Idealism Vs Realism
Idealism Vs. Realism
Interpreting both poems, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth and “Smell” by William Carlos Williams, these authors take diverse approaches towards these poems when it comes to realism and idealism. William Carlos Williams tends to take a more realistic approach towards “Smell” by demonstrating forms of anti-romanticism, and negativity towards his own nose, while William Wordsworth leans toward a more idealistic approach by personifying non-living things and using romanticism to express deep, intense emotions towards the astonishing daffodils.
Exploring William Carlos Williams, “Smell”, this poem clearly demonstrates a strong approach towards realism. Williams expresses this by speaking of a real life experience instead of an idealistic dream vision. Williams demonstrates …show more content…
Additionally, Williams expresses anti-romanticism throughout this poem by speaking of an ordinary every day situation where his nose “Must […] have a part in everything” (“Williams” 14). Undoubtedly, this poem is simply relatable. Since everyone has a nose and probably experienced the same situation Williams has, this poem gains relationships with many readers. In addition, pathetic fallacy is rejected throughout this poem by failing to use conventional associations. For example, nature is usually used as a romantic state to escape from all of the troubles in the world and commonly offers peace and serenity. In Williams’ poem “Smell”, nature is used as a revolting smell and a place one would rather not be. This is shown when the author declares, “the souring flowers of the bedraggled /poplars […] that rank odor of a passing springtime!” (“Williams” 5-6, 9) The flowers are smelled as if they were acid, and springtime is described as sickening. As Abrams states from his excerpt “A Glossary of Literary Terms”, “Realistic fiction is often
Interpreting both poems, “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud” by William Wordsworth and “Smell” by William Carlos Williams, these authors take diverse approaches towards these poems when it comes to realism and idealism. William Carlos Williams tends to take a more realistic approach towards “Smell” by demonstrating forms of anti-romanticism, and negativity towards his own nose, while William Wordsworth leans toward a more idealistic approach by personifying non-living things and using romanticism to express deep, intense emotions towards the astonishing daffodils.
Exploring William Carlos Williams, “Smell”, this poem clearly demonstrates a strong approach towards realism. Williams expresses this by speaking of a real life experience instead of an idealistic dream vision. Williams demonstrates …show more content…
Additionally, Williams expresses anti-romanticism throughout this poem by speaking of an ordinary every day situation where his nose “Must […] have a part in everything” (“Williams” 14). Undoubtedly, this poem is simply relatable. Since everyone has a nose and probably experienced the same situation Williams has, this poem gains relationships with many readers. In addition, pathetic fallacy is rejected throughout this poem by failing to use conventional associations. For example, nature is usually used as a romantic state to escape from all of the troubles in the world and commonly offers peace and serenity. In Williams’ poem “Smell”, nature is used as a revolting smell and a place one would rather not be. This is shown when the author declares, “the souring flowers of the bedraggled /poplars […] that rank odor of a passing springtime!” (“Williams” 5-6, 9) The flowers are smelled as if they were acid, and springtime is described as sickening. As Abrams states from his excerpt “A Glossary of Literary Terms”, “Realistic fiction is often