The Sacrifice for Progress In “The World Is Too Much with Us” by William Wordsworth, Wordsworth writes to show how far humanity has drifted from the natural world. Wordsworth wrote this poem during his later years in 1804. Well aware of the fact that he could not see nature in the same youthful light he previously had (Odell and Beers 561), this piece was very much a rebellion. A rebellion against his own aging, modern society, and his opponents who accused him of being an enemy of progress. This accusation against Wordsworth had to do with his critical attitude towards humanity and modern society. His cynicism of civilization stemmed from the central idea of longing for a time when people lived in tune with nature. This was a central idea
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Given the previous line, where he claims that he would prefer to give up his god, there must be a good explanation as to what for. These next few lines are the answer to what Wordsworth could possibly get in return for losing his place in heaven. “So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, have glimpses that would make me less forlorn” (Wordsworth 11 - 12). This line shows that his desire is not even to necessarily return to the natural world, but simply to see a few visions of it. These visions being of “Proteus rising from the sea; or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn” (Wordsworth 13 - 14). The sea and ocean is often used to represent nature itself. Forrests can be cut down, and mountains can be mined, but the ocean cannot be destroyed, even today. The ocean is also representative of an everlasting tide. While the tide can be stalled with industry, it is only a matter of time until the tide pushes back. What is important here is that not only is Wordsworth merely seeing or hearing the old gods, but they are not a major god such as Poseidon. This can be taken into account with the previous line, making it that much more powerful a statement. Wordsworth would give up all that humanity has built, as well as his chances of an ideal afterlife, all in exchange for merely seeing or even hearing an echo of the old world that he longs
Given the previous line, where he claims that he would prefer to give up his god, there must be a good explanation as to what for. These next few lines are the answer to what Wordsworth could possibly get in return for losing his place in heaven. “So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, have glimpses that would make me less forlorn” (Wordsworth 11 - 12). This line shows that his desire is not even to necessarily return to the natural world, but simply to see a few visions of it. These visions being of “Proteus rising from the sea; or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn” (Wordsworth 13 - 14). The sea and ocean is often used to represent nature itself. Forrests can be cut down, and mountains can be mined, but the ocean cannot be destroyed, even today. The ocean is also representative of an everlasting tide. While the tide can be stalled with industry, it is only a matter of time until the tide pushes back. What is important here is that not only is Wordsworth merely seeing or hearing the old gods, but they are not a major god such as Poseidon. This can be taken into account with the previous line, making it that much more powerful a statement. Wordsworth would give up all that humanity has built, as well as his chances of an ideal afterlife, all in exchange for merely seeing or even hearing an echo of the old world that he longs