Wordsworth’s use of personification helps to bring objects and the landscape to life in his poetry. For example:
„„‘The river glideth at his own sweet will’ (‘Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802’)
Here, the poet writes about the river as if it had a mind of its own, gliding along at its own pace. This helps us to picture the flow of this body of water.
„„‘One summer evening (led by her) I found/ A little boat tied to a willow tree/ Within a rocky cave, its usual home.’ (‘The Stolen Boat’)
The poet personifies nature as a ‘she’ who has the power to lead him on physical and emotional journeys. The boy also talks about the boat as if it is a person, which helps to convey its significance. Modes of transport are often personified – we frequently refer to cars as ‘he’ or ‘she’, for example, so most of us can identify with this.
„„‘the grim shape/ Towered up between me and the stars, and … Strode after me’ (‘The Stolen Boat’)
The cliffs around the lake are personified as shadowy monsters that seem to be chasing after the boy. This shows how vivid a child’s imagination can be, while also conveying the boy’s feeling of panic at this moment.
