Dramatic Situation

Speaker: Wordsworth, the poet/author
Speaking To: himself, others, nature
What are the Circumstances: He is standing somewhere out in nature just enjoying it, and looks to the sky to see a rainbow! The author feels overjoyed at this simple, but beautiful natural event.
How does this affect our understanding: The poet simply feels that although many joys of life and love may be found in the city, having a true love and devotion to nature has been the most important to him. It has never failed to bring him joy, amazement or inspiration.

Tone

-funny rhyme�
      A B C C A B D E
-contains a paradox in line 7 "the childd is the father of the man�"
-'natural piety' means 'devotion to natuure'
-symbolism-rainbow can mean hope, promisse or a fulfilled dream. Some cultures believe it to be a bridge to the afterlife; for dead heroes to cross back into the world of the living; or a 'Sky Warrior."
-ROMANTICISM�the romantic ages' obsessioon (it seems) for writing with passion and love of nature (perfect example)

Theme

      The theme suggested by the text book is OUR LIVING EARTH, which is probably the best for this poem. Wordsworth, as in all his poems, is commenting on the pure, simple beauty of nature, and how he is overjoyed to see its magic played out in front of him. The poem's hardest part is the paradox "the child is the father of the man" meaning that children (who seem to notice every detail) can sometimes remind us, if not show us more, about the world we sometimes rush past. Especially in today's fast paced world, its easy to forget to�well, slow down and smell the roses! (or look at the rainbow). Kids, however, never fail to do so. They can teach us a lot. The point is, Wordsworth is seeing nature as if he were a child again, and it makes him SO HAPPY to see the natural wonders of the world, rather than the man made ones.