Final answer:
The hermit in 'Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey' symbolizes the speaker's future connectedness to nature, reflecting Wordsworth's recurring theme of nature as a source of wisdom and spiritual sustenance.
Step-by-step explanation:
The hermit in Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey represents A) The speaker's future connectedness to nature. Within the poem, solitary figures like hermits are often emblematic of individuals who live in harmony with the natural environment, and who draw wisdom, solace, and perhaps even spiritual sustenance from their deep connection to the natural world. This is aligned with the overarching themes of many of Wordsworth's works, where nature is a constant source of inspiration, reflection, and a means to transcend the immediate concerns of the social and material world.
Wordsworth's writing frequently explores the relationship between nature and the human spirit, particularly the way in which natural landscapes can have profound impacts on the self. He often describes experiences in nature as having a lasting influence on the individual, molding their perspectives and inner life. The references to the hermit, therefore, likely underline a future for the speaker where they maintain a deep, abiding connection to nature, echoing the experiences that Wordsworth himself values and seeks to communicate through his poetry.