Confinement and freedom are the motifs behind William Wordsworth’s poem, ‘Nuns fret not at their Convent’s narrow room.’ During the first few verses of the poem, Wordsworth compares human beings to their choice of confinement. Nuns to their convent, students to their citadels, and hermits to their cells. However, in line 4 the motif between comparisons change. Instead of a person being in confinement within a room, it is now an object having to do with one’s occupation. Wordsworth uses confinement with, “Maids at the Wheel, the Weaver at his Loom.” What can be thought of in this verse is that it’s a Maids and Weavers job to be at the wheel and Loom; an obligation for compensation. Whereas in the previous lines solitary confinement was by choice. Also in the fifth and sixth line the poet refers to confinement as a sense of freedom. He uses, “Bees that soar for bloom, high as the highest Peak of Furness Fells.” To me a bee soaring in the sky symbolizes freedom yet, all bees return to their hives, their home ,which like a nun’s, is a room. Imagery changes too in the seventh line. Foxglove bells can be vividly depicted by the reader. This particular image of a flower changes the way confinement looks, the poet suggest that it is beautiful.
Throughout the last verses of the poem Wordsworth gives a solution to the negativities of freedom; restriction. He compares his restricted area to a structured sonnet. He then goes on to question other poets whom he refers to as, “Souls,” claiming that there must be some in existence. He suggests that they follow a structured sonnet, like himself, because it’s sure to get rid of writers block, an ordeal many poets and writers often face. The main motif behind Wordsworth’s poem is restriction and everyone should write structured sonnets because freedom only halts a poets capabilities.
I don't think Wordsworth is saying that everyone should write structured sonnets because freedom halts capabilities, but rather he is hoping that there are other poets out there that struggle with free-write and will do better writing when limited in form as he does. It seems to almost be a plea; he is asking for someone else to be out there - "(for such there needs MUST BE)" - who has felt overwhelmed by the endless possibilities at one point, and therefore can "find short solace" - feel guided for a little while at least - in writing a restricted poem in the form of a sonnet. Basically, Wordsworth wants to know he is not the only one out there who is more comfortable writing in sonnet form than free-write, and comforts himself by revealing other professions that are content to be contained.
ReplyDeleteI agree that Wordsworth talks about confinement and freedom within his poem. How Wordsworth defines confinement as a place in the beginning of the poem. By illustrating Nun’s in their convent, Hermits in their cells and students in their citadels which are confined places. I think towards the end of the poem he talks about freedom in writing. How too much freedom can lead to writers block. I agree that there is more of a structure and there is also restriction if you are writing a sonnet. Which for some writers just like Wordsword like to write a Sonnet and stick with a structure than free-writing. It is sometimes good to be within four walls, to not lose any motivation when writing.
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