Wordsworth's Daffodils: Themes and Poetic Devices

Daffodils by William Wordsworth

Main Themes

Love of Nature

The poem demonstrates the poet's profound love of nature. He describes the daffodils as "dancing" and the waves as "sparkling". Nature transforms the poet's mood from "lonely" at the poem's start to his heart being "full with pleasure" at the end.

Happiness

Initially, the poet states, "I wandered lonely as a cloud." However, upon seeing the daffodils, he experiences a significant boost of joy. Reflecting on the daffodils later continues to bring the poet great happiness.

Memory

The opening line, "I wandered lonely as a cloud," is in the past tense, indicating the poet is recalling a past event. In the final stanza, the poet describes how the memory of the daffodils causes his "heart with pleasure fill[s]"—it is a cherished memory.

Imagination

He imagines the daffodils as "the stars that shine and twinkle on the milky way." The poet also imagines the waves dancing beside the daffodils: "the waves beside them danced." In the last stanza, the poet remembers the daffodils and imagines he "dances with the daffodils."

Poetic Devices

Personification

"Tossing their heads in sprightly dance." The poet endows the daffodils with human characteristics, suggesting they are living beings tossing their heads and dancing, though this effect is caused by the breeze blowing their heads.

Imagery

"I wandered lonely as a cloud that floats on high o'er vales and hills." Wordsworth uses descriptive language to create a vivid picture of a cloud floating high above valleys and hills, helping the reader visualize the scene.

Alliteration

"And dances with the daffodils." The repetition of the 'd' sound creates a pleasing rhythm for the reader, enhancing the imagery of the dancing daffodils.

Simile

"Continuous as the stars that shine." The poet compares the vast number of daffodils to the stars in the Milky Way. This comparison helps the reader grasp the sheer quantity and perceived beauty of the flowers.

Tone

The tone reflects the poet's feelings during composition and shifts throughout the poem.

• Beginning: "I wandered lonely as a cloud." The initial tone is quite sad and solitary, as the poet compares himself to a single, isolated cloud.
• Shift: Upon seeing "a host of golden daffodils," the tone changes from sadness and loneliness to happiness.
• Conclusion: The poem concludes by confirming his emotional state: "And then my heart with pleasure fills and dances with the daffodils." He is no longer lonely but filled with joy.