Final answer:
In 'The Prelude,' the speaker, reflecting on his childhood, wished to deeply connect with nature, influencing his adult identity and illustrating the impact of childhood experiences on one's adult life.
Step-by-step explanation:
In William Wordsworth’s autobiographical poem The Prelude, the speaker reflects on his childhood experiences and their impact on his adult self. As a child, the speaker desired to connect deeply with nature, an urge vividly depicted in the episodes of skating and boat stealing. Wordsworth's contemplation in his work includes the phrase “the child is father of the man,” suggesting that our adult identities and characters are significantly shaped by our childhood experiences.
Through this, Wordsworth considers how the events and circumstances of childhood influence the person he has become, with particular interest in the pure communion with and observation of the natural world that he perceived in his youth. This exploration resonates with themes of lifespan development, the enduring nature of one's formative years, and how those early experiences can define us.