The Common Theme of Daffodils: A Tale of Nature and Transformation

In the exploration of the common theme of daffodils, two distinct poems, "The Daffodils" by William Wordsworth and "Miracle On St David's Day" by Gillian Clarke, converge despite their temporal separation by two centuries. Written at the end of the eighteenth century and the last decade of the 20th century, respectively, these poems share a fascination with the extraordinary, particularly in the transformative power of nature and the human psyche.

William Wordsworth, despite never having beheld the daffodils he describes, demonstrates a remarkable ability to weave the details into a poetic tapestry.

His poem unfolds as a celebration of a beautiful scene, exclaiming, "what wealth the show to me had brought," inviting readers to share in the beauty he envisions. The initial loneliness expressed in the first four lines contrasts with the subsequent joy, mirroring the solitude experienced by the speaker in "Miracle On St David's Day," where amidst flowers and mentally ill patients, a connection is found. The lonely, silent laborer, depressed and disconnected, experiences a revival as the sight of "golden flowers" triggers a therapeutic flashback.

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Structurally, the poems diverge. Wordsworth's work is tightly organized, featuring four stanzas with a regular rhyme scheme and eight-syllable lines. In contrast, Clarke's poem unfolds in seven five-line stanzas with varying line lengths, eschewing deliberate rhyme schemes. The deliberate use of enjambment and a final section with three lines adds to the varied structure.

While Wordsworth's poem emphasizes the poet's powerful imagination in creating mental images, Clarke's work centers around a collective experience involving numerous individuals.

The satisfaction Wordsworth derives from recreating mental images fills his heart with pleasure, whereas Clarke's interest lies in the transformative power of poetry for others.

In "The Daffodils," Wordsworth recounts an imaginary walk, metaphorically floating above the countryside. He vividly describes the location, density of daffodils, and personifies them, noting how they dance in the breeze. The impact of these golden flowers extends beyond the poet's heart, influencing the surrounding nature. Unaware of the lasting impact at the time, Wordsworth revisits the imaginary scene in the future, drawing strength and happiness from it.

Clarke's poem, in contrast, reflects on a poetry reading and the blurred line between sanity and insanity. Nature, including trees and daffodils, is compared to human beings, with vivid descriptions of mentally afflicted individuals. The powerful, silent laborer, initially intimidating, undergoes a remarkable transformation, cured by the poetry he hears and compelled to speak after decades of silence. Throughout the poem, the daffodils seem to supervise this recovery, turning to flame as the sick man experiences healing.

Tone varies between the two poems. Wordsworth's is consistently happy and uplifting, while Clarke's initially cautious tone evolves into wonder before the poem concludes. Wordsworth's mood exudes delight, while Clarke's progresses from unease to increasing awareness. The atmosphere in Wordsworth's poem is quick and heaven-like, making it difficult to leave the enchanting scene, as expressed in the line, "I gazed and gazed." In contrast, Clarke's poem relies on the tension between images of imprisonment and freedom, particularly evident in the fifth stanza.

Both poems elevate natural imagery, portraying sparkle, color, and warmth. While Wordsworth maintains a constant sense of beauty, Clarke introduces a contrast with images of "the insane." The pace in both poems varies, with "The Daffodils" showcasing a regular pattern and constant rhythm, and "Miracle On St David's Day" following an irregular pace dependent on the narrative. Language in both works fits their respective contexts, with Wordsworth employing typical early nineteenth-century language, and Clarke's language clearly belonging to the twentieth century. Both benefit from the use of literary devices such as metaphors, alliteration, and hyperbole.

Expanding on the theme of nature, Wordsworth's poem delves into the detailed portrayal of the daffodils, creating a vivid tapestry of imagery. The poet, with a wonderful imagination, transforms unseen daffodils into a spectacle of beauty. Lines like "fluttering and dancing in the breeze" and "tossing their heads in a springy dance" evoke a sense of movement and life among the flowers, emphasizing their dynamic presence in nature. The waves dancing beside them further amplify the joyous atmosphere, showcasing the interconnectedness of nature and its ability to uplift human spirits.

Clarke, on the other hand, uses nature, including daffodils, as a backdrop to a different narrative—a poetry reading in a mental health setting. The comparison of nature to human beings takes a poignant turn as mentally afflicted individuals are described, creating a contrast between the serene beauty of the flowers and the challenges faced by those in the throes of mental illness. The daffodils become symbolic witnesses to the unfolding drama, overseeing the potential transformation and healing of the individuals involved.

Examining the structural elements, Wordsworth's poem follows a traditional form, divided into four stanzas with a regular rhyme scheme. The disciplined structure echoes the poet's sense of order and control in crafting his imaginative walk. Each line, with eight syllables, contributes to the rhythmic flow, creating a musicality that resonates with the joyous theme of the daffodils. In contrast, Clarke opts for a more free-form structure with seven five-line stanzas, varying line lengths, and no deliberate rhyme scheme. This departure from traditional structure aligns with the contemporary nature of her poem, mirroring the fluidity of emotions and experiences depicted.

Wordsworth's focus on the power of imagination is evident as he recreates mental images, filling his heart with pleasure. His delight in the beauty of the scene becomes infectious, inviting readers to partake in the sensory experience. In comparison, Clarke's interest lies in the transformative potential of poetry, particularly for a silent, laboring man suffering from depression. The daffodils, described as "golden flowers," serve as a catalyst for the revival of the man's ability to speak, bridging the gap between past educational pleasures and present rhythms of life.

Turning to tone, Wordsworth's poem maintains a constant sense of delight, uplifting the reader with its heavenly beauty. The poet's joy, evident from the beginning, persists throughout, creating an atmosphere that is hard to leave, as expressed in the line, "I gazed and gazed." In contrast, Clarke's tone evolves from caution to wonder, mirroring the progression of the narrative. The initial unease gives way to a mood of delight as the healing power of poetry unfolds, bringing about a sense of wholeness for the silent man.

Atmosphere plays a crucial role in shaping the reader's experience of the poems. Wordsworth's work exudes a sense of heaven-like beauty, quick and immersive, making it challenging to tear oneself away from the enchanting scene of the daffodils. In contrast, Clarke's poem relies on the tension between images of imprisonment and freedom, particularly evident in the fifth stanza, where the contrast between the mentally afflicted and the potential for recovery creates a palpable atmosphere of suspense and release.

Both poems, despite their differences, share a commonality in the prominence of natural imagery. Sparkle, color, and warmth pervade the verses, creating a visual and sensory feast for the readers. Wordsworth's poem, characterized by its regular pattern and constant rhythm, mirrors the steady movement of nature, particularly the dancing daffodils. On the other hand, Clarke's poem adopts an irregular pace, dependent on the narrative's ebb and flow, reflecting the unpredictability of the human experience portrayed.

The language employed in both works is carefully chosen to fit their respective contexts. Wordsworth's language, typical of the early nineteenth century, showcases a poetic style rooted in the literary traditions of his time. Clarke's language, belonging to the twentieth century, reflects a more contemporary and accessible tone, aligning with the themes of mental health and the transformative power of poetry. In both cases, vocabulary and structure remain relatively simple, enhanced by the frequent use of literary devices such as metaphors, alliteration, and hyperbole.