Erin Joslin
"The Child is Father of the Man"
EN 201.03 Major Writers: English Literature
Summary:
A common belief among authors and poets especially is that children possess certain wisdom and knowledge that adults don't have, or rather lose while growing up. Some may argue that this knowledge is simply ignorance and childhood innocence that allows children to see things differently than most "cynical" adults. The simple, carefree mind of children allows them to understand things grown-ups have lost touch with, they grasp more about the world and life. Children possess an instinctive knowledge, they are seemingly natural philosophers who understand the connection between nature and the supernatural, the contiuum of life and death, and have the imagination necessary to see things adults don't. In poems by Wordsworth such as
"Lucy Gray", "My Heart Leaps Up", "We are Seven" and "Ode: Intimations of Immortality"
the idea that the child is the father of the man is clearly developed. The wisdom of the child and their carefree nature inspires the man and the character formed as a child somewhat dictates the man you become. Unfortunately, many people feel that we are all born with a primal sympathy and understanding that we lose as we grow older. Daily life makes us forget all that we know as children as we forget our authentic self and begin playing a part. We are born with wisdom and lose it as we grow old, no one can hold on to it or return to it.
Please answer the following to the best of your ability:
1. The child is the father of
2. Who has more wisdom, children or adults?
3. Which of the following are poems by Wordsworth that exemplify this idea of childhood wisdom? (check all that apply)
"Lucy Gray"
"The Road Not Taken"
"My Heart Leaps Up"
"To lose one�s faith surpasses"
"Ode: Intimations of Immortality"
"We are Seven"
4. Children are considered natural philosphers because: (check all that apply)
understand the connection between nature and the supernatural
possess and instinctive knowledge
understand the continuum of life and death
unable to differentiate between reality and imagination
possess the imagination necessary to see things adults don't
5. As we grow older we lose touch with certain aspects of life and no longer have the instinctive knowledge we possessed as children.
True
False
6. What makes adults forget all they know as children?
They become too busy to think deeply about things
They gain new wisdom that is more important than that of a child
Daily life; forget authentic self and play a part to fit in
Adult brains develop so much from childhood that it is simple lost
7. Do you think you have more wisdom now than you did as a child?
Yes, I've gained a lot over the years
No, I wish I know now what I knew then
I feel I have a different type of wisdom now
About the same amount
8. Do you feel that the innocence of the child is taken for granted and we should learn a lot from children?
Yes, I wish I could see things the way children do
No, I think we appreciate carefree attitude of children
Children aren't as innocent as they are ignorant
Not sure how I feel about this
9. Explain an instance in your life that things would have been easier to deal with if you were a child (i.e. could see things in a less complicated light):
10. Explain an instance in your life that things would have been harder to deal with if you were a child (i.e.couldn't understand things at a complex level):