The World Is Too Much With Us Analysis
The world is too much with us; late and soon,
Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—
Little we see in Nature that is ours;
We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon!
Explanation: In these opening lines of The World Is Too Much With Us, William Wordsworth critiques humanity’s preoccupation with materialism and the loss of connection with nature. The phrase “The world is too much with us” suggests that people are overly concerned with worldly matters—specifically, the pursuit of wealth and possessions. By focusing on “getting and spending,” humans waste their natural abilities and emotional capacities, devoting themselves to acquiring material goods rather than appreciating the spiritual and emotional richness offered by the natural world.
The phrase “Little we see in Nature that is ours” emphasizes how distant people have become from nature, unable to recognize or appreciate its beauty and significance. Wordsworth laments that humanity has “given our hearts away,” meaning that people have sacrificed their emotional and spiritual sensitivity for material gain, a “sordid boon.” This oxymoron suggests that while the acquisition of material wealth may seem beneficial, it is actually a tragic loss, as it comes at the cost of losing something far more valuable—our connection to nature and, by extension, our sense of peace and fulfillment.
Imagery: Descriptive language that appeals to the senses. Wordsworth uses imagery to evoke the natural world and our disconnection from it, such as “Little we see in Nature that is ours.”
Caesura: A pause in the middle of a line, often marked by punctuation. In “Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers;—”, the comma and the dash create a natural pause, emphasizing the contrast between actions and consequences.
Antithesis: The contrast between “getting and spending” highlights the cyclical and empty nature of materialism, where both acquisition and consumption lead to a waste of human potential. It reinforces the idea that these actions are ultimately meaningless compared to the richness of a connection with nature.
Personification: Attributing human characteristics to non-human entities. “The world is too much with us” personifies the world as something that can be overwhelmed by human presence and actions.
Oxymoron: The phrase “sordid boon” is an oxymoron. A “boon” typically means a blessing or benefit, but “sordid” means dirty or morally distasteful. Wordsworth uses this contradiction to highlight that what people perceive as beneficial—their material wealth and pursuits—is, in fact, corrupt and destructive to their spiritual lives.
Metaphor: “We lay waste our powers” is a metaphor indicating that humanity squanders its emotional, spiritual, and intellectual energy on material concerns, rather than using it to appreciate and connect with nature.
This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;
For this, for everything, we are out of tune;
Explanation: In these lines, William Wordsworth continues to express humanity’s disconnection from the natural world by describing nature’s beauty and power in vivid imagery. “This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon” depicts the sea as a nurturing, feminine force, exposing itself to the moon’s light in a serene and intimate way. The sea is personified as if it has a life and spirit of its own, inviting a relationship of reverence and awe.
The next line, “The winds that will be howling at all hours,” portrays the constant, untamed energy of nature. The winds, powerful and ever-present, seem to be alive with movement and sound, evoking a sense of wildness. Wordsworth contrasts this with “sleeping flowers,” a peaceful image that suggests the temporary calmness of nature, as if it is gathering strength before becoming active again.
Despite the grandeur and beauty of these natural forces, Wordsworth laments that “for this, for everything, we are out of tune.” Here, he stresses the disconnection between humanity and nature. While nature continues to exist in its powerful and majestic form, people are no longer in harmony with it. This discord causes a profound sense of loss, as humanity can no longer appreciate or feel attuned to the natural world’s beauty and significance.
Poetic Device
Personification: Nature is personified throughout these lines, particularly in the phrase “This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon.” The sea is given human qualities, as if it deliberately reveals itself to the moon in a tender, intimate way. This personification conveys nature’s powerful and nurturing qualities, which humanity ignores.
Imagery: Wordsworth creates vivid images through his descriptions of the sea and the wind. The image of the sea “baring her bosom to the moon” evokes a sense of vulnerability and intimacy, while the winds “howling at all hours” convey the wild and untamable forces of nature. The peaceful image of the winds “up-gathered now like sleeping flowers” creates a contrasting sense of calmness and serenity.
Simile: The comparison “like sleeping flowers” suggests that the winds, though often wild and powerful, can also be calm and delicate, mirroring the gentler aspects of nature. This simile emphasizes nature’s balance and beauty, even in its stillness.
Metaphor: “We are out of tune” is a metaphor for humanity’s disconnection from nature. It suggests that people have lost their harmony with the natural world, as if they are no longer able to hear or appreciate its inherent music or rhythm. This highlights the poet’s deep sense of loss and alienation in modern society.
Alliteration: The repetition of consonant sounds, such as in “bares her bosom,” creates a musical quality and enhances the flow of the poem.
It moves us not. Great God! I’d rather be
A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn;
So might I, standing on this pleasant lea,
Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn;
Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.
Explanation: In these lines, Wordsworth expresses his deep frustration and sorrow over humanity’s indifference to nature, saying, “It moves us not.” Despite the magnificence of the natural world—the sea, the winds, the flowers—people are no longer emotionally or spiritually affected by it. This indifference is a source of anguish for Wordsworth, who feels that the modern world has lost something essential.
