In the wild involves portrayals, in varying contexts, of the individual and the natural world

Analyse two differences or similarities between Wordsworth and Maloufs portrayals, making
detailed reference to your prescribed texts.
William Wordsworth and David Malouf explore both similar and contrasting concerns of humanitys
relationship with the natural world, influenced by very different cultural and social values. Both
Wordsworth and Malouf delve into the idea of gaining understanding and learning about oneself
through actively engaging with the environment. However, the composers have conflicting ideas on
the presence of a spiritual being within nature and how this affects the individual. These notions are
explored through Wordsworths poetry, Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey(Tintern
Abbey) and Its a Beauteous Evening, Calm and free, as well as the novella An Imaginary Life by David
Malouf, through the portrayal of characters, imagery and themes developed in their texts.
Wordsworth, like many other poets of the Romantic era, believed that the communion with nature
brings greater understanding and development of an individual. The progression from childhood to
adulthood is evident in Tintern Abbey. Wordsworth reminisces of his childhood passion felt within
nature, but instead of wanting to relive it, he chooses to take wisdom from this experience, as
shown in lines When these wild ecstasies shall be matured, into a sober pleasure. Wordsworth
delights in his connection with nature, and he worries for those who spend their lives in the city,
completely apart from the environment, unable to feel the tranquil restoration that Wordsworth
experiences. In times when he experiences difficulty with his life, when alone, tired and frustrated
with the busy city he lives, he reminisces of Tintern Abbey, and it calms him, as he says with many
recognitions dim and faint, the picture of the mind revives again, while I stand here, not only with a
sense of present pleasure, but with pleasing thoughts The memories of nature allow him to be
happy, and he becomes even more ecstatic when he realises he doesnt leave his memories behind.
In his return to the gloom on the city, he can remember the time he spent with nature, his heart
with pleasure fills, and dances with the daffodils. The memories of nature are eternal, as it will be
passed on to those who remember him.
Similarly, Malouf also displays the interaction between humans and nature, and the development of
an individual; however, how it is gained from this communion contrasts with Wordsworth due to
their dissimilar contexts they were written in. Ovid experiences a more physical relationship with
nature. Ovid comes to not only accept by embrace the surroundings that are alien to him. Ovids
change is displayed through the contrast of his initial and concluding opinions of the land he was
exiled to. Initially, the description of the surroundings were dull, and lifeless, as shown through lines
I have found no tree here that rises amongst the long, greyish brown shrub. No flower, No fruit.
Contrasting to the end where the grasslands, under the first touch of spring, sway and ripple like
the sea. This metamorphosis displays the ability for nature to change and impact the human heart.
Ovids view and of nature has evidently changed, yet, nature in itself remains very much the same. It
has an eternal and constancy in its existence. Malouf utilises many rhetorical questions such as
What lies on the far side of this grassy plain? This urges the readers to also engage in self-
reflection, questioning their insights into nature. -Initially he believed he was in isolation in nature.
Instead, he has found solace from his alienation from men. He questions who has discovered who,
the Child or Ovid. Did I really discover him or he discovers me? This contemplation of the
possibility and perhaps realisation that nature in fact found him and had an active role in helping
him to experience the comfort it provides, similar to the comfort Wordsworth finds in the perfection
of nature. Although the gaining of knowledge and individual development contrasts, there are
similar aspects in what Wordsworth and Ovid gain from the natural environment.