils.” (21-24).
William Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” or “Daffodils” is a
deep and moving work of poetry that under a deceivingly simple exterior could
possibly be, under energetic dissection, argued as one of Wordsworth’s greatest
works of Romanticism. By staying true to Romanticism’s philosophy of
embracing not only nature but the careful expression of the poet’s emotions
through art and how nature can so deeply affect it, Wordsworth, in four simple
stanzas if imagery, could, perhaps, not better described in verse the Romantic
ideology. The popular title for Wordsworth’s “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud”,
“Daffodils”, has in a single word summed an entire literary philosophy.
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Friday, July 3, 2009
Use of Future I (going to)
Future I with ‚going to‘ is used for conclusions or decisions made for the future that have derived from analysing a present situation.
Examples:
Our costs were too high last year. This year, we are going to reduce our costs.
We are going to recruit more staff.
Signal Words of Future I (going to)
in one year, next week, tomorrow
Use of Future I
Future I with ‚will‘ is used for spontaneous decisions and assumptions with regard to the future.
- Spontaneous decisions
Decision made from one moment to the next.
Example:Wait, I will help you.
I will get myself a cup of coffee. - Assumptions with regard to the future
Say what might happen in the future.
Example:They will probably deliver the goods tomorrow.
Things will hopefully be better next year. - Conditional Sentences Type I
Action that will happen in the future if a certain situation is given.
Example:If you do not do this, we will take legal steps.
If we receive your order before noon and if we have it in stock, we will ship it the same day.
Signal Words of Future I
in a year, next …, tomorrow, If Clause Type I (If you ask her, she will help you.), assumption: I think, probably, we might …, perhaps
Use of Past Perfect
Past Perfect Simple is used for actions taking place before a certain time in the past.
Examples:
I had typed five pages when my computer suddenly crashed.
Before 2002, I had not worked abroad.
Signal Words of Past Perfect
already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day, If Clause Type III (If I had talked, …)
Use of Present Perfect Progressive
Present Perfect Simple is used for actions that started in the past and stopped recently or are still going on. The focus is on the course or duration of the action (not on the result).
- Action that is still going on
Action that started in the past and is still going on. We want to emphasize how long the action has already been going on..
Examples:We have been successfully working in this field since 1990.
I have been working in this company for over five years now. - Action that stopped recently and has an influence on the present
Action that has been going on for a certain period of time and is the reason for a present situation.
Examples:I am so tired – I have been working all night.
I have been trying to change the toner cartridge – now my fingers are dirty.
Signalwörter des Present Perfect Progressive
all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week
→ Detailed Explanation and Exercises on Present Perfect Progressive
Use of Present Perfect Simple
Present Perfect Simple is used for actions that started in the past and stopped recently or are still going on. The focus is on the result.
- Action that is still going on
Situation that is still the same as it was in the past. We want to emphasise that the situation has not changed.
Examples:Your advice has always been extremely helpful.
We have not yet received a remittance for the goods supplied to you. - Action that stopped recently
Action that has just been completed. We want to emphasise the result.
Examples:I have typed five letters.
I have just received your mail. - Action in the past that has an influence on the present
Action that was completed in the past, but has an influence on a present situation. Note that you must not give a certain time for the action in the past (if you want to use a time expression, you must use Simple Past).
Examples:I have lost Misses Wilde’s phone number.
We have agreed on the following points: - Action that so far has taken place never, once or several times
Action that happened / did not happen in the past. We want to emphasise how often the action has taken place so far.
Examples:I have never been to our New York subsidiary.
Misses Newton has already phoned three times to inquire about the delivery of her goods.
Signal Words of Present Perfect Simple
already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now
Use of Past Progressive
Past Progressive is used for actions in the past and focusses on the course or duration of the action.
- Action taking place at a certain moment in the past
Being in the middle of doing something at a certain time in the past.
Examples:At two o’clock, Carla was preparing the contract.
Yesterday I was looking for Mister Miller’s phone number. - Actions happening simultaneously
Actions in the past happening at the same time (over a longer period of time).
Examples:While Claire was preparing her presentation, Tom was showing the customer around.
While Sarah was looking for the documents, I was keeping the customer on the line. - Being in the middle of an action, when another action set in
Action taking place over a longer period of time in the past when (suddenly) another (shorter) action set in. (see also: Simple Past)
Beispiele:I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
When I came in, John was playing solitaire.
Signal Words of Past Progressive
when, while, as long as
Use of Simple Past
Simple Past is used for actions and situations in the past.
- Facts and situations in the past
Expresses a fact or given situation in the past.
Beispiele:Our secretary worked very hard.
I did not agree with you. - Actions in the past
Actions in the past that took place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)
Examples:Mister Brown never attended any meeting. He always sent me.
