Themes and Symbolism in V. S. Naipaul's B. Wordsworth

Themes in V. S. Naipaul's B. Wordsworth

In B. Wordsworth by V. S. Naipaul, the narrative encompasses themes of admiration, identity, curiosity, friendship, control, freedom, uncertainty, and coming of age. Narrated in the first person by an unnamed male, the story serves as a memory piece. Upon reading, the reader realizes that Naipaul emphasizes the theme of admiration; the narrator appears to admire Wordsworth, though the reality may be that Wordsworth is not necessarily who he claims to be.

The Mystery of the Poet

Wordsworth suggests he is writing the greatest poem in the world; however, as the story progresses, he admits to the narrator that no such poem exists. It is also significant that Wordsworth denies the story about the girl poet, as the reality may be that she was his wife, and her sudden loss is something he never overcame. As a young man with a promising future, his life became one of profound loneliness following her death. It is possible that his wife was his primary inspiration and that he has not written any poetry since her passing.

Curiosity and Control

Wordsworth remains a curiosity to the narrator, who is intrigued by a life completely different from his own. While the narrator’s life is strictly controlled by his mother, he feels a sense of freedom when he is with Wordsworth.

Symbolism and Nature

Wordsworth’s instruction to the narrator to drop the pin in the water is symbolically important:

• The Pin: The narrator expects the pin to float, but it sinks. Naipaul uses this to highlight the uncertainty of life and the reality that nobody knows what will happen, teaching the narrator to learn from his mistakes.
• The Garden: The narrator notices that after Wordsworth’s death, his home has been demolished and the garden replaced by concrete. This highlights the importance of nature in a person’s life and the need to take time to enjoy the natural world, just as the characters did together.