The Man the Myth

I chose William Wordsworth's "I wandered lonely as a cloud" (476) Formalism is the technical analysis of a particular medium of art. The basis is to focus on the facts evident with no implication of emotional value as determined by the reader. Details used to conclude the true meaning of a particular work may include (but are not limited to) emphasis on structure, tone, word usage, figurative language, and imagery. This approach can identify more or less to a scientific view of the work to find its true nature as it stands. The title of the poem, "I wandered lonely as a cloud" has a subtle ring to it. The point of view is 1st person, which indicates the author is allowing the reader to view him not as a human but as free-flowing object of nature. To wander is to walk with no pre-determined sense of direction. The author uses this word to personify the cloud as him and vice versa. This meaning, he and the clouds are not different but one and the characteristics of a natural cloud's directional path are used to describe the way he has decided to travel at this particular time. We view clouds as the pillow-like structures separating land and sky, always coming and going with no sense of awareness. The connection is made abundantly clear within the title alone. The lines 1-2 within the beginning stanza are direct display of the author's state of mind and being. His state of being suggests that he has decided to take a stroll, possibly to enjoy a beautiful day and escape the realities of complacency. The author's state of mind is visible in the word's he uses to personify the clouds position in nature. Clouds always seem to just exist and be with no cares or worries. The detail is driven deeper when the author paints the image of clouds floating above us. Lines 3-6 speak from the high vantage point suggesting the author was enjoying nature (head in the clouds) when he came upon a field of daffodils. The mention of daffodils suggests the season is