Romanticism And Materialism - 1211 Words

Phones, money, cars, things, humanity has always struggled with the vice of materialism. It comes from selfishness, wanting or caring about temporary rewards, physical things, and in turn neglecting the spiritual. In â€Å"The World is Too Much with Us,† William Wordsworth makes an argument against the worldview of the Industrial Revolution, looking back toward Romantic ideals for his inspiration. He sets up the case against materialism by drawing the reader or listener in through beautiful descriptions only to snap them awake with his relevant accusations and finally conclude in a tone of lament in order to move the reader to action. In this way, he effectively responds to the timeless issue of â€Å"the bottomless cup,† or humanity’s constant†¦show more content†¦Readers find themselves on an island, watching the sea rage as the moon shines full and bright above them. Wordsworth then drops the scene and the reader into a peaceful slumber, tucking the w inds of the seas away like â€Å"sleeping flowers† (7). With these descriptions he sweeps readers away from their previous thoughts and leaves them on an island in the midst of a moonlit ocean, everything else in the world far off and indistinct. He is revealing to them that this is what nature is meant to be to us: not something worthless and ownable, but something powerful and independent. Thus, he sets up his argument that nature never has been and never will be owned by people, but forever independent. After lulling readers to sleep on this distant island, Wordsworth awakens them to a harsh reality: even though we should appreciate all this great beauty, â€Å"it moves us not. Great God† (Wordsworth 9)! The word choice in this line is short and to the point, and â€Å"Great God!† adds emphasis to the prior statement. Wordsworth employs a persuasive technique where he wraps readers up in his encompassing descriptions, only to remind them that they do not pay any attention to these things in their everyday lives. Why? As someone holding onto Romantic ideas during the shift into the Industrial Revolution, Wordsworth recognizes the want for material things and the negative consequences it brings. At that time in the late seventeen- and early eighteen-hundreds, manyShow MoreRelatedRomanticism Essays509 Words   |  3 PagesRomanticism Romanticism began in the mid-18th century and reached its height in the 19th century. It was limited to Europe and America although different compatriots donated to its birth and popularity. Romanticism as a movement declined in the late 19th century and early 20th century with the growing dominance of Realism in the arts and the rapid advancement of science and technology. However, Romanticism was very impressionative on most individuals during its time. 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