Summary of William Wordsworth The Reverie of Poor Susan

At the corner of Wood Street, when daylight appears,
Hangs a Thrush that sings loud, it has sung for three years:
Poor Susan has passed by the spot, and has heard
In the silence of morning the song of the Bird.

These lines seems to describe a scene where there’s a Thrush bird singing loudly at the corner of Wood Street. It’s been singing for three years, and Poor Susan has passed by that spot and heard the bird’s song in the quiet of the morning. It’s a beautiful image of nature’s music blending with the stillness of the early hours. It feels like a moment of serenity and connection with the natural world. One can observe the romantic element of a rural woman named Susan who is in a city found her attachment in the city through the sound of nature.

Tis a note of enchantment; what ails her? She sees
A mountain ascending, a vision of trees;
Bright volumes of vapour through Lothbury glide,
And a river flows on through the vale of Cheapside.

These lines suggest a sense of enchantment and wonder in the midst of the cityscape. The mention of a mountain and trees amidst the urban setting evokes a feeling of nature’s presence, offering a contrast to the concrete jungle. The bright volumes of vapour flowing through Lothbury and the river flowing through the vale of Cheapside add a touch of movement and life to the scene. It’s as if the poet is inviting us to see the beauty and magic that can be found even in the heart of the city. The imagery creates a dreamlike atmosphere, where the ordinary becomes extraordinary. It’s a reminder to appreciate the hidden wonders that can be found around us, even in the most unexpected places.

Green pastures she views in the midst of the dale,
Down which she so often has tripped with her pail;
And a single small cottage, a nest like a dove’s,
The one only dwelling on earth that she loves.

These lines paint a lovely picture of the beauty of green pastures in the midst of a dale, a place where the speaker has often walked with her pail. The mention of a single small cottage, described as a nest like a dove’s, emphasizes the significance of this humble dwelling. It’s the one and only place on Earth that she truly loves. The imagery evokes a sense of familiarity, comfort, and attachment to a specific location. It suggests that this cottage holds a special place in the speaker’s heart, perhaps representing a cherished home or a symbol of solace and happiness. It’s a touching portrayal of finding joy and contentment in the simplicity of a beloved place.

She looks, and her heart is in heaven: but they fade,
The mist and the river, the hill and the shade:
The stream will not flow, and the hill will not rise,
And the colours have all passed away from her eyes!

These lines convey a sense of disappointment and loss. The speaker looks around and feels as if her heart is in heaven, filled with joy and wonder. However, the mist, the river, the hill, and the shade all fade away, losing their vibrancy and beauty. The stream stops flowing, the hill doesn’t rise, and the colors vanish from her eyes. It’s as if the world around her loses its enchantment and becomes dull and lifeless. These lines emphasize the fleeting nature of happiness and the transient quality of beauty. They speak to the bittersweet realization that the things we cherish and find solace in can sometimes fade away, leaving us longing for their return. It’s a poignant reminder to appreciate and hold onto the moments of joy and beauty while they last.

William Wordsworth as a Romantic Poet

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