"The World Is Too Much With Us" Analysis

William Wordsworth was a simplistic romantic poet, unlike his counterparts; he uses un-vague and intrinsic language to deliver a message on the human condition. In his poem, “The World Is Too Much With Us,” Wordsworth makes an initial claim that humanity has lost touch with nature, and their focus has shifted to materialistic needs. However, when one has thoroughly evaluated the poem, you can also ascertain that Wordsworth on a secondary level is making a claim on a lack of imagination and the negative influence of organized religion on one’s imagination and ability to think freely. In turn, he delivers his message with succinct and cohesive language.

“The world is too much with us; late and soon, getting and spending, we lay waster our powers; - little we see in Nature that is ours.” In turn, in lines 1-3, Wordsworth is very direct with the statement he is trying to relay, he claims that humanity is too caught up in materialistic things, whether it is clothes, cars, diamonds or etc. He claims that these aspects have no relevance in our life, and that nature holds this unlocked beauty. In turn, he is differentiating nature and materialism, claiming that one is looking for happiness in money-oriented and overly complex objects, but one should find happiness in nature and simplicity. He also makes an indirect comment on the industrial revolution, where he suggests that people are wasting their time in factories inhaling black smoke and surrounded by unhappiness, ruining nature. Instead, they could be inspired by nature, observing beauty, surrounded by happiness and breathing fresh air.

On the other hand Wordsworth makes a comment on religious aspects during his period, claiming that, “ Great God! I’d rather be a Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; so might I, standing on this pleasant lea, have glimpses that would make me less forlorn.” In lines 9-12, Wordsworth suggests that organized religion has affected humanity in a negative way, suggesting that the human mind has been deceived to think a certain way; there is no longer free will to perceive something without any pre-conceived notions. In fact, he asserts that he would rather be pagan, standing out from the rest of the crowd, so he can maintain his imagination and ability to freely take in nature, without any religious organization filling his mind with any ideas. In fact he proceeds in lines 13-14, by making a comment on the power of nature and imagination, “ Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.” In turn, Wordsworth suggests that nature and imagination are powerful aspects in one’s life, claiming that if one was allowed to think freely without being deceived by religious notions, they could imagine things like Proteus rising from the sea, or Triton blowing his horn.

        

In turn, Wordsworth is very direct; his comments on the human condition don’t hold any ambiguous ideas. He is frustrated by the human condition, the ability of humans to misuse their powers by focusing on materialistic matters, rather than focus on nature. He is also disturbed that organized religion could have control over a person’s ability to think freely and let their imagination flow. In turn, he espouses the ability of nature to inspire one’s imagination, the ability of free will to expand one’s mind.