Question

The ____ of the poem is emphasised by the use of the limited vocabulary characteristic of a child. We have only two nouns in the first stanza - 'father' and 'boy'. These set up expectations of relationship. That the boy is 'little' adds a further set of expectations in terms of vulnerability and care. Both sets are countered by the verbs 'are going', 'walk' 'be lost.

Answer 1

William Wordsworth's poem manifests the idea that our adult selves are largely influenced by our childhood experiences, which is a central concept in lifespan development. Poets utilize vocabulary, structure, and shifts in voice to illustrate this continuity and the repercussions of childhood experiences on adult identity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The phrase 'the child is father of the man' from William Wordsworth's poetry suggests a profound connection between childhood experiences and adult identity. Wordsworth implies that the adult we become is significantly shaped by the child we once were. This connection is fundamental to lifespan development, highlighting the continuity between early experiences and later personality and behavior. As the adult is a product of the child's growth, any disruptions or distinctive events in childhood can have a lasting impact, as seen in the nuanced expressions and themes found within poetry addressing lifespan development.

Poems often use little details, such as the limited vocabulary of a child, to communicate deeper meanings about relationships, vulnerability, and care. Words like 'father' and 'boy' set up immediate expectations which poets can either fulfill or subvert, thereby exploring the complexities of maturation and the influence of childhood memories on adult life. The way poets use verbs like 'are going' or 'be lost' can counter the simplistic assumptions about child-adult dynamics, adding layers to the narrative of growth, loss, and acceptance that are intrinsic to human development.

In Wordsworth's view, the essence of one's childhood forms the foundation of their adult self, which poets capture using both structure and word choice. Within poetry, the shifting voices and line breaks can reflect the phases of life, from the simplicity and immediacy of childhood to the contemplative recognition of adult complexities. This encapsulates the belief that our youthful experiences bear a heavy weight in shaping who we are as adults, a notion that resonates across various pieces of literature.