How does Wordsworth appear as a poet of the common man in his “Preface to Lyrical Ballads?”

Answer

How does Wordsworth appear as a poet of the common man in his “Preface to Lyrical Ballads?”

Or, How does Wordsworth appear as a mouthpiece of the plebeian in his “Lyrical Ballads?”  

William Wordsworth (1770-1850) wrote the “Preface to Lyrical Ballads” (1800) to share his ideas about poetry. In this preface, he did not speak only for the rich or the educated. He spoke for the simple, village people. He believed poetry should be for everyone. It should not be just for high-class people. He wanted to show the real life of common men in his poems. That is why Wordsworth is called the poet of the common man and the voice of the plebeian.

Simple Language: Wordsworth says poetry must use everyday language. Unlike old poets who used fancy words, he writes as common people speak. This makes poetry easy to understand. He believes deep emotions are best expressed in simple words. When a shepherd or farmer reads his poems, they should feel connected. His goal is to remove the gap between poets and ordinary readers. The poet says,

“My purpose was to imitate, and as far as possible, to adopt the very language of men.”

Rural Life and Ordinary People: Wordsworth chooses the village people and nature as his main topics. He thinks city life is artificial, but rural life is pure and honest. Farmers, beggars, and children appear in his poems. Their struggles and joys reflect real human emotions. Unlike earlier poets who wrote about kings, he finds beauty in ordinary lives. This makes him a true poet of the poor and working class.

Close to Nature: Wordsworth thought that common people in the countryside were close to nature. Their life was simple and pure. Nature taught them many lessons. They lived with rivers, trees, and hills. That is why their emotions were deep and true. Wordsworth loved this life. He believed that poetry should reflect this natural way of living. His poems showed this connection. In this way, he gave importance to rural