Preface to lyrical ballads

1. What is “Lyrical Ballads”?

Ans: “Lyrical Ballads” is a collection of poems by Samuel Taylor Coleridge and William Wordsworth.

2. Who were main collaborators in the “Preface to Lyrical Ballads”?

It was the Collaboration of Wordsworth and Coleridge.

3. What is the subject of thought in his “Preface to Lyrical Ballads”?

In all of them, Wordsworth’s subject is poetic diction and his view of poetry.

4. Why did Wordsworth write his “Preface to the Lyrical Ballads”?

It was an experiment against the inane and gaudy phraseology of the previous writers of the 18"
century, to ascertain how far the language of conversation in the middle and lower classes of society
was adapted to the purpose of poetic pleasure.

5. What was the principal object of Wordsworth in these poems?

His principal object in these poems, he said, “was to choose incidents and situations from common
life, and to relate or describe them, throughout, as far as possible, in a selection of language really
used by men, and at the same time, to throw over them a certain colouring of imagination, whereby
ordinary things should be presented to the mind in an unusual aspect.

6. What is the view of Wordsworth on the simplicity of the language?

Wordsworth choose only low and rustic life for his purpose because in that condition free from all
outside influences, men speak from their own personal experience and “convey their feelings and
notions in simple and unelaborated expressions.” According to Wordsworth simple language” is more
permanent, and a far more philosophical language, than that, which is frequently substituted for it by
poets, which is tough and furnishes food for fickle tastes and fickle appetites of their own creation”.

7. What is the theory of poetic diction of Wordsworth?

Wordsworth theory of poetic diction was to imitate, and as far as possible to adopt” the very language
of men” .... To bring “my language near to the language of men”.

8. What should be the effort of a poet or a prose writer according to Wordsworth?

According to Wordsworth if the poet’s subject be judiciously chosen, it will naturally, and upon fit
occasion, lead him to passions the language of which must necessarily be dignified and variegated,
and alive with figures and metaphors.

9. What is the concept of poetic art according to Wordsworth?

Wordsworth defines good poetry as “the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings”, it takes its
origin from emotions recollected in tranquillity; the emotion is contemplated till by a species of
reaction, the tranquillity gradually disappears and an emotion kindred to that which was before the
subject of contemplation is gradually produced and does actually exist in the mind. In this mood,
successful composition generally begins and is carried on.

10. What is the function of poetry?

Since poet is a “man speaking to men,” his poetry should give pleasure to the common men reading
it. The moral consists partly in the refinement of feelings which true poetry effects, partly is the
knowledge of “Man, Nature and Human life” and on things that makes life fuller and richer.

11. What is the difference between science and poetry?

According to Wordsworth, while the happenings in science please only to a scientist, the poetry is the
breath and fines spirit of all knowledge, it is the impassioned expression which is in the countenance
of all science.

12. Discuss Wordsworth’s views on meter.

Wordsworth believes that meter added to a piece of poetry is pleasure superadded and calls it the
flowers of speech which is variegated and dignified.

13. What is the role of imagination in Wordsworth’s concept of creativity?

Wordsworth was of the opinion that nature can add in Wordsworth’s poetry for the revelation of a
sense of mystery and uncommonness in the ordinary objects of nature and human life. He threw a
colouring of imagination upon the common things of life and nature so as to make them appear to be
uncommon — to make the natural appear like the supernatural by the iridescent colour of
imagination. The ordinary objects are so heightened and glorified by the poet’s imagination that they
seem completely transmuted and transfigured. Wordsworth adds from his imagination a new light to
what he sees and hears: The ordinary things of life and nature thus assume new appearance and
acquire a new charm under the imaginative treatment of the poet. In fact, the whole of Wordsworth’s
poetry is an integrated vision of nature and man revealed through his imagination.

14. What kind of people are chosen by Wordsworth in ‘Lyrical Ballads’?

Humble and rustic people are chosen by Wordsworth in ‘Lyrical Ballads’.

15. What was the theme of Wordsworth's new poetry?

Ans: The theme of Wordsworth's new poetry was humble and rustic life.

16. Why does Wordsworth choose humble and rustic life?

Ans: Wordsworth chooses humble and rustic life because in that condition, "the essential passions of
the heart find a better soil in which they can attain their maturity….”.

