Poetry Analysis Quiz: William Wordsworth's Tintern Abbey

The Speaker's Reflections on Nature and Humanity

• The speaker is sitting in a grove, feeling melancholic and introspective, with a mix of pleasant and sad thoughts.
• The speaker believes that Nature has connected with their soul, and this connection grieves them when they think about how humans have treated each other.

The Description of Nature

• The scene is set in a tranquil natural environment, with periwinkle flowers trailing through primrose tufts in a green bower.
• The speaker believes that every flower enjoys the air it breathes, implying a sense of harmony between Nature and its creations.

The Birds and the Speaker's Thoughts

• Birds are present in the scene, hopping and playing around the speaker.
• The speaker cannot fully understand the birds' thoughts, but perceives even their slightest movements as thrills of pleasure.

The Significance of Nature's Beauty

• The budding twigs on the trees spread out to catch the breeze, and the speaker believes that there must be pleasure in this natural scene.
• The speaker questions whether this sense of pleasure is part of Nature's holy plan, and if so, whether they have reason to lament humanity's actions towards each other.