Tintern Abbey : Summary

Summary

The main summary of this poem is divided into three parts.

• Description of Nature
• The Poet’s Philosophy of Nature
• Address to His Sister Dorothy

Description of Nature: 5 years later, the poet visited Tintern Abbey for the second time. On his way there, he heard the murmuring sound of water from the river Wye. He saw the high mountains. All this affects his mind. Then he sat under the shade of the Sycamore tree and enjoyed the natural beauty of the surroundings. He saw a cottage. A green forest was visible beside him. Different types of raw fruits are held in these trees. Also, the poet sees small rows of trees fenced. And from the valley next to him, he saw smoke. These indicate that the homeless monks are living in seclusion. This rural natural beauty left a deep impression on the poet. In this nature, he enjoys his heart’s delight.

The Poet’s Philosophy of Nature: Five long years after the first departure, the poet did not see this beautiful landscape, but this view of Tintern Abbey did not disappear from his heart. When the poet felt restless in the city’s bustling atmosphere, the memory of this beautiful scene of Tintern Abbey would come to the poet’s mind. It made his heart happy. So the poet feels that nature gives people happiness and peace of mind. Also, nature has the healing power of the heart, which heals people’s sorrows and sufferings. The poet feels that the joy he is enjoying today will be a source of joy not only for the present or today but also in the future for the poet’s sorrowful heart.

Address to His Sister Dorothy: The poet addresses his sister Dorothy asking her to merge with nature. The poet says that the person who loves nature, nature never cheats on him. If you love nature, you will find strange joy and peace in your mind. Sadness, fear, loneliness, and pain will end. At this point, the poet ends the poem by advising his sister to become a Pantheist.

Poet’s view of nature: The poet’s view of nature is divided into three levels in this poem. These are ;

Boyish or Animal Pleasures of Nature: He enjoyed the joy of an animal in nature as a child.

The Physical or Sensuous Beauty of Nature: At this stage, the poet was crazy about the external beauty of nature, i.e., he was fascinated only by the form of nature. But he could not feel the deep philosophy of nature. On his first visit to Tintern Abbey, he was enjoying only the outward beauty of nature.

The Spiritual or Intellectual Beauty of Nature: At this stage, the poet not only enjoys the external beauty of nature but also realizes the hidden meaning of nature. In this place, he feels the presence of God in the midst of nature. He kept thinking about the blue sky, the setting sun, the sea, and the creator living in the human heart. His idea is known as pantheism. That is why Wordsworth was called a Pantheist.