Wordsworth And European Society Analysis

Mishra 1
Saloni Mishra
Prof. K. Dang
English, Research Paper
22nd October 2015
Wordsworth and European Society
“Rapine, avarice, expense, this is idolatry: and these we adore: Plain living and high thinking are no more” – William Wordsworth. From his choice of words, Wordsworth expresses nothing but disgust and despair. The idea behind this quote effectively summarizes William Wordsworth’s opinions regarding European society during the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries and acts as a medium for Wordsworth to voice his beliefs pertaining to the world that surrounded him. Humans, on their journey towards evolution, have been distancing themselves from spiritual pursuits to be lured by the never-ending thirst for wealth. Wordsworth is a poet

In the poem the poet urges his friend to leave his sedentary habits by stepping out into nature to learn and observe. The poet says two things as to why one should get out in the nature instead of adopting the prevailing European lifestyle. Exposure to the nature is good for health and it also provides humans with genuine wisdom and knowledge. According to Wordsworth nature teaches moral and values that cannot be learnt through books. The poet is concerned that as the society is modernising, people are neglecting and abandoning nature even

Even though Europe was advancing in science and technology it was simultaneously regressing in spirituality and philosophy. In the lines above Wordsworth says that humans and their intellect meddles with the environment. He urges people to stop indulging in science and art, which he refers to as “barren leaves”.

The advent of industrialisation increased materialistic sentiments and greed for money, but it also empowered the middle class that gained employment in the industries. Though workers secured jobs for themselves, they experienced atrocious conditions at the hands of unethical employers. In “The Excursion” Wordsworth denounces the exploitation of women and children, poor work conditions and greed of factory owners.
“The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid