There are things that stick out to me in the wordy definition of Wordsworth’s “Lyrical Ballads”. The first is, “But Poets do not write for Poets alone, but for men…the Poet must express himself as other men express themselves.” (191). This idea being that regardless of one’s education, the common person can read and reflect on the poet’s work. The second is, “it will be the wish of the Poet to bring his feeling near to those of the persons whose feelings he describes” (191). This is just a continuation of what was being said in the first quote. The third thing, “the Reader is utterly at the mercy of the Poet respecting what imagery or diction he may choose to connect with the passion” (192). And the final think is “Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility” (193). This just means that one should reflect on whatever is before them and try to break it down so that we can analyze it, and hopefully appreciate what we’ve experienced.
Now the comparison of Wordsworth and Coleridge’s poem “This Lime-Tree Bower my Prison” (329-330) and how this poem may or may not idealize Wordsworth’s ideas on poetry. The form in which Coleridge chooses seems to be more stream of conscious because the stanzas look more like paragraphs and perhaps what we me think of poem. As you read this poem there isn’t any language that stumps the reader.
In this poem there is a lot of reference to nature and reflection. For instance, “So my friend Struck with deep joy may stand, as I have stood, Silent with swimming sense” (lines 37-39). The words give the impression of reflecting, with nature being the portal to the emotions of the author’s thoughts. And again, “Henceforth I shall know That Nature ne’er deserts the wise and pure” (lines 59-60). Nature is a natural way for a person to step back from life and enjoy that natural beauty that is life.
I would have to say that Coleridge’s poem matches with what Wordsworth was trying to convey because he used simple language in which the reader could put himself in that moment and also reflect on what was being said and make a connection in that moment, maybe not exactly, but similar. The poem had this negative tone in the beginning, “Well, they are gone, and here must I remain, This lime-tree bower my prison!” (Lines 1-2). It doesn’t take much effort to imagine that this person is unhappy, but that changed, “Henceforth I shall know…Awake to Love and Beauty!” (Lines 59-64). This section goes to the opposite of one who has contemplated their situation and has come to terms by seeing the beauty in which nature has helped nurture this epiphany.
All-in-all Coleridge follows the advice of Wordsworth with keeping his reflections in a tranquil moment and expressing them in simple language.
Brit Lit 2020 