🧾 Detailed Summary:

Theme:
Wordsworth laments the loss of humanity’s spiritual connection with nature. In this sonnet, he condemns materialism and industrialization, which have led to emotional and moral decay. Nature is vibrant, divine, and nurturing, but people are no longer moved by it.

Tone:

• Angry

• Mournful

• Longing

Mood:

• Reflective

• Disillusioned

• Romantic yearning

Message:
The poet urges a return to nature and spirituality, even if it means embracing ancient, “outworn” beliefs. He believes that myths and natural reverence offer more meaning than modern materialism.

Style & Devices Used:

• Personification: Sea, moon, winds as female or living beings

• Alliteration: “Getting and spending”

• Imagery: “Sea that bares her bosom,” “wreathed horn”

• Classical allusion: Proteus, Triton

• Metaphor: “We have given our hearts away” = losing emotional/spiritual connection

• Petrarchan sonnet structure: Octave + Sestet (Volta or shift in line 9)

✅ Ideal for WB SLST 2025:

This poem is a powerful Romantic critique of modern life and supports Wordsworth’s larger poetic vision — “return to nature.” For WB SLST, it can be tested through:

• MCQs (on themes/devices)

• Reference to context (RTC)

• Central idea and poet’s opinion