What does Wordsworth advise his sister in “Tintern Abbey”?
Introduction
The poem “Tintern Abbey” was one of the nineteen poems that Wordsworth (1776-1850) contributed to Lyrical Ballads (1798). The poem is regarded as a “record of the poet’s growth or his spiritual development”. In the poem, Wordsworth advises his sister Dorothy about nature.
Wordsworth advises his sister
Click here: For all notes of poetry
To cultivate friendship
Wordsworth advises his sister Dorothy to cultivate friendship because although man can betray Nature cannot do it. In fact, Nature never deceives anyone. As the poet says-
“Nature never did betray
The heart the loved her.”
According to the poet, Nature offers us a happy frame of mind. We know that troubles and misfortunes visit us which make our life miserable. And Nature as a friend is very cool in our miserable life. Because the love of nature fills our mind with joy.
To worship Nature
Wordsworth advises his sister to worship Nature. As our spirits are supposed by the struggle of our life. But this can do nothing against us if we worship Nature. For a worshipper of Nature, life is full of joy. Because Nature leads us from joy to joy. That is why Wordsworth asks his sister Dorothy to put herself under the eye of Nature. It is in the poet’s tongue –
“Therefore let the moon
Shine on thee in thy solitary walk;”
To take Nature as a healer
Nature heals our troubles and sorrows in accordance with Wordsworth. And that is why Wordsworth advises her to take Nature as a healer. Because Nature removes all kinds of worries and troubles.
Click here: For all notes of Tintern Abbey
Conclusion
Finally, we can say that “Tintern Abbey” is a great masterpiece of Wordsworth where he advises his sister as to Nature. And here in the poem, he discovered the Divine spirit of Nature.
