Final Blog Entry

"Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey," "Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802," and "London, 1802" are three of William Wordsworth's poems regarding his love for England.  Although they are not necessarily biographical, his life and travels are a matter of importance in these poems. He was torn between a love for his country and, possibly, that of a former lover and child (Smith 73). As I stated in my blog, "Tintern Abbey Further Explained," "[n]ature taught him to appreciate the city, as well as remember his love for it" (Introductory Note"). I also stated in the same blog that his poem, "Tintern Abbey" "compares to his Westminster Bridge poem because he can now pause and reflect upon nature with the guidance that it has afforded him." He brought this new found wealth with him to Westminster Bridge as he paused upon it; he was still, even calm, before the hustle and bustle arose within the city itself (Morgan 123). He chose to reflect upon these objects because it reminded him of the spirit of a country, which he loved ("Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802"). "London, 1802" offers a dissimilar view of England for Wordsworth. He references that it has become "stagnant" (3). The spirit of England which he felt and brought back from Tintern Abbey to Westminster Bridge did not exist anymore. The two views of England in his poems, "Tintern Abbey, and "Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802," suggest that it was a place of tranquility, even in a time of unsettled peace; however, "London, 1802" reflects upon a dissimilar view of England, which contrasts with his usual writing style. He "prizes the uncharacteristic tranquility of this urban moment" (Morgan 124). For Wordsworth, the glory of nature, as well as the view of England in "Tintern Abbey" and "Composed upon Westminster Bridge . . .," contributed to his belief of the myth of England as an island nation, this idea was bigger than life itself. Consequently, he basks in that moment.