Discuss Wordsworth’s attitude towards childhood as revealed in the “Immortality Ode.”

Answer

How does Wordsworth glorify childhood in his poems?

Or, discuss Wordsworth’s attitude towards childhood as revealed in the “Immortality Ode.” 

William Wordsworth (1770-1850) is one of the greatest Romantic poets. He believed that childhood was a special and sacred time in life. In many of his poems, he glorifies childhood by describing it as a period of innocence, wonder, and deep connection to nature and the divine. Here we will discuss Wordsworth’s attitude toward childhood in his major poems: “Ode: Intimations of Immortality,” “Tintern Abbey,” and “It is a Beauteous Evening, Calm and Free.”

Childhood as a Time of Divine Connection: In “Ode: Intimations of Immortality” (1807), Wordsworth believes that children are closest to heaven because their souls come from a divine place before birth. He says that when we are born, we bring “clouds of glory” with us from heaven. The poet says:

“Heaven lies about us in our infancy!”

As children, we can see the world in a pure and heavenly way. Children can see the world with a sense of wonder and joy. Wordsworth writes that children can feel the presence of God in nature. However, as people grow up, they lose this heavenly vision because life becomes more about daily routines and struggles.

Memories of Childhood: Wordsworth emphasizes how childhood memories stay with us throughout life. Even though adults lose the pure vision they had as children, the memories of their childhood give them strength and hope. In “Ode: Intimations of Immortality,” the speaker remembers that, when he was a child, he saw the whole world shining with heavenly beauty. He wonders where that beauty has gone now he is an adult. The speaker says:

“What though the radiance which was once so bright

Be now for ever taken from my sight,”

He concludes that he can still find heavenly beauty in his memories of childhood:

“We will grieve not, rather find

Strength in what remains behind.”