“The World Is Too Much With Us” is a sonnet that encourages us to ponder the cost of our rush for fame, funds, and accomplishments. Wordsworth keeps a straightforward tone as he shines a light on the inestimable significance of nature and its role in nudging humanity forward.
Is the material gain all that matters? We’ll find out with this explainer. As usual, you can drop your thoughts in the comments below:
What’s having a negative impact on our lives?
According to Wordsworth, our blind pursuit of materialistic success, financial objectives, and the need to conform to society’s expectations have rendered us fussy and disconnected. We might look glad and content on the surface. But some of us are prisoners in a prison built out of our hollow needs.
Due to this, we have lost our ability to connect with nature and draw inspiration from it. Expressing this thought, the poet writes, “We lay waste our powers;— Little we see in Nature that is ours.”
Why can’t humans appreciate nature?
Nature has a lot to offer, and a lot goes on every time that’s worth all our attention. We just need to look around with keen eyes. Praising nature, the poet writes, “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;”
We can’t appreciate the beauty of nature due to our egotism. As we grow up, our experiences shape us to develop greed and foster relationships solely with the things that can provide us with glittery gains. Of course, why would nature interest us? Nature has got greenery, not greens.
What’s Wordsworth’s wish to God?
The poet pens, “Great God! I’d rather be A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn.” He wishes he were born and raised in a culture with many gods. That way, he can see and have interactions with whoever he wants.
Wordsworth wishes he would see “Proteus rising” out of the sea or “hear old Triton blow” his conch shell. Such a culture would make Wordsworth “less forlorn”.
What is the significance of the poem?
“The World Is Too Much With Us” is Wordsworth’s straightforward appeal to humans to embrace nature and stop leading a selfish life. Of course, having a purpose is important, but under no circumstance should a man ever part ways with nature. No form of material benefits and luxury can compare with the tranquility one can obtain from a mini interaction with a river. That state of mind is special.
What are your thoughts on The World Is Too Much? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: