What Does Wordsworth advise His Sister Dorothy in “Tintern Abbey”?

Answer

What does Wordsworth advise his sister Dorothy in “Tintern Abbey”?

The poem “Tintern Abbey” (1798) was one of the nineteen poems that Wordsworth (1770-1850) contributed to Lyrical Ballads (1798). The poem is regarded as a “record of the poet’s growth or his spiritual development.” In the poem, Wordsworth advises his sister Dorothy about nature.

To cultivate friendship: Wordsworth advises his sister Dorothy to cultivate friendship with nature. Because man can betray, nature never can do that. Nature never deceives anyone. As the poet says-

Nature never did betray

The heart the loved her.

According to the poet, Nature offers us a happy frame of mind. We know that troubles and misfortunes visit us, which makes our lives miserable. Nature, as a friend, is very close to our miserable lives. The love of nature fills our minds with joy.

To worship Nature: Wordsworth advises his sister to worship Nature as our spirits are supposed by the struggle of our life. But thus, we can do nothing against us if we worship Nature. For a worshipper of Nature, life is full of joy. Because Nature leads us from joy to joy. So, Wordsworth asks his sister Dorothy to put herself under the eye of Nature. It is in the poet’s tongue –

Therefore, let the moon

Shine on thee in thy solitary walk;

To take Nature as a healer: According to Wordsworth, Nature heals our troubles and sorrows. He advises his sister to take Nature as a healer because Nature removes all kinds of worries and problems.

Finally, we can say that “Tintern Abbey” is a great masterpiece of Wordsworth where he advises his sister as to keep her friendship with Nature. And here in the poem, he discovered the Divine spirit of Nature.