I wandered lonely as a cloud by William Wordsworth | Daffodils | I wandered lonely as a cloud | William Wordsworth | Explanation | Summary | Key Points | Word Meaning | Critical Appreciation | Questions Answers | Free PDF Download – Easy Literary Lessons
Daffodils
(William Wordsworth)
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,
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:
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,
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,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
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line-by-line explanation of the poem
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,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Explanation: In the opening stanza of “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” William Wordsworth introduces the reader to the solitary wandering of the speaker, who likens himself to a cloud floating high above valleys and hills. This imagery establishes a sense of detachment and introspection, as the speaker roams aimlessly through the landscape. The mood is abruptly uplifted when he encounters a “crowd” or “host” of golden daffodils. These flowers, located beside a lake and beneath the trees, are animated by the breeze, appearing to flutter and dance joyously. The sudden sight of this vibrant, lively scene transforms the speaker’s solitude into a moment of unexpected delight and connection with nature.
Simile: “I wandered lonely as a cloud”
The poet compares his solitary wandering to a cloud floating in the sky, using “as” to draw the comparison.
Personification: “Fluttering and dancing in the breeze”
The daffodils are given human characteristics of fluttering and dancing, making them appear lively and animated.
Imagery: “Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze”
Vivid descriptions create a visual image of the scene, appealing to the senses and enhancing the reader’s experience.
Alliteration: “Beside the lake, beneath the trees”
The repetition of the “b” sound in “Beside” and “beneath” adds a musical quality to the line.
Metaphor: “A host, of golden daffodils”
The daffodils are described as a “host,” suggesting a large and welcoming group, which gives a metaphorical sense of community and abundance.
Hyperbole: “A host, of golden daffodils”
The use of “host” suggests an exaggerated number of daffodils, emphasizing their overwhelming presence.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
Explanation: In the second stanza of “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” Wordsworth deepens the imagery of the daffodils by comparing them to the stars that shine and twinkle in the Milky Way. This comparison emphasizes the vast number and the seemingly endless nature of the flowers. The daffodils are described as stretching in a “never-ending line” along the edge of a bay, suggesting an infinite and boundless display of beauty. The poet marvels at the sight, claiming to see “ten thousand” daffodils at once, all moving in a lively, spirited dance. This depiction not only highlights the sheer abundance of the flowers but also their joyful and animated presence, further enchanting the poet and drawing him into their exuberant display.
Poetic Device:
Simile: “Continuous as the stars that shine / And twinkle on the milky way”
The daffodils are compared to stars in the Milky Way, suggesting their vast number and beauty.
Hyperbole: “Ten thousand saw I at a glance”
The poet exaggerates the number of daffodils to emphasize their overwhelming abundance and the impact of the scene.
Personification: “Tossing their heads in sprightly dance”
The daffodils are given human characteristics, as if they are cheerfully dancing.
Imagery: “They stretched in never-ending line / Along the margin of a bay”
Vivid descriptions create a visual image of the daffodils stretching endlessly along the bay, enhancing the reader’s sensory experience.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Out-did the sparkling waves in glee:
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:
Explanation: In the third stanza, Wordsworth describes how the daffodils, dancing in the breeze, outshine even the waves beside them in their gaiety. The natural scene is filled with such cheerfulness that it is impossible for a poet to remain unaffected. The poet is surrounded by the “jocund company” of the daffodils, their lively dance bringing a sense of joy and contentment. He gazes at the scene, repeatedly taking it in, without fully realizing at the moment the profound impact it will have on him. The “wealth” that the sight of the daffodils brings refers to the lasting emotional and spiritual enrichment he gains, although he only understands its true value later. This stanza captures the immediate, yet initially unrecognized, joy that nature’s beauty can bestow upon an observer.
Poetic Device:
Personification: “The waves beside them danced; but they / Out-did the sparkling waves in glee”
Both the waves and the daffodils are given human characteristics of dancing and expressing joy, enhancing the lively atmosphere of the scene.
Repetition: “I gazed—and gazed”
The repetition of “gazed” emphasizes the poet’s prolonged admiration and the mesmerizing effect of the scene.
Imagery: “In such a jocund company”
The word “jocund” creates a vivid image of the cheerful and merry company of the daffodils, enhancing the emotional tone of the stanza.
For oft, 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.
Explanation: In the final stanza of “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud,” Wordsworth reflects on the enduring impact of his encounter with the daffodils. He describes how, during moments of idleness or deep thought while lying on his couch, the memory of the daffodils reappears in his mind’s eye. This “inward eye” represents his imagination and capacity for recollection, which allows him to vividly recall the scene. The memory of the daffodils becomes a source of solace and joy, providing what Wordsworth calls “the bliss of solitude.” Even in his solitude, the poet’s heart fills with pleasure, and he feels as if he is dancing with the daffodils once more. This stanza underscores the theme of nature’s enduring and uplifting influence on the human spirit, highlighting how a single moment of beauty can provide lasting emotional sustenance.
Poetic Device:
Alliteration: “For oft, when on my couch I lie”
The repetition of the “o” sound in “oft” and “on” creates a pleasing rhythm.
Imagery: “They flash upon that inward eye”
This line creates a vivid mental picture of the daffodils appearing in the poet’s mind.
Metaphor: “That inward eye / Which is the bliss of solitude”
The “inward eye” metaphorically represents the poet’s memory and imagination, providing joy during solitary moments.
Personification: “And dances with the daffodils”
The poet’s heart is personified as dancing with the daffodils, conveying a deep emotional connection.
Anaphora: “And then my heart with pleasure fills, / And dances with the daffodils”
The repetition of “and” emphasizes the culmination of the poet’s joy and connection to the daffodils.
