This presentation addresses the theme of Human Disposition as discussed in the poetry of William Wordsworth and Robert Frost.

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2. Content…
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3. One source of inspiration…
William Wordsworth (7 April 1770 – 23 April 1850)
 A Romantic Poet...
- Launched the Romantic age together with Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
- Poems contain his own experiences due to being inspired directly by nature.
e.g. Daffodils
- Essential features of romanticism in his poetry:
- Places nature on a pedestal.
- Inseparable relationship between humans and nature (solace and comfort, healing property of
nature, a source of inspiration)
e.g. Daffodils
- Uses nature as a tool to bring out the dark side of the human condition.
e.g. Lines written in Early Spring
 Tragic and disappointing experiences in wordsworth’s life ( e.g. loss of sympathy for the French revolution)
influenced him to contrast the nature and the evils of human nature.
e.g. Lines Written in Early Spring
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4. Robert Lee Frost ( March 26, 1874 – January 29, 1963)
 Maintained a close relationship with nature since childhood.
- Most of his poems portray the influence of his own experiences with nature. (e.g. Birches)
 Known as a Pastoral, Modern and Dark Romantic Poet.
Pastoral poet?
- According to J.F. Lynen, In pastorals the subject is , a way of life, and nature is merely the setting within
which we see this. The pastoralist does not write about nature; he uses nature as his scene.
- Frost uses “ nature as his scene” to reveal the dark depths of human disposition through symbolism and analogy.
e.g. Design
 Modern poet
- Frost’s poetry unveils the “modern diseases” of mankind such as loneliness, regret, suffering and deterioration of values. (e.g.
God’s Garden)
 Not romantic, but dark romantic?
- Does not see nature through the glasses of a traditional Romantic Poet. E.g. When he describes a tree as "Vague dream-head
lifted out of the ground,/ And thing next most diffuse to cloud," the Romantic vision is immediately dispelled by the facts of a different
landscape, "Not all your light tongues talking aloud/ Could be profound.“ (J.F. Lynen)
-Does not view nature as a source of escape, solace or a remedy for the dark realities of the human condition.
-Portrays nature as harsh, deceptive and cruel as that of the human world.
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5. William Wordsworth Robert Frost
 Nature used as a tool to
unmask the darkest depths
of human disposition –
nature is placed on a
pedestal and its purity is
employed to reflect the
dark nature of humans.
Lines Written in Early Spring
I heard a thousand blended
notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when
pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through
me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to
think
What man has made of man.
 Nature used as a tool to
unmask the darkest
depths of human
disposition - Uses analogy
between elements of
nature and stark reality of
the human condition
Fire and Ice
Some say the world will end in
fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor
fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
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6. William Wordsworth Robert Frost
 There is hope for humans
about the future as
nature is a source of
wisdom.
The Tables Turned
And hark! how blithe the throstle
sings!
He, too, is no mean preacher:
Come forth into the light of things,
Let Nature be your teacher.
She has a world of ready wealth,
Our minds and hearts to bless—
Spontaneous wisdom breathed by
health,
Truth breathed by cheerfulness.
 Uncertainty about future.
Design
What but design of darkness to
appall?..
If design govern in a thing so
small.
Fire and Ice
 Nature is a source of
escape for humans from
their dark feelings.
- possesses the ability to
heal those feelings (healing
property).
Daffodils
For oft, when o my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure
fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
 Humans are doomed to their
fate and cannot escape the
suffering.
According to Lionel trilling,
“Frost's poetry tends to portray
man as a helpless pygmy in
front of the huge might and
complexity of the world that
Some say the world will end in
fire,
Some say in ice.
From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor
fire.
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
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7. William Wordsworth Robert Frost
 The beauty of nature is
portrayed as pure and
innocent in order to show
a contrast between
nature and the human
condition
Lines Written in Early Spring
If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature’s holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?
 The beauty of nature is
portrayed as deceptive,
sinister and evil, similar to
that of human nature
According to Lionel
trilling,
“One may be caught unawares
even at the most unexpected
places. Think not that black is
the lone color representing evil
as white too has the power to
disturb & startle you
unexpectedly”
Design
What had the flower to do with
being white,
The wayside blue and innocent
heal-all?
