I Wandered Lonely
as a Cloud
by William Wordsworth
BACKGROUND
William Wordsworth was an English poet who lived from
1770–1850. He believed that poetry can occur when people get
in touch with a memory and relive the experience long after it
has occurred. Wordsworth also believed that nature is the best
teacher. This poem describes a special moment in nature.
I wandered lonely as a cloud
A
That floats on high o’ er vales1 and hills,
QUICK CHECK
What is happening in the
first stanza, or section, of the
poem?
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils,
5
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the Milky Way,
They stretched in never-ending line
10
Along the margin of a bay;
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
B
VOCABULARY
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
Selection Vocabulary
Glee means “great delight.”
Use glee in a sentence.
The waves beside them danced, but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee; B
15
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund2 company;
1.
2.
252
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
vales (VAYLZ): valleys.
jocund (JAHK UHND): merry.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. A
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought: C
LITERARY ANALYSIS
When the poet says the sight
of the daffodils brought him
wealth, what sort of wealth
do you think he means?
For oft,3 when on my couch I lie
20
C
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude; D
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils. E
F
D
LANGUAGE COACH
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
A word’s connotations are
the feelings associated with
the word. What connotations
does the word solitude have
in this poem?
E
READING FOCUS
Read the last stanza aloud.
How does reading aloud help
you appreciate the poem?
F
LITERARY FOCUS
Write stressed (´) and
unstressed ( ˘ ) symbols above
the last two lines of the
poem to show their meter.
3.
oft (AWFT): shortened form of often.
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
253
Skills Practice
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
USE A CONCEPT MAP
DIRECTIONS: William Wordsworth uses some interesting language to create
the rhythm of “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.” Complete the concept map
below by choosing four words or phrases from the poem that particularly
caught your attention. Write your selections in the blank ovals.
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Interesting words and phrases from
“I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”
254
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
Applying Your Skills
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
VOCABULARY DEVELOPMENT
DIRECTIONS: Write a synonym for each vocabulary word listed below.
Remember that a synonym is a word with the same or nearly the same
definition as another word. Use a dictionary or thesaurus if you need help.
1. sprightly:
2. glee:
3. pensive:
4. solitude:
LITERARY SKILLS FOCUS: RHYTHM AND METER
DIRECTIONS: Read the following lines from “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”
Scan these lines and mark their meter by writing the appropriate symbols
over the stressed (´) and unstressed ( ˘ ) syllables.
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host of golden daffodils,
Copyright © by Holt, Rinehart and Winston. All rights reserved.
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
READING SKILLS FOCUS: READING ALOUD
DIRECTIONS: With a partner, read aloud “I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud.”
Take turns so that you each read the poem aloud once. After reading,
write a paragraph describing the differences in the two readings. Did the
different readings change the meaning, rhythm, or meter of the poem?
Explain your answers.
Reading
Standard 3.7
Recognize and
understand the
significance
of various
literary devices,
including
figurative
language,
imagery,
allegory, and
symbolism, and
explain their
appeal.
I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud
255