17. What should be the subject matter of poetry according to Wordsworth?

Ans: According to Wordsworth, the subject matter of poetry should be the incidents and situations
from common life.

18. Why did Wordsworth choose the language of the common man?

Ans: Wordsworth chose the language of the common man ‘because such men hourly communicate
with the best objects from which the best part of language is originally derived’.

19. What is meant by "metrical composition"?

Ans: "Metrical composition" means poem.

20. What is the main difference between a poet and a common man?
Ans: The main difference between a poet and a common man, according to Wordsworth, is not in
nature, but in degree. A poet is a man who has greater sensibility, imagination, knowledge of human
nature, comprehensiveness, zest for life, and power of communication than a common man.

21. What is ‘organic sensibility’?

Ans: ‘Organic sensibility’ means the capacity of a man to receive and internalize external impressions
through the senses.

22. What is the difference between science and poetry?

Ans: One of the differences between science and poetry is that poetry accommodates everybody but
science accommodates a few.

23. How is poetry superior to science?

Ans: According to Wordsworth, poetry is superior to science because the poet’s appeal is to the
intellect as well as to the heart of man, unlike the appeal of the scientist’s truth which appeals to the
intellect alone.

24. How is poetry compared to human heart?

Ans: Poetry is compared to human heart in respect of their immortality. Wordsworth says that poetry
is as immortal as the heart of man

25. Who is a poet?

Ans: According to Wordsworth, a poet is a man speaking to men.

26. How is the poet 'chiefly distinguished from other men?

Ans: The Poet is chiefly distinguished from other men by a greater promptness to think and feel
without immediate external excitement, and a greater power in expressing such thoughts and feelings
as are produced in him in that manner.
Publication of “preface to lyrical ballads” (1800)
Meaning of preface to “Lyrical Ballads” : Introduction to lyrical ballads

Basic introduction:
Wordsworth’s “Preface to Lyrical Ballads” is a critical document of aiding significance. The
“Lyrical Ballads” was first published in the year 1798 and it introduced the beginning of
romantic age. In the Second Edition of “Lyrical Ballads” (1800) William Wordsworth added
and detailed the ‘preface’. The preface of 1798 was soft, less significant and less poetic. But
the preface of 1800 is meritorious, poetic and significant. Here Wordsworth justified the main
function of poetry.

Why did Wordsworth write the preface?

Wordsworth's critical document ‘Preface to lyrical ballads' was written for numberless
reasons. Some of the reasons are written below –

1. Wordsworth’s friend suggested him to compare a form poetic reply to defend poetry and
to justify the poets. Thus, his preface advocates the true nature of poetic theory. He proved
that the Real Emotion of people can be expressed with the help of real language.
2. He wants to prove that poetry is entirely a natural process. It has no connection with
artificiality. He wants to throw away every artificial thing, in terms of language, harmony of
symbolism.
3. Wordsworth has chosen various aspects of humble and rustic life for a number of reasons.
The reasons are-
(i) In humble and rustic life feelings are freely and frankly expressed.
(ii) In rustic life feelings are simpler and more accurate.
(iii) In “Preface to Lyrical Ballads” Wordsworth tries to prove that feelings are more
important than actions or situations.
(iv) He was to evoke the concept of noble pleasures. He tries to prove poetry and
religion are akin in their nature in many aspects.
Wordsworth's concept of poetry / four stages of poetic creation spontaneous overflow of
powerful feeling / poetry as emotion recollected in tranquillity / function of poetry/ theme
of poetry / Definition of poetry.

Wordsworth expounded his views on poetry, its nature and functions and the qualifications
of a true poet in his “ Preface to the Lyrical Ballads”, published in 1800 and 1802. His earlier
compositions were criticized on the ground of using simple and unsophisticated language. He
has regarded as a poet for the people of humble class. He defended all allegations and proved
that his conception of poetry is acceptable.
Spontaneous overflow of powerful feeling :
As regards to the nature of poetry, the poet clearly states that ‘poetry is spontaneous
overflow of powerful passion'. In other words, poetry proceeds from the internal feeling of
the heart of a poet. It is a matter of feeling mood and temperament. When the mood is on
him, he expresses naturally and effortlessly. Poetry, true poetry cannot be written without
this proper mood and temperament. A poet cannot be requested to write a poem because
poetry comes out voluntarily and willingly. It is said, “the clear springs of poetry must flow
freely and spontaneously it cannot be made through artificially laid pipes”.
Secondly, poetry is a matter of feelings, powerful feelings. It is generated in the heart and not
in the mind. It cannot be considered to be an intellectual process. Poets are gifted with greater
organic sensibility than ordinary individuals. They observe natural beauty in an impressive
way. They have greater capacity to receive impressions. Wordsworth himself was such an
individual whose heart was uplifted with joy after beholding rainbow in the sky or daffodils
dancing in the breeze. He expressed his powerful emotions through many of his remarkable
poems.

