The Daffodils: Themes

The Daffodils: Analysis: Themes

Key Themes:-

Nature as a source of beauty and energy

Like many of Wordsworth's poems, Daffodils, too, revolves around nature. Nature is presented as a source of boundless beauty and abundant energy. The daffodils are so beautiful that the poet is mesmerized by them and cannot stop gazing at them. In addition, the flowers radiate energy as they dance and sparkle, and this rubs off on the poet.

Nature as a healer

Nature is also presented as a healer. In the initial part of the poem the poet is lonely as he wanders on his own. But as he comes across the daffodils beside the lake, his spirits rise and he becomes cheerful.

Similarly, even the memory of the beautiful sights of nature are said to have healing powers. The poet explains how the memory of the daffodils by the lake uplifts his spirit and makes his heart dance. They give him the much-needed boost to continue with life.

Humans as part of nature

Another theme of the poem is how humans are an intrinsic part of nature.

In the initial stanza, Wordsworth likens himself to a lonely cloud. That is, he gives himself the quality of a non-human object. Later, when he discovers the daffodils, he personifies them when he talks about them 'fluttering and dancing in the breeze' and 'tossing their heads in sprightly dance". Wordsworth uses this approach to highlight human beings' oneness with nature.