In his exasperation, he exclaims, “Great God! I’d rather be / A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn.” Wordsworth would prefer to follow the ancient, “outworn” beliefs of paganism, which, despite being considered outdated in his time, fostered a deep reverence for nature and the natural world. Pagans worshipped nature and believed in deities associated with the sea, wind, and other natural elements. Wordsworth wishes he could return to such a belief system because it would allow him to see the world with a sense of wonder and spiritual connection that modern society has lost.
By imagining himself “standing on this pleasant lea” (a grassy meadow), Wordsworth expresses his longing for a deeper connection with nature, hoping for “glimpses that would make [him] less forlorn.” He feels that a return to an older, more spiritual view of the world would alleviate his sense of isolation and loss. By invoking the imagery of ancient mythological figures, he suggests that these glimpses of nature’s hidden powers would restore his sense of wonder and lessen his sorrow over humanity’s disconnection from nature.
He imagines having “sight of Proteus rising from the sea” and “hear[ing] old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.” Proteus, a shape-shifting sea god in Greek mythology, symbolizes nature’s ever-changing, mysterious forces. Triton, another sea deity, is often depicted blowing a horn made from a conch shell, summoning the power of the ocean. These mythological references highlight Wordsworth’s desire to witness the awe-inspiring mysteries of nature, which were revered in ancient times.
By evoking these mythical figures, Wordsworth contrasts the deep, spiritual connection to nature that ancient pagans experienced with the apathy of his own time. The poet yearns to recover this lost sense of reverence, believing that such experiences would soothe his sense of alienation and provide him with the spiritual nourishment that modern life lacks.
Poetic Device
Imagery: The phrase “standing on this pleasant lea” creates a vivid picture of a peaceful, natural setting, reinforcing the speaker’s desire to reconnect with nature. The vivid descriptions “Proteus rising from the sea” and “Triton blow his wreathèd horn” create strong visual and auditory images, enhancing the reader’s sensory experience and emphasizing the magical qualities of nature.
Allusion: Wordsworth references “Pagan” beliefs and mythological figures, which contrasts with contemporary religious views and highlights his longing for a time when people were more connected to nature. Wordsworth references mythological figures like Proteus and Triton. Proteus, a sea god known for his ability to change shape, and Triton, the messenger of the sea, evoke a sense of ancient, mystical connection to nature.
Metaphor: “Suckled in a creed outworn” uses the metaphor of being nurtured by outdated beliefs to express the speaker’s wish to return to simpler, more nature-centric values.
Personification: Triton is personified as “old,” giving him human characteristics and making the mythological figure more relatable and tangible.
Anaphora: In the lines “Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; / Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; / Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn,” the repetition of the word “have” at the beginning of the first two lines constitutes an example of anaphora. This poetic device involves the repetition of a word or phrase at the beginning of successive clauses or lines to create emphasis and rhythm.
The World Is Too Much With Us Summary
“The World Is Too Much With Us” by William Wordsworth was written in 1802 and first published in 1807 in Wordsworth’s collection titled Poems, in Two Volumes. This collection also includes some of his other notable works, such as “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” and “Ode: Intimations of Immortality.” The poem reflects Wordsworth’s response to the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the 19th century, highlighting his concern about the growing disconnect between humans and nature.
In The World Is Too Much With Us, William Wordsworth critiques the materialism and industrialization of his time, which, in his view, have alienated humanity from the natural world. He begins by observing how society is absorbed in “getting and spending,” focusing on economic gain rather than the spiritual and emotional wealth that comes from a deep connection with nature. Wordsworth laments that this obsession with material pursuits has led people to “lay waste” their powers, losing sight of what truly matters.
Wordsworth describes nature in vivid, powerful images, such as the sea that “bares her bosom to the moon” and winds that “will be howling at all hours.” These elements of nature are eternal and awe-inspiring, yet, he notes with sadness, they no longer move people. Humanity has become “out of tune” with nature, unable to appreciate its beauty and grandeur. This disconnect causes the poet deep frustration, as he feels that the natural world, which once offered solace and inspiration, is now ignored in favor of materialistic pursuits.
In his despair, Wordsworth expresses a wish to return to a time when people held a more spiritual connection with nature, even if that meant adopting a pagan belief system. He imagines that by being “suckled in a creed outworn,” he could once again see the world through a lens of wonder and reverence. He yearns for mythical visions of Proteus rising from the sea or hearing Triton’s horn, both ancient symbols of nature’s mystery and power.
The poem ultimately conveys a sense of longing and loss, as Wordsworth mourns humanity’s estrangement from the natural world. His plea is not just for a return to nature, but for a revival of a deeper, more meaningful relationship with the world around us—one that transcends the material and reconnects us with the spiritual and eternal aspects of life.
