‘Death of a Naturalist’ Compared to ‘The Prelude’
Plot Messsage
Similarities Differences
Both looking back at P - No dramatic turning point.
childhood There is only a slight sense of
“melancholy”, when
Both about the countryside Wordsworth realises that he
won’t be able to recapture his
Both positive memories - youth
childhood activities
D of N - Resembles the poets
growing up and losing his love
for nature
P - Winter
D of N - Spring/Summer
Language
Similarities Differences
Both give vivid imagery of D of N - Army imagery -
nature, animals, seasons negative - “grenades” - violent
and the country side effect
Both use onomatopoeia, D of N - The Irish colloquial
such as: D of N - Gargling language, for example:
and P - “Hissed” “mammy”, shows that he was
young.
P - Remains positive
throughout the poem, with only
a slight sense of sadness after
line 13 of the poem
Context
Similarities Differences Similarities Differences
Both refer to how D of N - As we grow older we Both poets grew up P - Romantic movement -
wonderful childhood understand more of the world - in the countryside - power of imagination
was: children are free. see the ‘ugly’ part of nature Autobiographical
P - 1898
Loss of childhood P - We can’t recapture, go back, Both wrote as adults D of N - 1966
innocence to our youth
Both inspired by P - Lake District
Appreciation of nature D of N - Innocence is lost as we their past D of N - Rural Ireland
grow up experiences
Structure Tone
Similarities Differences Similarities Differences
Both is chronological D of N - Longer 1st stanza as he Both show sadness D of N - Peaceful at the
order - just like a is more passionate about nature of their youth fading start and then it is
memory when he was younger; but the - loss of innocence aggressive at the end
2nd stanza is shorted to symbolising the loss of
Both use enjambment resemble the loss of innocence Both celebrate innocence
- freedom - nature
excitement P - Snapshot of happiness - no P - Tranquil throughout the
change poem
D of N - Blank Verse - line 21 “in
rain” - symbolises that change is
about to come and it is a
metaphor for the rain washing
away innocence