In one of the poems out of his “Lyrical Ballads” dating from 1800, William Wordsworth depicts the life and its meaning of “The Old Cumberland Beggar”. Using the narrative flow of a lyrical I, the poem accentuates the beggar’s closeness to nature, the emotions he evokes in people and the demand to preserve his freedom. The paramount statement it conveys however is the beggar’s value for other people.
Starting with a portrayal of the beggar’s appearance over the first 21 lines, it moves on to indicate people’s sympathetic attitude towards him. The long middle passage stretching from line 67 to line 154 deals with the worth the beggar possesses and what he gives to society. Its language is more sophisticated than the beginning and the end of the poem and will also be central for this analysis. Eventually, the poem concludes with the reward which the beggar earns for the social function he fulfils.
The guiding question to be followed throughout this analysis will be in which way Wordsworth implies social criticism in connection with the function of the beggar. The starting point in order to trace all of the aspects mentioned above will be the poem’s formal structure.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Formal Structure and Language
- The Lyrical I
- Social Criticism
- The Beggar as a Symbolical Figure
- The French Revolution and its Leitmotifs
- The Idea of Brotherhood
Objectives and Key Themes
This analysis aims to explore the social criticism embedded in William Wordsworth's "The Old Cumberland Beggar." Through an examination of the poem's formal structure, language, and the character of the beggar, we will delve into the author's perspective on poverty, social responsibility, and the importance of human dignity. Key themes of the poem include:- Social Criticism: Wordsworth's critique of social structures, particularly the workhouses and the treatment of the poor.
- The Value of the Beggar: Examining the beggar's role in society, his connection to nature, and the impact he has on those who encounter him.
- Humanity and Charity: Exploring the motivations behind acts of charity and the importance of genuine compassion for others.
- Freedom and Dignity: Wordsworth's emphasis on the individual's right to live with freedom and dignity, even amidst poverty.
- The French Revolution: Analyzing the influence of the French Revolution's ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity on the poem's themes and structure.
Chapter Summaries
- Introduction: Introduces the poem "The Old Cumberland Beggar" and its focus on the beggar's life and value. It outlines the poem's structure, language, and the guiding question of social criticism.
- Formal Structure and Language: Examines the poem's division into stanzas and its two distinct language levels: a simple language for the beginning and end, and a more complex language for the middle section. This section highlights how language choice contributes to the poem's message.
- The Lyrical I: Discusses the role of the unnamed narrator in the poem, their connection to the beggar, and their desire to convey the beggar's value and inspire readers to act with charity.
- Social Criticism: Analyzes Wordsworth's critique of workhouses and institutionalization through the poem's language and structure. It explores the tension between a life of security and a life of liberty, as exemplified in the beggar's situation.
- The Beggar as a Symbolical Figure: Examines the beggar as a symbol of all beggars and their role in society. This section highlights the beggar's ability to create acts of charity and bind the community together.
- The French Revolution and its Leitmotifs: Connects the poem's themes with the ideals of the French Revolution: liberty, equality, and fraternity. It explores how the poem addresses these ideas through the beggar's story.
- The Idea of Brotherhood: Investigates the concept of brotherhood in the context of the poem, examining how it is expressed through acts of charity and the interactions between the beggar and the villagers. It questions whether such acts are genuinely motivated by compassion or simply a way to appease one's conscience.
Keywords
The key concepts explored in "The Old Cumberland Beggar" include social criticism, poverty, charity, freedom, dignity, the French Revolution, liberty, equality, fraternity, human compassion, and the role of the beggar in society. These keywords represent the core themes and focuses of the poem, revealing the author's complex and nuanced perspective on these issues.- Arbeit zitieren
- Arndt Schmidt (Autor:in), 2006, About "The Old Cumberland Beggar" - An Essay on William Wordsworth, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/189026
