Philosophy of William Wordsworth

William Wordsworth

In "Preface to Lyrical Ballads," William Wordsworth explores what he believes to be the search for truth in art. His claim rests on the assertion that "all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (Wordsworth 19). Wordsworth clearly equates the creation of poetry as an outward expression of an inner emotion or experience. His theory supports the fact that poetry is not simply something that is to be written but that it be read and understood by every man. This paper will examine how Wordsworth reaches this conclusion and successfully proves his points.

Wordsworth begins his "preface to Lyrical Ballads" by focusing on issues of style. He claims, "Humble and rustic life was generally chosen, because, in that condition, the essential passions of the heart find a better soil in which they can attain their maturity, are less under restraint, and speak a plainer and more emphatic language" (18). He believes that feelings "coexist in a state of greater simplicity" (18) and, as a result, are "more accurately contemplated, and more forcibly communicated" (18). From this perspective, Wordsworth is aiming the success of poetry as an art form at the human experience. His premise depends on the notion that poetry is meant to be a communication tool first and foremost. As a result, it is the responsibility of the poet to express him or herself in a manner appropriate. Wordsworth is correct in assuming that unless readers can gain pleasure from reading something they do not understand, the poet should descend from his or her "supposed height" and "express himself as other men express themselves" (23). This statement lies at the very heart of Wordsworth's notion.

In fact, Wordsworth rails against the poetry of the day that lended itself to social vanities. The object of poetry, according Wordsworth, is to relate to the experiences of the common man in a language that was used by common men. At the same time, he claims that things should be presented to the "mind in an unusual aspect . . . To make these incidents and situations interesting" (18). His argument is strengthened from the fact that from such common experiences, "the passions of men are incorporated with the beautiful and permanent forms of nature" (18). Furthermore, he argues that a common language that develops from such experiences is "more permanent, and a far more philosophical language" (18) than that employed by poets who think "they are conferring honour upon themselves and their art, in proportion as they separate themselves from the sympathies of men" (18). This separation, Wordsworth writes, is simply to satisfy their own "capricious habits of expression, in order to furnish food for fickle tastes, and fickle appetites, of their own creation" (18). These statements reflect the chasm that can exist between the artist and the audience when the artist becomes consumed with him or herself. His intention is to urge the artist back to sense of expression to which all men can relate.

Wordsworth's famous claim that "all good poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings" (19) reflects the expressionist theory because poems that are of any value depend upon the poet who possessed more than "usual organic sensibility but had also thought long and deeply" (19). Expression of emotion or senses is central to the poem and the poem's value. Wordsworth declares that the feeling behind the poem, or work of art, "gives importance to the action and situation" (19). This is in contrast to the popular poetry of his day, which, in Wordsworth's view, relied on the situation and action to construct feeling. In other words, the success of a poem depends on the evolution of an emotion rather than syntax or how a poem is constructed. Clearly, we can see how Wordsworth was concerned with the message of a poem and how others could relate to it before he was concerned with the vocabulary or structure of the poem itself.

In fact, Wordsworth admits to avoiding as poetic diction as possible. We can see how Wordsworth is striving to come close to the very basic experience of human nature with this idea. He goes on to say that our thoughts are "representatives of all our past feelings, and, any contemplating the relation of these general representatives to each other, we discover what is really important to me" (19). Again, we witness Wordsworth attempting to convince poets to return to a more common form of expression so that the reader and the poet share a connection. In addition, these statements reveal how Wordsworth is not only writing just for the sake of writing -- he is writing so that others can relate to his experiences.

Additionally, Wordsworth cannot stress enough the importance of the poet bringing his art closer to the reader. (20) He also believes that the poet should "consider himself as in the situation of a translator" (20). Every human being can relate to these passions. Poetry, of any nature should bring the reader a sense of pleasure as well as knowledge. "Poetry," according to Wordsworth, " is the first and last of all knowledge -- it is as immortal as the heart of man" (22). In other words, poetry fails if the reader cannot experience, much less understand it. Wordsworth also places a great deal of importance on purpose. He claims that each of his poems has a "worthy purpose" (19). With this in mind, we can see how his poetry depended heavily on experience.

Another object of Wordsworth's poetry is truth. He tells us that although poetry is indeed philosophical, its aim is that of truth, 'not individual and local, but general, and operative (20). From this perspective, Wordsworth likens poetry to science. He claims that if science were to ever wear a "form of flesh and blood, the Poet will lend his divine spirit to aid the transfiguration, and will welcome the Being thus produced, as a dear and genuine inmate of the household of man" (22). Again, we can see the importance of expressionism in Wordsworth's analogy. Every man experiences cold, heat, loss, injury, hope, fear, and sorrow and because of that fact, these experiences are of interest to every man. He continues to argue that with such a task, the poet is not much different than any other man that feels vividly or sees clearly. (23) These passions, he concludes, connect us to one another. In addition, Wordsworth claims that "poets do not write for poets alone, but for men" (23). Truth must come before form, diction, or vocabulary. Truth is born from the experience and the expression of it in a way that all men can understand.