- Actions taking place one after another
Actions in the past that took place one after the other.
Examples:Mister Sanders came into the office, checked his mailbox and went straight to the briefing.
What a horrible day: first my computer crashed, then our best customer cancelled their order and on my way home my car broke down. - Actions taking place in the middle of another action
(Sudden) action that took place in the middle of another action. (see also: Past Progressive)
Examples:I was sitting in a meeting, when my mobile suddenly rang.
When I came in, John was playing solitaire.
Signal Words of Simple Past
yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday, If Clause Type II (If I talked, …)
Use of Present Progressive
Present Progressive is used for actions in the present and focusses on the course or duration of the action.
- Action taking place now
Being in the middle of doing something at the time of speaking.
Examples:Carla is preparing the briefing.
I am looking for Mister Miller’s phone number. - Action taking place for a limited period of time only.
Actions that don't take place regularly, but only temporarily.
Examples:Mister Thomson is on sick leave, that's why I am doing his job.
Three temporary employees are helping out this month. - Arranged future actions
Future actions that are already arranged (and maybe even jot down in a diary)
Beispiele:I am meeting Misses Walker at 5 pm.
Bob is doing overtime tomorrow.
Signal Words of Present Progressive
at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now
Use of Simple Present
Simple Present is used for actions and situations in the present.
- Facts and situations in the present
Expresses a fact or given situation.
Examples:Our secretary works very hard.
I do not agree with you. - Actions in the present
Actions that take place never, once, several times or regualary. (see also: signal words)
Beispiele:Mister Brown never attends a meeting. He always sends me.
- Actions set by a timetable or schedule
Actions in the future that we cannot influence, as their course is set by a timetable or schedule.
Examples:The train leaves at 6:24.
The conference starts at 9:30.
Signal Words of Simple Present
always, every …, never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually If Clause Type I (If I talk, …)
Table of English Tenses
| tense | Affirmative/Negative/Question | Use | Signal Words |
|---|---|---|---|
| Simple Present | A: He speaks. N: He does not speak. Q: Does he speak? |
| always, every …, never, normally, often, seldom, sometimes, usually if sentences type I (If I talk, …) |
| Present Progressive | A: He is speaking. N: He is not speaking. Q: Is he speaking? |
| at the moment, just, just now, Listen!, Look!, now, right now |
| Simple Past | A: He spoke. N: He did not speak. Q: Did he speak? |
| yesterday, 2 minutes ago, in 1990, the other day, last Friday if sentence type II (If I talked, …) |
| Past Progressive | A: He was speaking. N: He was not speaking. Q: Was he speaking? |
| when, while, as long as |
| Present Perfect Simple | A: He has spoken. N: He has not spoken. Q: Has he spoken? |
| already, ever, just, never, not yet, so far, till now, up to now |
| Present Perfect Progressive | A: He has been speaking. N: He has not been speaking. Q: Has he been speaking? |
| all day, for 4 years, since 1993, how long?, the whole week |
| Past Perfect Simple | A: He had spoken. N: He had not spoken. Q: Had he spoken? |
| already, just, never, not yet, once, until that day if sentence type III (If I had talked, …) |
| Past Perfect Progressive | A: He had been speaking. N: He had not been speaking. Q: Had he been speaking? |
| for, since, the whole day, all day |
| Future I Simple | A: He will speak. N: He will not speak. Q: Will he speak? |
| in a year, next …, tomorrow If-Satz Typ I (If you ask her, she will help you.) assumption: I think, probably, we might …, perhaps |
| Future I Simple (going to) | A: He is going to speak. N: He is not going to speak. Q: Is he going to speak? |
| in one year, next week, tomorrow |
| Future I Progressive | A: He will be speaking. N: He will not be speaking. Q: Will he be speaking? |
| in one year, next week, tomorrow |
| Future II Simple | A: He will have spoken. N: He will not have spoken. Q: Will he have spoken? |
| by Monday, in a week |
| Future II Progressive | A: He will have been speaking. N: He will not have been speaking. Q: Will he have been speaking? |
| for …, the last couple of hours, all day long |
| Conditional I Simple | A: He would speak. N: He would not speak. Q: Would he speak? |
| if sentences type II (If I were you, I would go home.) |
| Conditional I Progressive | A: He would be speaking. N: He would not be speaking. Q: Would he be speaking? |
| |
| Conditional II Simple | A: He would have spoken. N: He would not have spoken. Q: Would he have spoken? |
| if sentences type III (If I had seen that, I would have helped.) |
| Conditional II Progressive | A: He would have been speaking. N: He would not have been speaking. Q: Would he have been speaking? |
|
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