Justify the sub-title of The Prelude as 'Growth of a Poet's mind'. (MEG 102) (UNIT 13 THE PRELUDE BOOK.1)

The sub-title of Wordsworth's long autobiographical poem, The Prelude, is "Growth of a Poet's Mind". This title is justified by the fact that the poem traces the development of Wordsworth's mind and his growth as a poet. The poem describes Wordsworth's early childhood experiences, his education, his travels, his political beliefs, his encounters with nature, his love affairs, and his literary aspirations. Through all these experiences, we see the poet's mind growing and developing.

In the opening section of the poem, Wordsworth describes his childhood experiences in the Lake District, where he was born and raised. He reflects on the beauty of the natural world and the sense of wonder and enchantment that it instilled in him as a child. He also describes his experiences at school and university, which he found to be stifling and uninspiring. However, even during this period of his life, Wordsworth's mind was growing and developing as he began to reject the artificiality of academic learning and instead turned to the study of nature and human experience.

The middle sections of the poem describe Wordsworth's travels through Europe, his political beliefs, and his encounters with other poets and writers. During this period, Wordsworth's mind was exposed to new ideas, new cultures, and new literary traditions. He became politically engaged, sympathizing with the French Revolution and later becoming disillusioned with its excesses. He also became friends with other poets such as Coleridge, who had a profound influence on his writing.

The final sections of the poem describe Wordsworth's return to the Lake District, his marriage, and his continuing work as a poet. In these sections, we see Wordsworth's mind reaching its full maturity as a poet. He reflects on the nature of poetry and its relationship to the natural world, and he explores the idea of the poet as a visionary and a seer. Through all these experiences, we see Wordsworth's mind growing and developing, and we come to understand why the sub-title of the poem is so apt.

In conclusion, the sub-title of The Prelude, "Growth of a Poet's Mind," is entirely justified. The poem traces the development of Wordsworth's mind and his growth as a poet, as he moves from childhood innocence to mature wisdom. Through the course of the poem, we see Wordsworth's mind expanding and deepening, as he explores the complexities of the human experience and the relationship between human beings and the natural world.