Four stages of poetic creation :-

According to Wordsworth good poetry is never an immediate expression of such powerful
emotion. A good poet must meditate and ponder over them deeply. In other words, poetry
has its origin in “emotions recollected in tranquillity”. These are at least four stages through
which a poetic expression has to pass before successful composition. Four stages of creating
process are written below –
Firstly, there is observation or perception of some objects. A poet has to observe a character
or an incident which sets up powerful emotions in his mind. Thus, the uninterrupted
passionate follow of poetic emotion doubtlessly results from his acute power of observation.
Secondly, there is recollection or contemplation of that emotion in tranquillity. At this stage
memory plays a very vital role. An interval of time must eclipse the power of observation.
However, it will remain alive by the power of mind. Mind will work tranquilly and it will store
poetic blazer of different level. In the poem “Tintern Abbey”, Wordsworth visited the banks
of the river Wye firstly in 1793 and then in 1798. There was a gap of five years but the poet
remembered the beautiful scenes of the river wye through the power of contemplation or
recollection.
Thirdly, the interrogation of memory constitutes the third phase of poetic creation. It sets the
poetic emotion properly. It revives the poetic faculty. It will take what a poem should take for
its composition.
Fourthly, the composition of the poem is the last stage of the poetic creation. The poet must
convey his “over balance of pleasure” to other. He will communicate his poetic thoughts to
other. His experience will make the poetic composition extraordinary. He will introduce
metre. The requirement of metre is mandatory in poetry and thus: “verse will be read
hundred times where prose is read only once”.
Function of poetry / poetry its function:
As regards the true function of poetry, Wordsworth tells us that its function is to give
pleasure. Even when the subject is painful itself, it must be treated so lightly that it should
produce ‘over plus of pleasure'. The poet is himself in a state of enjoyment and it is his duty
to communicate his own enjoyment with others. Poetry tells us, “The breath and finer spirit
all knowledge, the impassioned expression that is in the countenance of all science”. To be
incapable of a feeling for poetry, in the true sense of the word, is to be without love of human
nature and reverence for God. Its mission is to “arouse the air sensual from they are sleep of
death”. Poetry must serve the purposes of life and mortality.
Main objects behind composition a poem :
The poetry of the pseudo classical school was very artificial and unnatural. It was extremely
Limited in its themes. It was confined only or exclusively to the city of London. But
Wordsworth disapproved the central subject matter of the new classical genre
1. Wordsworth in his “Preface” pleads that the principle object of poetry
should be the incidents and situation of the common life.
2. A poet should think of using the language of the common people. The
artificial ornament is unrequired in case of composing a genuine poem.
3. The rustic and the humble life have to be studied in the poems. Feelings
and passion of humble humanity have to be introduced.
4. The decency of poetic emotion should be maintained.
5. Finally, the primary law of nature should have to be recorded.
Role and function of a poet / nature of poetic sensibility/ qualification the poet.
Wordsworth’s view of the nature and the function of the poet is an exalted one. He brings
out the individualism of the poet, but at the same time, at every humanity. In the very
beginning, he lays emphasis on his social function that is of communication. First, a poet for
him, is essentially a man speaking to men. He is a person who writes not for his own pleasure,
but primarily to communicate his thoughts and emotions to his readers. He has thus a social
function to perform.
Heightened Sensibility:- A poet is a man who has more lively sensibility, that is to say he
reacts more strongly to external Impressions and so his emotions and passions are more
powerful. He has an uncommon sensibility and this again distinguishes him form the common
run of mankind. He observes more than there is to observe, hears more than there is to hear,
feels more than there is to feel. His sensibility is effectual. It is bound of with our moral nature.
Power of Imagination : A poet is endowed greater Imaginative powers. He can feel and react
emotionally to events and incidents which he has not directly experienced. He is, “affected
by absent things, as if they were present”.
Presence of knowledge : In the “Preface” William Wordsworth highlights the qualification of
a poet and he says that a poet is a human agent enriched with greater knowledge of human
nature. A poet understands the language of emotion and passion. He defines those
