William Wordsworth’s poems “The Ruined Cottage” and “The Thorn” share similar narrative designs that manage to bring comfort and peace to the reader. Both Armytage and the speaker in “The Thorn” tell the story of unfortunate events surrounding a female who has been left by their male partner. Through the use of nature and sympathy, Wordsworth provides the reader with lessons in dealing with grief and remembering the truth.
Wordsworth’s poem, “The Ruined Cottage”, tells the sad story of Margaret’s life. When the narrator of the poem meets Armytage at the cottage, Armytage recounts the events of Margaret’s life. While the narrator is interested in his story, Armytage finds comfort in his happy memories of her and her cottage. The poem’s narrator …show more content…
The speaker of the poem recounts the tale of Martha Ray, a story that he has picked up through gossip, tales amongst other townspeople, and not through his own experiences. The speaker is sympathetic toward Martha Ray and accepts that he does not know what is necessarily the truth surrounding her circumstances. The listener is curious and intrigued by the story of Martha Ray and continues to press the speaker for more information. Through these questions it is revealed how Martha Ray has become a subject of frequent gossip between the townspeople and that the speaker is conflicted over this.
The speaker is much more concerned about Martha Ray’s wellbeing and state of mind, rather than the mystery behind the moss and flower covered mound. “’I did not speak – I saw her face’ / Her face! – it was enough for me’” (188-89). At this point, the speaker has been convinced of how distraught Martha Ray is over her losses. As she cries, “Oh misery! oh misery!” (198), the speaker and “all the country know” (196) her pain. Contrary to what the speaker thinks, the listener and the townspeople want to speculate more on the specifics of the mysterious hilltop
Wordsworth’s poem, “The Ruined Cottage”, tells the sad story of Margaret’s life. When the narrator of the poem meets Armytage at the cottage, Armytage recounts the events of Margaret’s life. While the narrator is interested in his story, Armytage finds comfort in his happy memories of her and her cottage. The poem’s narrator …show more content…
The speaker of the poem recounts the tale of Martha Ray, a story that he has picked up through gossip, tales amongst other townspeople, and not through his own experiences. The speaker is sympathetic toward Martha Ray and accepts that he does not know what is necessarily the truth surrounding her circumstances. The listener is curious and intrigued by the story of Martha Ray and continues to press the speaker for more information. Through these questions it is revealed how Martha Ray has become a subject of frequent gossip between the townspeople and that the speaker is conflicted over this.
The speaker is much more concerned about Martha Ray’s wellbeing and state of mind, rather than the mystery behind the moss and flower covered mound. “’I did not speak – I saw her face’ / Her face! – it was enough for me’” (188-89). At this point, the speaker has been convinced of how distraught Martha Ray is over her losses. As she cries, “Oh misery! oh misery!” (198), the speaker and “all the country know” (196) her pain. Contrary to what the speaker thinks, the listener and the townspeople want to speculate more on the specifics of the mysterious hilltop