Prompt 01
The Prelude (Extract) — William Wordsworth
AP LiteratureAQAIB Language & LiteratureEdexcel
In this extract from The Prelude, Wordsworth depicts nature as a profound moral and psychological force that influences the growth of the human mind and self. Write a well-organized essay arguing how Wordsworth employs poetic techniques — including imagery, personification, tone, and the sublime — to illustrate the notion that nature acts as a "foster mother" or guiding presence in shaping individual identity and moral awareness.
Your essay should
- Present a clear, arguable thesis in your introduction that asserts a specific viewpoint on how nature operates in the extract.
- Develop at least three body paragraphs, each centered around a unique piece of textual evidence and a focused analytical point.
- Closely examine the language and form of the poem, considering how Wordsworth's use of blank verse (unrhymed iambic pentameter) enhances the poem's reflective, autobiographical tone.
- Explore counterarguments or complexity: for instance, does nature always provide comfort, or does it also intimidate and discipline?
- Conclude by reflecting on the broader significance of Wordsworth's vision — what does this extract imply about the Romantic view of the relationship between humanity and the natural world?
Assessment Focus
Close reading · Argument construction · Use of textual evidence · Understanding of Romantic literary context