Why did Wordsworth choose rustic life as his subject matter? (MEG 102) (WILLIAM WORDSWORTH)

William Wordsworth was deeply interested in the lives of ordinary people and the natural world, which he saw as closely intertwined. He believed that by focusing on the experiences of common people and their connection to nature, he could create poetry that spoke to universal themes and emotions.

Wordsworth was particularly drawn to rustic life because he saw it as a way of life that was in harmony with the natural world. He believed that the simple, unadorned lives of rural people represented a kind of purity and authenticity that was lacking in the urbanized, industrialized world of his time. By portraying the lives of rural people in his poetry, Wordsworth sought to capture this sense of simplicity and authenticity and to inspire his readers to appreciate the natural world and the beauty of everyday life.

Wordsworth also saw rustic life as a way of expressing his political and social beliefs. He believed that the lives of rural people were undervalued and overlooked by society, and that their struggles and experiences were just as important and worthy of attention as those of the wealthy and powerful. By portraying the lives of rural people in his poetry, Wordsworth sought to give voice to those who had been marginalized and to challenge the social and political hierarchies of his time.

Overall, Wordsworth's choice of rustic life as his subject matter reflected his deep interest in the natural world, his commitment to social justice, and his belief in the power of poetry to express universal human experiences and emotions.