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In "The Tables Turned," what does the poet claim is man's best moral teacher?

User Bjarven
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Final answer:

In 'The Tables Turned,' Wordsworth claims that nature is the best moral teacher, advocating for the wisdom of natural experiences over learned books, which aligns with the Romantic era's values.

Step-by-step explanation:

In William Wordsworth's poem The Tables Turned, the poet claims that nature is man's best moral teacher. Wordsworth's work presents a clear break from the scientific rationalism of the Enlightenment, suggesting that a simple impulse from nature, such as from a vernal wood, can teach more about humanity and moral truths than learned sages can. This stance reflects the Romantic era's valorization of nature, emotion, and the sublime as sources of wisdom and enlightenment.

The title The Tables Turned implies a reversal of roles or situation. In the context of the poem, it refers to advocating for the wisdom of nature over the learned books. The phrase "Close up those barren leaves" is an admonition to turn away from lifeless pages of books and to engage directly with the living wisdom of nature.

User Mugdha
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