passionate language with which, the poet has no direct link.
Zest for Life : A poet has a greater zest for life than an ordinary individual. He has greater
enthusiasm. He rejoices in the working of life in others. He finds true delight in the lap of
nature. He discovers absolute pleasure in communicating his own joy with others.
Reflections : A poet contemplates and reflects his own thoughts for the sake of creating a
poetic piece. This process of reflection purifies the sensation of the poet of all that is painful
and distressing. Therefore, he creates a poem with a balance of pleasure. It is through his
contemplation or reflection that the poem is able to combine one idea to another. It is
through the process of reflection the poet universalizes his personal experiences.
Sincerity : The sincerity of the poet is seen in the care which he takes to revise and perfect his
communication. He is careful to polish and refine his composition & takes infinite pains to
convey his meaning clearly and unambiguously.
Conclusion : In a nutshell, Wordsworth considers a poet essentially a man speaking to men.
The poet no doubt has a heightened power of communication but then the languages which
he uses is both so lively and true as the language of men who have actually experienced these
positions. That’s why a poet should express identical language in order to connect the entire
race of men.
 • Wordsworth’s View on metre / The function of metre / Reasons for Wordsworth’s
defence.
Wordsworth does not consider metre as essential to poetry. He regards it as merely, ‘Pleasure
super added'. But all the same he allows its use. In the ‘Preface' he rejects the use of poetic
diction because it is artificial, capricious and lawless. However he allows the use of metre
because metre obeys definite laws, but Wordsworth says its use is sanctified by tradition and
authority.
The defence of metre is the weakest part of the ‘‘Preface”. It has been pointed out that if
poetic diction is artificial, metre is equally artificial. Wordsworth was conscious about the
contradictory nature of his attitude. Therefore, in the ‘Preface' he gives a more elaborate
defence of metre. The reasons for advancing metre are written below:
1. Firstly, Wordsworth believes that the use of metre is essentially a source of pleasure.
It is, ‘Pleasure super added'.
2. Secondly, in support of his defence of metre Wordsworth appeals to authority and
tradition. He points out that people in all ages and countries have acknowledged the
charm of metrical language and in this respect, he has simply followed tradition.
3. Thirdly, it would not be correct to say that only a very small part of poetic pleasure
depends on metre and that metre must be accompanied with an appropriate poetic
diction.
4. Fourthly, the end of poetry is to produce emotional excitement, an excitement is an
unusual state of mind. In a state of excitement ideas and feelings do not follow each
other in the accustomed order. Sometimes emotional excitement may be too
excessive and some kind of restraining is necessary. Metre has the restraining power.
5. Fifthly, metre is something regular and as the mind is accustomed to it. Its use
introduces an element of the regular and the usual which restrains and softens
unusual mental States.
6. Sixthly, use of metre intermingles the elements of pleasure with the painful.
7. Lastly, the use of metre imparts passions to the words and thus enables the poet to
produce the necessary emotional excitement.
What are the allegations brought against Wordsworth? How does he defend himself?
William Wordsworth started to compose his poem disregarding the trend of neoclassical
School of poetry. He represented the language of the common people to make his poem
realistic. He introduced the natural elements in his poetry to make his poem acceptable.
There lie the grudges of the critics. The critics brought several allegations. Some of the
remarkable allegations are written below.
1. They criticised Wordsworth on the ground of the limited range of his poetry. They
believed that Wordsworth’s poetry was only written for some particular people. The
poems were not written for all the people in general.
2. They alleged Wordsworth for using selected rang of phraseology. His words or
expressions are only meant for a special type of people. His language, the critics
believe, is best understood by him.
3. They tried to defame him by painting that his poems are artificial since his feeling are
ludicrous.
4. The characters of Wordsworth’s poems are also unreal and unworthy.
Defence of Wordsworth: In his ‘Preface' Wordsworth gave befitting reply to the critics.
He frankly asserted that he could not change his language. The poet has more faith in his
language than in the suggestion of the critics. He humorously mentioned that the critics
are not bearing emblems to perfectness. They have many faults to hide. Their words also
play a very little role in his creative way of writing poem.