Wordsworth was conservative and conventional throughout his life. true false
The Correct Answer and explanation is :
False.
William Wordsworth, one of the leading figures of the English Romantic movement, was not entirely conservative and conventional throughout his life. While he did hold certain traditional values, particularly in his later years, his poetry and philosophical outlook reflect a significant departure from the conventions of his time, especially in his early career.
In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Wordsworth, along with Samuel Taylor Coleridge, launched the Romantic movement with their publication of Lyrical Ballads in 1798. This collection was groundbreaking in its emphasis on emotion, nature, and the experiences of the common man, challenging the established norms of neoclassical poetry, which prioritized reason, order, and formal structures. Wordsworth’s belief in the importance of nature and his celebration of the ordinary human experience marked a radical shift in poetic focus.
Throughout his career, Wordsworth evolved in his views. In his early works, he was influenced by the political and social upheaval of the French Revolution, which instilled in him a sense of optimism about human potential and the possibility of societal change. His poem Lines Written in Early Spring reflects this idealism, where he contemplates nature and humanity’s relationship with it.
However, as Wordsworth matured, particularly after the political disillusionment following the Revolution, his views became more conservative. He increasingly valued social stability and the status quo, aligning himself with the established order. His later works exhibit a preference for tradition and a desire for a return to simplicity in human relationships.
In conclusion, while Wordsworth did exhibit conservative tendencies in his later years, his early work and the philosophical underpinnings of the Romantic movement showcase his departure from conventional thought, reflecting the complexities of his beliefs throughout his life.