In this poem the Yew-Tree symbolizes the beauty of nature one should appreciate. Wordsworth tells us that the tree "stands far from all human dwelling" on a beautiful coast that "lull(s) the mind". In the first section of the poem (lines 1-7), the atmosphere is briefly described and in the second part the reaction and feelings of the Traveller are told. The description of the Traveller's feelings toward the nature tells us that he is a man who does not appreciate anything outside of his own being; he is somewhat of an egoist. He is described as "The man, whose eye/ Is ever on himself".
In my own opinion, I relate this man to someone who rejects faith, someone who refuses they need an outside source or higher power to obtain happiness or inner peace. Therefore, the Yew-Tree can be seen as a symbol in which someone can appreciate and have compassion towards (this can be related back to my previous post about Pantheism, where God and Nature are viewed as the same power). I think religion in general is the accepting and believing in a higher power in order to better the quality of one's life. This is a quality the the Traveller does not have.
I have included a picture of a beautiful Yew-Tree in a cemetery, a symbol of God or Nature that most can appreciate. It looks almost magical.
Your picture seems to have disappeared! Is it true that "In the first section of the poem (lines 1-7), the atmosphere is briefly described"? Or is a traveler addressed by... what? an inscription on a bench? You might have paid a little closer attention to the nuances of the text, rather than move so quickly (starting with "In my own opinion") to very general observations about faith. You more or less leave the poem behind at that point, after on;y about 100 words.
ReplyDelete