Daffodils Poem

 Daffodils Poem 

by William Wordsworth 

The rhyme scheme of the poem ABABCC in all stanzas

I wandered lonely as a cloud                      A 

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,     B

 When all at once I saw a crowd,               A

 A host, of golden daffodils;                      B

 Beside the lake, beneath the trees,           C

 Fluttering and dancing in the breeze        C

Continuous as the stars that shine           A

 And twinkle on the Milky Way,             B

They stretched in never-ending line        A

 Along the margin of a bay:                     B

 Ten thousand saw I at a glance,              C

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.   C

 

The waves beside them danced, but they    A

Our-did the sparkling waves in glee:          B

A poet could not be but gay,                       A

 In such a jocund company:                        B

 I gazed–and gazed– but little thought        C

What wealth the show to me had brought:  C

For oft, when on my couch I lie              A

 In vacant or In pensive mood,                B

 They flash upon the inward eye             A

Which is the bliss of solitude;                 B

 And then my heart with pleasure fills,   C

And dances with the daffodils.               C

 

Daffodils Poem 

by William Wordsworth 

Paraphrasing all Stanzas

Stanza 1: 

I wandered lonely as a cloud 

That floats on high o’er vales and hills,

 When all at once I saw a crowd,

 A host, of golden daffodils;

 Beside the lake, beneath the trees,

 Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.

 Paraphrasing:

I strolled all alone just like a cloud that floats over the valleys and hills. 

Suddenly, I saw countless golden daffodils growing beside a lake under a

 tree moving and dancing happily in the breeze

Stanza 2: 

Continuous as the stars that shine

 And twinkle on the Milky Way, 

They stretched in never-ending line

 Along the margin of a bay:

 Ten thousand saw I at a glance, 

Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. 

Paraphrasing:

 The daffodils were countless as stars which shine on the Milky Way and

 they were growing along the lake in an endless line. I nearly saw ten 

thousand daffodils moving their heads in a happy/ joyful dance

Stanza 3:

 

The waves beside them danced, but they 

Our-did the sparkling waves in glee:

A poet could not be but gay,

 In such a jocund company:

 I gazed–and gazed– but little thought 

What wealth the show to me had brought:

 Paraphrasing:

 The waves of the lake were also dancing happily but the dance of the

 daffodils was far more superior to the dance of the waves. I feel 

happy in the joyous company of daffodils and keep on seeing the

 golden flowers. This sight as brought me a great wealth

Stanza 4: 

For oft, when on my couch I lie

 In vacant or In pensive mood,

 They flash upon the inward eye 

Which is the bliss of solitude;

 And then my heart with pleasure fills, 

And dances with the daffodils.

 Paraphrasing:

 The poet says that whenever he lies on his bed in a gloomy mood

 or to take rest, the reflection of the beautiful daffodils comes to his 

mind. I feel happy and my heart begins to dance with the daffodils.

 The sight of the daffodils is a blessing and a permanent source of 

pleasure for me.

Theme:

The primary theme of the poem is the connection between nature and human emotions. Wordsworth emphasizes how nature’s beauty uplifts the human spirit, bringing joy and tranquility. The daffodils symbolize nature’s power to inspire, heal, and provide lasting happiness. Another theme is the transformative power of memory, as the poet derives comfort from the recollection of the daffodils long after witnessing them.

Central Idea:

The central idea of the poem is that nature’s beauty has a profound and enduring impact on the human mind and soul. The poet suggests that moments of connection with nature can provide joy and solace, even during periods of loneliness or reflection. The daffodils serve as a metaphor for the vitality and spiritual enrichment that nature offers, making life more meaningful and fulfilling.

Summary:

William Wordsworth’s poem "I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud" describes a memorable encounter with a field of daffodils and its lasting influence on the poet. He compares himself to a solitary cloud drifting over valleys and hills when he suddenly comes across a vast expanse of golden daffodils swaying joyfully by a lake. The flowers, stretching endlessly like stars in the Milky Way, appear alive with energy and outshine the waves of the lake in their cheerful dance. While the poet is captivated by the scene at the moment, its true emotional significance becomes apparent later. During moments of solitude, the memory of the daffodils fills him with peace and happiness, transforming his mood and enriching his spirit.

Rhyme Scheme: The poem follows a consistent ABABCC rhyme scheme in each of its four six-line stanzas. This regular pattern contributes to the poem's musicality and rhythm.

Literary devices that are used in this poem:

Simile: the first literary device is used  in the opening of the poem  with a simile: "I wandered lonely as a cloud." This comparison sets the tone of the poem and establishes the speaker's sense of solitude and aimlessness.

Personification: Wordsworth personifies the daffodils, by giving them human qualities. For example, the daffodils "tossing their heads in sprightly dance" and the waves that "dance" beside them. This personification brings the scene to life and emphasizes the joy and vitality of nature.

Imagery: Vivid imagery is used throughout the poem to create a picture of the natural scene. Wordsworth describes the daffodils as "golden," "fluttering and dancing in the breeze," and "stretched in never-ending line." This use of imagery helps readers visualize the scene and feel the speaker's sense of wonder.

Alliteration: There is a use of alliteration in phrases such as "I gazed—and gazed—but little thought,". In this line the  consonant sound “g” is repeated in the line,  which enhances the musical quality of the poem and draws attention to particular lines.

Hyperbole: Wordsworth uses hyperbole when he describes the daffodils as "ten thousand" seen at a glance. This exaggeration emphasizes the abundance and beauty of the flowers.

Metaphor: The poem uses metaphor when the speaker describes the daffodils as a "crowd" and a "host." These metaphors convey the sense of the daffodils being a community or gathering, enhancing the idea of their collective presence and impact.