CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Nature is not the ultimate reality, but it has a valuable role
to play in the life of man. It is a real and not a deceptive
structure of forms and forces, it displays sublime order
and beauty in both action and being. (Wordsworth)
In a society where materialism rules, human beings are bound to
explore every means in order to attain these material elements and in
doing so, they devote their time and resources thereby having little or
no time to appreciate nature. Thus, for man to appreciate nature again,
the use of literature becomes very important as literature is seen as a
weapon of change. During the Romantic era therefore, writers like
William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, William Blake,
Perry .B. Shelly and other romanticists used their works to clamor for a
change in the society. The society they lived in was full of chaos as a
result of the emergence of science and technology which gave birth to
the invention of machines of all kinds. These inventions 'ate up' the
society as they were filled with the glamour of this new technological
breakthrough. Therefore there was little or no time for the indepth
appreciation of the natural and the supernatural.
Religion to the people at the time of these inventions, was a
disturbance and so they wanted little or nothing to do with it.
Therefore, the appreciation of the supernatural was like a burden rather
than a necessity just as the use of natural elements became a waste of
time to them. Even though these natural elements help more in their
lives than the machines that were used for the manufacturing of their
products. These problems, and more were what the writers of this period
viewed and were able to forsee that the future of Europe was not safe;
therefore, in a bid to try and draw man back to nature, they decided to
use their writings to preach the essence of nature and to negate the
corrupt practices prevalent at that time. The Romantic era which lasted
from 1780-1870, was preceded by the Neo-Classical Period. Bygrave (1996,
pVII) describes Romanticism
as a European movement which came to affect all the arts
in the first half of the nineteenth century. It is a very
generalized way of claiming coherence for a vast range
of culture practices…(Bygrave,1996, pVII)
The Romanticists believed in innovation and this is why
they deviated from the norms of writing. They believed in change and not
stagnancy because they believed that the only constant thing in life is
change which can only be caused by the individual. They believed that
change starts when the individual sees the chaos in the society, and
tries to change it by all means. Romanticists negated the
neo-classicists as the latter adhered strictly to their rules and
regulations in writing. On this Bodunde states that:
Romanticism came as a direct negation of Neo-classicism.
While the Neo-classical poets emphasized adherence to a
fixed format of artistic composition (artificial rules of poetry like,
rhythm, rhymes, etc.) the Romanticists favoured a spontaneous
and unforced creative strategy of production. (Bodunde, 2007, p235)
This deviation from the norms of writing brought about
impeccable changes through the use of the theme of nature, the
supernatural, and the vivid imageries discussed in the works of
Romanticists. The focus on the natural and the supernatural is to
emphasize on the beauty of life in which the Romanticists find themslves
as imaginistic and visionary. The writings of the Romanticists was
filled with spontaneous flow of emotions which are expressed in solitude
as their writings center on the events they experienced in their
lifetime right from their childhood to adulthood. Hopes for a better
future was therefore expressed using imageries intensified by paying
great attention to describing moments in their lives.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The objective of this study are to examine the thematic
focus of selected Romantic poems and evaluate the various images which
are employed to develop the subject matter. In doing this, one needs to
establish the nature of the Romantic aesthetic tradition.
The Romanticists believe in using the external to change the
internal workings of man; these external elements are seen in natural
landscape which is made of beauty and beauty is seen as good, pure and
peaceful. However, due to the emergence of science and technology, man
got seperated from the use of natural elements and so, did not
appreciate nature enough to see that nature is the only tool with which
man can exist peacefully. In addition to the presentation of nature and
its spiritual composition as the only way for peaceful co-existence,
this research work will emphasize on the unfeeling nature of man towards
natural elements and how insignificant they place nature despite the
importance which these writers attach to nature.
Furthermore, the wide gap in social class which was caused by
science and technology will be analysed (though not over-emphasized) as
not only did the invention of machines cause man to deviate from nature,
it also made the society segregated in terms of class. This is perhaps
the early beginnings of what is now known as Marxism which the Modern
period writers now adopts in their writings.
Finally, the aim and objective of this research is to make
intended researchers appreciate the Romantic age and see it as, perhaps,
an age of enlightenment which can be referred to as the soul and
beginning of literary writings.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY
For so many years, so many writers at one point or the
other have examined Romantic works in various ways, that is, the form,
themes, techniques, and the use of imagery in Romanticism. This research
shall however, be limited to the extensive appraisal of the themes and
imagery used by Romantic writers.
Hence, "Themes and Imagery in Selected Romantic Poems" and the
data which will be used for analyzing these two concepts are William
Wordsworth's "The World is too Much with Us", "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" and William Blake’s "London" and "The Garden of Love".
JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY
The reason for embarking on this research work is to justify the
thematic compositions and use of imagery by Romantic writers. These
themes include nature, lure of the exotic and the supernatural. The
images are conveyed through the use of literary elements such as
metaphors, onomatopoeia, personification, similes, etc., to let the
readers into a world of physical imagination which is what the
Romanticists makes their works look like.
Also, is to justify the use of natural landscape to preach beauty, purity and goodness in nature.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Romanticism as a very broad topic of study under poetry
could be very strenuous in its generality; hence, the approach of this
study confines the themes and imagery in selected Romantic poems. Though
relevant references could be drawn from other Romantic poems, the data
analysis would centre on William Blake’s ‘London’ and ‘The Garden of Love’ as well as William Wordsworth’s ‘The World is Too Much With Us’ and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud".
An analytical method will be used in this research. Texts will
be analyzed using the image-making, sound-making, and meaning making
model which requires detailed explication of texts in terms of sound
resources, diction and figurative components and the pattern of meanings
generated.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In every research, problems arises and these problems
poses a lot of questions to the researcher whose sole purpose is to make
sure that the problems posed are solved to the best of his/ her
findings. This research therefore, will endeavor to answer different
questions bordering on the Romantic period for clarification of what the
period is really all about. These questions include: What is
Romanticism? What are the themes of the Romantic period? How are
imageries conveyed by Romanticists? Who are the major writers of the
Romantic period?
In an attempt to give appropriate answers to these questions,
the researcher will carry out thorough investigations on the Romantic
period thereby making references to the works of other researchers and
scholars who have worked on the Romantic age. Also few works of William
Wordsworth and William Blake will be used in solving these questions so
as to get information on the themes of the Romantic period and how best
the Romantic writers use imageries to convey emotions.
REFERENCES
Abrams, M. H. (1972). Wordsworth. USA: Prentice Hall Inc.
Bygrave, S. (Ed.). (1996). Approaching Literature, Romantic Writings. (P VII) USA & Canada: Routledge.
Bodunde(2007) "Poetry as a popular medium, poetic traditions across periods and regions”. Obafemi, O., Ajadi, G. A., Alabi, V.A. (Ed.). Critical Perspectives on English Language and Literature. (P 235). The Department of English: University of Ilorin.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Nature is not the ultimate reality, but it has a valuable role
to play in the life of man. It is a real and not a deceptive
structure of forms and forces, it displays sublime order
and beauty in both action and being. (Wordsworth)
In a society where materialism rules, human beings are bound to
explore every means in order to attain these material elements and in
doing so, they devote their time and resources thereby having little or
no time to appreciate nature. Thus, for man to appreciate nature again,
the use of literature becomes very important as literature is seen as a
weapon of change. During the Romantic era therefore, writers like
William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, William Blake,
Perry .B. Shelly and other romanticists used their works to clamor for a
change in the society. The society they lived in was full of chaos as a
result of the emergence of science and technology which gave birth to
the invention of machines of all kinds. These inventions 'ate up' the
society as they were filled with the glamour of this new technological
breakthrough. Therefore there was little or no time for the indepth
appreciation of the natural and the supernatural.
Religion to the people at the time of these inventions, was a
disturbance and so they wanted little or nothing to do with it.
Therefore, the appreciation of the supernatural was like a burden rather
than a necessity just as the use of natural elements became a waste of
time to them. Even though these natural elements help more in their
lives than the machines that were used for the manufacturing of their
products. These problems, and more were what the writers of this period
viewed and were able to forsee that the future of Europe was not safe;
therefore, in a bid to try and draw man back to nature, they decided to
use their writings to preach the essence of nature and to negate the
corrupt practices prevalent at that time. The Romantic era which lasted
from 1780-1870, was preceded by the Neo-Classical Period. Bygrave (1996,
pVII) describes Romanticism
as a European movement which came to affect all the arts
in the first half of the nineteenth century. It is a very
generalized way of claiming coherence for a vast range
of culture practices…(Bygrave,1996, pVII)
The Romanticists believed in innovation and this is why
they deviated from the norms of writing. They believed in change and not
stagnancy because they believed that the only constant thing in life is
change which can only be caused by the individual. They believed that
change starts when the individual sees the chaos in the society, and
tries to change it by all means. Romanticists negated the
neo-classicists as the latter adhered strictly to their rules and
regulations in writing. On this Bodunde states that:
Romanticism came as a direct negation of Neo-classicism.
While the Neo-classical poets emphasized adherence to a
fixed format of artistic composition (artificial rules of poetry like,
rhythm, rhymes, etc.) the Romanticists favoured a spontaneous
and unforced creative strategy of production. (Bodunde, 2007, p235)
This deviation from the norms of writing brought about
impeccable changes through the use of the theme of nature, the
supernatural, and the vivid imageries discussed in the works of
Romanticists. The focus on the natural and the supernatural is to
emphasize on the beauty of life in which the Romanticists find themslves
as imaginistic and visionary. The writings of the Romanticists was
filled with spontaneous flow of emotions which are expressed in solitude
as their writings center on the events they experienced in their
lifetime right from their childhood to adulthood. Hopes for a better
future was therefore expressed using imageries intensified by paying
great attention to describing moments in their lives.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The objective of this study are to examine the thematic
focus of selected Romantic poems and evaluate the various images which
are employed to develop the subject matter. In doing this, one needs to
establish the nature of the Romantic aesthetic tradition.
The Romanticists believe in using the external to change the
internal workings of man; these external elements are seen in natural
landscape which is made of beauty and beauty is seen as good, pure and
peaceful. However, due to the emergence of science and technology, man
got seperated from the use of natural elements and so, did not
appreciate nature enough to see that nature is the only tool with which
man can exist peacefully. In addition to the presentation of nature and
its spiritual composition as the only way for peaceful co-existence,
this research work will emphasize on the unfeeling nature of man towards
natural elements and how insignificant they place nature despite the
importance which these writers attach to nature.
Furthermore, the wide gap in social class which was caused by
science and technology will be analysed (though not over-emphasized) as
not only did the invention of machines cause man to deviate from nature,
it also made the society segregated in terms of class. This is perhaps
the early beginnings of what is now known as Marxism which the Modern
period writers now adopts in their writings.
Finally, the aim and objective of this research is to make
intended researchers appreciate the Romantic age and see it as, perhaps,
an age of enlightenment which can be referred to as the soul and
beginning of literary writings.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY
For so many years, so many writers at one point or the
other have examined Romantic works in various ways, that is, the form,
themes, techniques, and the use of imagery in Romanticism. This research
shall however, be limited to the extensive appraisal of the themes and
imagery used by Romantic writers.
Hence, "Themes and Imagery in Selected Romantic Poems" and the
data which will be used for analyzing these two concepts are William
Wordsworth's "The World is too Much with Us", "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" and William Blake’s "London" and "The Garden of Love".
JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY
The reason for embarking on this research work is to justify the
thematic compositions and use of imagery by Romantic writers. These
themes include nature, lure of the exotic and the supernatural. The
images are conveyed through the use of literary elements such as
metaphors, onomatopoeia, personification, similes, etc., to let the
readers into a world of physical imagination which is what the
Romanticists makes their works look like.
Also, is to justify the use of natural landscape to preach beauty, purity and goodness in nature.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Romanticism as a very broad topic of study under poetry
could be very strenuous in its generality; hence, the approach of this
study confines the themes and imagery in selected Romantic poems. Though
relevant references could be drawn from other Romantic poems, the data
analysis would centre on William Blake’s ‘London’ and ‘The Garden of Love’ as well as William Wordsworth’s ‘The World is Too Much With Us’ and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud".
An analytical method will be used in this research. Texts will
be analyzed using the image-making, sound-making, and meaning making
model which requires detailed explication of texts in terms of sound
resources, diction and figurative components and the pattern of meanings
generated.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In every research, problems arises and these problems
poses a lot of questions to the researcher whose sole purpose is to make
sure that the problems posed are solved to the best of his/ her
findings. This research therefore, will endeavor to answer different
questions bordering on the Romantic period for clarification of what the
period is really all about. These questions include: What is
Romanticism? What are the themes of the Romantic period? How are
imageries conveyed by Romanticists? Who are the major writers of the
Romantic period?
In an attempt to give appropriate answers to these questions,
the researcher will carry out thorough investigations on the Romantic
period thereby making references to the works of other researchers and
scholars who have worked on the Romantic age. Also few works of William
Wordsworth and William Blake will be used in solving these questions so
as to get information on the themes of the Romantic period and how best
the Romantic writers use imageries to convey emotions.
REFERENCES
Abrams, M. H. (1972). Wordsworth. USA: Prentice Hall Inc.
Bygrave, S. (Ed.). (1996). Approaching Literature, Romantic Writings. (P VII) USA & Canada: Routledge.
Bodunde(2007) "Poetry as a popular medium, poetic traditions across periods and regions”. Obafemi, O., Ajadi, G. A., Alabi, V.A. (Ed.). Critical Perspectives on English Language and Literature. (P 235). The Department of English: University of Ilorin.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Nature is not the ultimate reality, but it has a valuable role
to play in the life of man. It is a real and not a deceptive
structure of forms and forces, it displays sublime order
and beauty in both action and being. (Wordsworth)
In a society where materialism rules, human beings are bound to
explore every means in order to attain these material elements and in
doing so, they devote their time and resources thereby having little or
no time to appreciate nature. Thus, for man to appreciate nature again,
the use of literature becomes very important as literature is seen as a
weapon of change. During the Romantic era therefore, writers like
William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, William Blake,
Perry .B. Shelly and other romanticists used their works to clamor for a
change in the society. The society they lived in was full of chaos as a
result of the emergence of science and technology which gave birth to
the invention of machines of all kinds. These inventions 'ate up' the
society as they were filled with the glamour of this new technological
breakthrough. Therefore there was little or no time for the indepth
appreciation of the natural and the supernatural.
Religion to the people at the time of these inventions, was a
disturbance and so they wanted little or nothing to do with it.
Therefore, the appreciation of the supernatural was like a burden rather
than a necessity just as the use of natural elements became a waste of
time to them. Even though these natural elements help more in their
lives than the machines that were used for the manufacturing of their
products. These problems, and more were what the writers of this period
viewed and were able to forsee that the future of Europe was not safe;
therefore, in a bid to try and draw man back to nature, they decided to
use their writings to preach the essence of nature and to negate the
corrupt practices prevalent at that time. The Romantic era which lasted
from 1780-1870, was preceded by the Neo-Classical Period. Bygrave (1996,
pVII) describes Romanticism
as a European movement which came to affect all the arts
in the first half of the nineteenth century. It is a very
generalized way of claiming coherence for a vast range
of culture practices…(Bygrave,1996, pVII)
The Romanticists believed in innovation and this is why
they deviated from the norms of writing. They believed in change and not
stagnancy because they believed that the only constant thing in life is
change which can only be caused by the individual. They believed that
change starts when the individual sees the chaos in the society, and
tries to change it by all means. Romanticists negated the
neo-classicists as the latter adhered strictly to their rules and
regulations in writing. On this Bodunde states that:
Romanticism came as a direct negation of Neo-classicism.
While the Neo-classical poets emphasized adherence to a
fixed format of artistic composition (artificial rules of poetry like,
rhythm, rhymes, etc.) the Romanticists favoured a spontaneous
and unforced creative strategy of production. (Bodunde, 2007, p235)
This deviation from the norms of writing brought about
impeccable changes through the use of the theme of nature, the
supernatural, and the vivid imageries discussed in the works of
Romanticists. The focus on the natural and the supernatural is to
emphasize on the beauty of life in which the Romanticists find themslves
as imaginistic and visionary. The writings of the Romanticists was
filled with spontaneous flow of emotions which are expressed in solitude
as their writings center on the events they experienced in their
lifetime right from their childhood to adulthood. Hopes for a better
future was therefore expressed using imageries intensified by paying
great attention to describing moments in their lives.
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES OF STUDY
The objective of this study are to examine the thematic
focus of selected Romantic poems and evaluate the various images which
are employed to develop the subject matter. In doing this, one needs to
establish the nature of the Romantic aesthetic tradition.
The Romanticists believe in using the external to change the
internal workings of man; these external elements are seen in natural
landscape which is made of beauty and beauty is seen as good, pure and
peaceful. However, due to the emergence of science and technology, man
got seperated from the use of natural elements and so, did not
appreciate nature enough to see that nature is the only tool with which
man can exist peacefully. In addition to the presentation of nature and
its spiritual composition as the only way for peaceful co-existence,
this research work will emphasize on the unfeeling nature of man towards
natural elements and how insignificant they place nature despite the
importance which these writers attach to nature.
Furthermore, the wide gap in social class which was caused by
science and technology will be analysed (though not over-emphasized) as
not only did the invention of machines cause man to deviate from nature,
it also made the society segregated in terms of class. This is perhaps
the early beginnings of what is now known as Marxism which the Modern
period writers now adopts in their writings.
Finally, the aim and objective of this research is to make
intended researchers appreciate the Romantic age and see it as, perhaps,
an age of enlightenment which can be referred to as the soul and
beginning of literary writings.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF STUDY
For so many years, so many writers at one point or the
other have examined Romantic works in various ways, that is, the form,
themes, techniques, and the use of imagery in Romanticism. This research
shall however, be limited to the extensive appraisal of the themes and
imagery used by Romantic writers.
