Chapter 11

Composed Upon Westminster


►► Very Short Type Questions & Answers:

1. What type of poem is 'Composed Upon Westminster Bridge'?

Ans: It is a Petrarchan (Italian) sonnet.

2. Which city is the poet describing?

Ans: London.

3. What does the city wear "like a garment"?

Ans: The beauty of the morning.

4. Who would be "dull of soul" according to the poet?

Ans: Someone who cannot appreciate the beauty of the scene.

5. What literary device is used in "the very houses seem asleep"?

Ans: Personification.

►► Short Type Questions & Answers:

1. Explain the significance of the phrase "like a garment" in the poem. How does this metaphor contribute to the overall meaning?

Ans: The phrase "like a garment" in 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge' is a powerful metaphor that enhances the poem's depiction of London's early morning beauty. By comparing the city to a person clothed in the morning's light, Wordsworth suggests a transformation, as if London has been momentarily purified and adorned by nature. This imagery softens the usual perception of an industrial city, presenting it instead as something organic and harmonious with the natural world.

The metaphor also implies a temporary state, reinforcing the idea that this beauty is fleeting. Just as clothing can be changed, the peaceful and radiant London of dawn will soon give way to the hustle and bustle of daily life. This aligns with the poem's theme of capturing a rare, tranquil moment in an otherwise busy metropolis. Additionally, the phrase evokes a sense of reverence, as if the city is dressed in sacred or regal attire, elevating its status beyond mere architecture to something almost divine.

Overall, this metaphor contributes to the poem's celebration of unexpected beauty, showing that even a great city, often associated with noise and industry, can possess a quiet, natural elegance at the right moment.

2. What is the effect of the exclamation "Dear God!" in the poem? How does it reflect the poet's emotions?

Ans: The exclamation "Dear God!" in 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge' is a moment of profound emotional intensity, reflecting Wordsworth's overwhelming awe and reverence for the beauty he witnesses. This sudden invocation of the divine suggests that the poet is almost spiritually moved by the scene before him. It emphasizes that the quiet, radiant London of the early morning is not just pleasing to the eye but deeply stirring to the soul.

This exclamation also reinforces the idea that the beauty of the city at dawn is unexpected and almost miraculous. Wordsworth, a poet known for his love of nature, finds himself astonished by the grandeur of an urban landscape, a setting usually associated with human industry rather than natural beauty. The phrase acts as a spontaneous outburst of admiration, highlighting the sincerity of his response.

Additionally, "Dear God!" elevates the moment beyond mere description, suggesting a sense of gratitude or even worship. It aligns with the Romantic belief that beauty-whether in nature or, in this rare case, the city can inspire deep, spiritual reflection. By including this exclamation, Wordsworth conveys that this fleeting vision of London's stillness is something sacred and unforgettable.

► Long Type Questions & Answers:

1. Explore the role of light in the poem and its impact on Wordsworth's vision of London.

Ans: In 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge', light plays a significant role in shaping Wordsworth's vision of London, transforming the city from a mundane, industrial space into an extraordinary and sublime landscape. The role of light in the poem is essential in conveying a sense of purity, tranquility, and awe, central to Wordsworth's Romantic ideals.

The poem's setting is early morning, when the city is bathed in the soft, golden light of the rising sun. Wordsworth describes this light as "the beauty of the morning; silent, bare," which emphasizes its delicate, ethereal quality. The morning light acts as a purifier, cleansing the city of its usual associations with noise, smog, and chaos. In this quiet moment, London is illuminated in a way that reveals its inherent majesty, as if the city were glowing with an unearthly, almost spiritual radiance. This light reveals the true beauty of the city, allowing Wordsworth to perceive it not just as a human-made construct but as a harmonious extension of nature.

The light also symbolizes clarity and transcendence. Romantic poets often used light to represent moments of insight or spiritual elevation.

For Wordsworth, the clear light of dawn brings a sense of purity and truth, offering a new perspective on the city. The light enhances the stillness and silence of the scene, making the city appear timeless and untainted by the rush of everyday life. The sunlight reflects off the buildings and the Thames, making the city appear "all bright and glittering in the smokeless air," as though it were an idealized, almost heavenly version of itself. This is a sharp contrast to the dark, polluted image that many might associate with London, showing how light can reveal a more harmonious, sublime vision.

Moreover, the light ties the human-made city to the natural world. The sun, a natural force, interacts with the city's architecture and river, blending the two realms in a moment of beauty. In Romanticism, the connection between the human and the natural world is often a source of spiritual insight, and in this poem, the light reflects this unity.

Overall, light in 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge' amplifies the poem's themes of purity, beauty, and transcendence. It transforms London from a common, everyday city into a sublime, awe-inspiring landscape, allowing Wordsworth to experience it as both a work of nature and human achievement. This light reinforces the Romantic belief in finding beauty and inspiration in unexpected places, elevating the urban scene to the realm of the sublime.

2. How does Wordsworth's portrayal of London in 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge' reflect Romantic ideals?

Ans: William Wordsworth's 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge' September 3, 1802 reflects key Romantic ideals through its depiction of London as a place of sublime beauty, harmony, and deep emotional resonance. Unlike the typical Romantic focus on untamed Wordsworth finds poetic inspiration in an urban landscape, yet he presents the city as if it were part of nature itself-silent, tranquil, and bathed in the soft morning light.

A central Romantic ideal in the poem is the concept of the sublime, a feeling of awe and reverence in response to natural or extraordinary beauty. Wordsworth describes London in the early morning as "a sight so touching in its majesty," elevating the city to a near-spiritual experience. The stillness of dawn transforms the city into something pure and almost divine, free from the noise and industrial activity that would otherwise characterize urban life. This reflects the Romantic belief in transcendent experiences that elevate the soul beyond ordinary existence.

Another key Romantic theme is the deep emotional connection between the individual and the external world. Wordsworth does not merely describe London; he experiences it with profound sensitivity, as seen in lines like "Dear God! the very houses seem asleep." The personification of the city emphasizes its organic quality, aligning it with nature rather than industry. The poem suggests that beauty and peace are not exclusive to the countryside but can be found anywhere if one looks with a receptive heart an idea central to Romanticism.

Furthermore, Wordsworth's focus on the momentary and ephemeral aligns with the Romantic fascination with fleeting beauty. The serene vision of London at dawn is temporary, a rare moment of unity between human creation and nature. This emphasis on the transient but deeply moving aspects of experience reflects the Romantic ideal of capturing intense personal emotions in poetry.

Ultimately, 'Composed upon Westminster Bridge' embodies Romantic ideals by portraying an emotional and spiritual response to beauty, blurring the line between nature and the human-made world, and celebrating the individual's ability to find awe in unexpected places.