What brought the kindred
spider to that height,
Then steered the white moth
thither in the night?
 Expresses pity and
sympathizes with the
darker side of human
beings
Lines Written in Early Spring
To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me
ran;
And much it grieved my heart to
think
What man has made of man.
 Blunt and critical of the
darker side of humans and
doesn’t express any
sympathy
Fire and Ice
But if it had to perish twice,
I think I know enough of hate
To say that for destruction ice
Is also great
And would suffice.
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8. • In their poems, nature is a constant reminder of the dark reality of the human
condition.
• Acknowledges the dark and inherent qualities of humans.
• The symbolic nature related titles of the poems reflect the prominence given to
nature.
Ex: Frost – Birches, Leaves Compared with Flowers, Fire and Ice
Wordsworth – Daffodils, A Whirl- blast from Behind the Hill
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One picture, two artists…
JEALOUSY
Frost - From what I’ve tasted of desire
I hold with those who favor fire.
Wordsworth - And, though the jealous turf refuse
By random footsteps to be prest,
And feed on never-sullied dews,
DESOLATION
FROST - And lonely as it is, that loneliness
Will be more lonely ere it will be less -
A blanker whiteness of benighted snow
With no expression, nothing to express.
Wordsworth – when all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils
SUFFERING AND PAIN
Frost - I'd like to go by climbing a birch tree,
And climb black branches up a snow-white trunk
Toward heaven, till the tree could bear no more,
But dipped its top and set me down again.
That would be good both going and coming back.
Wordsworth - Through primrose tufts, in that green bower
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And ’tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.
AVARICE
FROST - Gold flowers for them to find.
And mankind saw the bright flowers,
That, glitt'ring in the sun,
Quite hid the thorns of av'rice
That poison blood and bone;
And far off many wandered
Wordsworth - This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon;
The winds that will be howling at all hours,
And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers;

10. Conclusion…
- It is evident that both poets employ nature as a tool in their poems to
effectively convey the subject matter and themes
- There is an inextricable link between nature and humans disposition.
- This presentation is not a generalization of poetry by Frost and
Wordsworth, but rather a discussion of their most prominent
features, in relation to nature and the darkest depths of the human
condition.
- There may be a few exceptions, ( “The World Is Too Much With Us”
by Wordsworth ) – deviation from Wordsworth’s usual style
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11. Reference List…
Ackroyd, P., The Romantics. In BBC. Available at <http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/romantics/intro.shtml> [Accessed 20
September 2014]
Gillani, N. S., 2009. Robert Frost: A modern poet. In English Literature. Available at
<http://www.engliterarium.com/2009/02/robert-frost-modern-poet.html> [Accessed 14 September 2014]
Graham, D and Sintay, K., 2001. After confession: poetry as autobiography. Saint Paul, Minnesota: Graywolf press.
Available at<www.valpo.edu/byrnecessary> [Accessed 14 September 2014]
Lahti, D., 2012. Lyrical Ballads, and other early poems. In Reflections on Great Literature. Available at
<http://greatlit.qwriting.qc.cuny.edu/2014/06/19/lyrical-ballads-and-other-early-poems/#more-419> [Accessed
14 September 2014]
Lynen, F. J., 1960. Nature and Pastoralism. New Haven: Yale University Press. Available
at<http://www.frostfriends.org/FFL/Nature%20and%20Pastoralism%20-%20Lynen/lynenessay1.html>
[Accessed 14 September 2014]
Melani, L., 2009. Romanticism. New York: Brooklyn College English Department. Available
at<http://www.academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/rom.html> [Accessed 20 September 2014]
Rzepka, C.J.,1998.Recollecting spontaneous overflows: Romantic passions, the sublime and mesmerism. Paris:France
Available atwww.rc.umd.edu/praxis/rzp.html
Vincent, C., 2009. The Poetry of Robert Frost. In GradeSaver <http://www.gradesaver.com/the-poetry-of-
robertfrost/study-guide/major-themes> [Accessed 15 September 2014]
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