Analysis
The purpose of 'She Was a Phantom of Delight' was to describe a ghostly woman that William saw. He was explaining the certain womanly features she possessed that caused him to become attracted to her. By explaining in detail of the ghostly woman he saw he gave off a romantic vibe for the poem. Using literary devices such as assonance, metaphor, and personification helped to showcase how delighted and stunned William was of the woman's beauty. This also caused the reader to become happy and delighted after reading the poem. This poem is part of the romantic era because of the romantic language and the display of strong emotions such as love and the affection William has towards her. |
Literary Devices
Assonance- "Delight-Sight", "Skill-Will", and "Drawn-Dawn" are all examples of assonance. Picking these word pairs to use helped to portray William's mood of being amazed and surprised as seeing a ghostly woman. These words not only aided his mood but also the tone of the poem making the reader feel happy and cheerful from William being love struck. Metaphor- A metaphor used in this poem would be "She Was a Phantom of Delight". This metaphor explains how the poet was feeling when he saw her and of how he thinks of her by comparing her to something delightful. Personification- "The very pulse of the machine" is an example of personification. With using personification William was trying to say with his clear eyesight that the woman he is describing is not a ghost but is actually alive and breathing. |
Poem
She Was a Phantom of Delight BY WILLIAM WORDSWORTH She was a Phantom of delight When first she gleamed upon my sight; A lovely Apparition, sent To be a moment's ornament; Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair; Like Twilight's, too, her dusky hair; But all things else about her drawn From May-time and the cheerful Dawn; A dancing Shape, an Image gay, To haunt, to startle, and way-lay. I saw her upon nearer view, A Spirit, yet a Woman too! Her household motions light and free, And steps of virgin-liberty; A countenance in which did meet Sweet records, promises as sweet; A Creature not too bright or good For human nature's daily food; For transient sorrows, simple wiles, Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles. And now I see with eye serene The very pulse of the machine; A Being breathing thoughtful breath, A Traveller between life and death; The reason firm, the temperate will, Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill; A perfect Woman, nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and command; And yet a Spirit still, and bright With something of angelic light. |
Romanticism
The movement Romanticism was considered to be the largest artistic movement during the 18th century. It originated in Europe during that time period but the era didn't fully grab people's attention until between the 1800's-1850's. This movement was at first just a reaction to the Industrial Revolution and a revolt against the Age of Enlightenment. With influences such as William Wordsworth, Edgar Allan Poe, and John Keats it transformed into more than just an artistic movement but a literary and philosophical one as well.The large spread of ideas influenced other movements such Surrealism and French symbolism.