Final answer:
Wordsworth criticizes society's materialism and its loss of connection to nature, suggesting that we have become alienated from its beauty by our focus on commerce and industry.
Step-by-step explanation:
William Wordsworth's poem 'The World Is Too Much with Us' addresses his view that society is too consumed by materialism and has lost connection with nature. The obsession with getting and spending represents a departure from the appreciation of natural beauty and a connection to the world beyond human constructs. The term 'the world' in this context refers to this human-centered, materialistic life as opposed to the larger natural environment.
Wordsworth laments how industrialization and the pursuit of wealth have disconnected humanity from the serenity and spiritual connection that nature offers. This disconnection leads to a sense of loss, expressed by his wish to be a pagan who could view the divine within the natural world, seeing gods and myths in every aspect of the environment. His critique extends to social issues, with a concern for the poor and the decay of domestic affections amplified by the rapid changes in society.