Hence, "Themes and Imagery in Selected Romantic Poems" and the
data which will be used for analyzing these two concepts are William
Wordsworth's "The World is too Much with Us", "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" and William Blake’s "London" and "The Garden of Love".
JUSTIFICATION OF STUDY
The reason for embarking on this research work is to justify the
thematic compositions and use of imagery by Romantic writers. These
themes include nature, lure of the exotic and the supernatural. The
images are conveyed through the use of literary elements such as
metaphors, onomatopoeia, personification, similes, etc., to let the
readers into a world of physical imagination which is what the
Romanticists makes their works look like.
Also, is to justify the use of natural landscape to preach beauty, purity and goodness in nature.
RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Romanticism as a very broad topic of study under poetry
could be very strenuous in its generality; hence, the approach of this
study confines the themes and imagery in selected Romantic poems. Though
relevant references could be drawn from other Romantic poems, the data
analysis would centre on William Blake’s ‘London’ and ‘The Garden of Love’ as well as William Wordsworth’s ‘The World is Too Much With Us’ and "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud".
An analytical method will be used in this research. Texts will
be analyzed using the image-making, sound-making, and meaning making
model which requires detailed explication of texts in terms of sound
resources, diction and figurative components and the pattern of meanings
generated.
RESEARCH QUESTIONS
In every research, problems arises and these problems
poses a lot of questions to the researcher whose sole purpose is to make
sure that the problems posed are solved to the best of his/ her
findings. This research therefore, will endeavor to answer different
questions bordering on the Romantic period for clarification of what the
period is really all about. These questions include: What is
Romanticism? What are the themes of the Romantic period? How are
imageries conveyed by Romanticists? Who are the major writers of the
Romantic period?
In an attempt to give appropriate answers to these questions,
the researcher will carry out thorough investigations on the Romantic
period thereby making references to the works of other researchers and
scholars who have worked on the Romantic age. Also few works of William
Wordsworth and William Blake will be used in solving these questions so
as to get information on the themes of the Romantic period and how best
the Romantic writers use imageries to convey emotions.
REFERENCES
Abrams, M. H. (1972). Wordsworth. USA: Prentice Hall Inc.
Bygrave, S. (Ed.). (1996). Approaching Literature, Romantic Writings. (P VII) USA & Canada: Routledge.
Bodunde(2007) "Poetry as a popular medium, poetic traditions across periods and regions”. Obafemi, O., Ajadi, G. A., Alabi, V.A. (Ed.). Critical Perspectives on English Language and Literature. (P 235). The Department of English: University of Ilorin.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
Nature is not the ultimate reality, but it has a valuable role
to play in the life of man. It is a real and not a deceptive
structure of forms and forces, it displays sublime order
and beauty in both action and being. (Wordsworth)
In a society where materialism rules, human beings are bound to
explore every means in order to attain these material elements and in
doing so, they devote their time and resources thereby having little or
no time to appreciate nature. Thus, for man to appreciate nature again,
the use of literature becomes very important as literature is seen as a
weapon of change. During the Romantic era therefore, writers like
William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, John Keats, William Blake,
Perry .B. Shelly and other romanticists used their works to clamor for a
change in the society. The society they lived in was full of chaos as a
result of the emergence of science and technology which gave birth to
the invention of machines of all kinds. These inventions 'ate up' the
society as they were filled with the glamour of this new technological
breakthrough. Therefore there was little or no time for the indepth
appreciation of the natural and the supernatural.
Religion to the people at the time of these inventions, was a
disturbance and so they wanted little or nothing to do with it.
Therefore, the appreciation of the supernatural was like a burden rather
than a necessity just as the use of natural elements became a waste of
time to them. Even though these natural elements help more in their
lives than the machines that were used for the manufacturing of their
products. These problems, and more were what the writers of this period
viewed and were able to forsee that the future of Europe was not safe;
therefore, in a bid to try and draw man back to nature, they decided to
use their writings to preach the essence of nature and to negate the
corrupt practices prevalent at that time. The Romantic era which lasted
from 1780-1870, was preceded by the Neo-Classical Period. Bygrave (1996,
pVII) describes Romanticism
as a European movement which came to affect all the arts
in the first half of the nineteenth century. It is a very
generalized way of claiming coherence for a vast range
of culture practices…(Bygrave,1996, pVII)
The Romanticists believed in innovation and this is why
they deviated from the norms of writing. They believed in change and not
stagnancy because they believed that the only constant thing in life is
change which can only be caused by the individual. They believed that
change starts when the individual sees the chaos in the society, and
tries to change it by all means. Romanticists negated the
neo-classicists as the latter adhered strictly to their rules and
regulations in writing. On this Bodunde states that: