Wordsworth

Intro:
William Wordsworth’s poetry and David Malouf’s prose fiction An Imaginary Life both explore the common theme of ‘In The Wild’; the integral connection between nature and humanity. The term ‘In The Wild’ in relation to Wordsworth and David Malouf’s An Imaginary Life is defined as “Living in a state of nature, untamed, without conditioning”.   With nature as the focus both composers bring together ideas creating parallels as well as differences using their own context and inspiration. The use of language techniques specific to their own text types draws correlation for both writers despite contextual differences- Wordsworth writing in the ‘Romantic Age’ of English Poetry and Malouf’s perspective being post- colonial. Yet this context does not mask the underlying theme of both texts, that it is human to strive to be in unison with nature, that from it identity and isolation is gained.

Theme 1
Identity a theme, which is told through the style and context of both writers in using different language techniques to delve deeper with the reader illustrating their perspective of the time in which they are writing. Identity; the quality or condition of being a specified person or thing, consequently finding ones self in a particular environment.

Wordsworth
William Wordsworth portrays humanity as having a spiritual connection nature, through the exploration of the theme identity. This is demonstrated through the language technique of religious imagery, describing the evening to be a   “Holy time… quiet as a nun.” This simile reinforces how Wordsworth feels about the sacredness of nature. This style being familiar to Wordsworth with his largely Christian context, which shows his intended meaning to the reader. The landscape is further described in using a sonnet ‘It is a beauteous evening, calm and free.” This is also the title of the poem, which is intentionally written as a sestet, giving his writing flow and rhythm. Although a change is brought when he employs...