NCERT Solutions for Class 11 English Poetry 5: The World Is Too Much with Us

The poet is disturbed by the consumerism and materialism which is brought to us by industrialisation. The world is bound with humanity where the people are busy “getting and spending”. He conveys that humanity has wonderful powers which are being laid waste. The heart of mankind is given away to this blessing which is destructive, called a ‘sordid boon’, an oxymoron. The poet decides to become a Pagan and prays to God. People of South Europe, who were called Pagans, were rural folks or rustics and were not worshippers of a monotheistic God. The poet admires the tradition of the Pagans and perceives that being close to nature is one among them. He aspires to feed on and relish the admirable beauty of nature. He wishes to enjoy the lea by standing on it so that his feeling of loneliness would reduce. He plans to have glimpses of the countryside and taste the rustic and rural life that the Pagans live. He wants to go back in time so that he might see “The Old Man of the Sea”, Proteus, who rises from the sea. He also wants to see “The Messenger of the Sea”, Triton, who is the son of Poseidon. The poet wishes to be in harmony with nature.

The poet always wished to be close to nature. Whether in his The Tables Turned or Tintern Abbey, he has described the beauty of nature. His “The World is too Much With Us” explains the criticism of humanity, which is distanced from nature. The materialistic reliance on “getting and spending” that industrialisation has brought to us is referred to as a “sordid boon”, which is a contradiction. Wordsworth talks about the past and future worlds, “late and soon”. He is not happy as mankind has given its heart to this destructive blessing. This industrial revolution is considered a boon, but the poet condemns it deeply. We don’t see “the nature that is ours”. The poet appreciates the beauty of nature. He explains, “The sea that bares her bosom to the moon”. The attractiveness of the light-reflecting waters, which are mirthful, appears to be magnificent. The poet talks about the wild wind which gathers above the sleeping flowers. However, he explains the loss and suffering due to mechanical advancement which occurs in our society. The poet mourns how humanity is ‘out of tune’ and aspires to become a Pagan to get glimpses of nature’s beauty.