Literary Devices Literary Devices    

Lesson 26: Allusion: The World Is Too Much with Us

by William Wordsworth

Performer: Librivox - Elizabeth Klett

Directions

Study the poem for one week.

Over the week:

• Read or listen to the poem.
• Review the synopsis.
• Read about the poet.
• Complete the enrichment activities.

Synopsis

William Wordsworth wrote 'The World Is Too Much with Us' around 1802, in the midst of the First Industrial Revolution (circa 1760-1840). The first eight lines of the poem discuss problems caused by the Industrial Revolution, and the final six lines address the solution. Wordsworth criticizes humankind's elevation of consumerism and rejection of nature. He remarks he'd rather live in a Pagan, nature-worshipping world than a world full of greed and destruction of nature. Wordsworth alludes to figures in Greek mythology, including Proteus, a sea-god, and Triton, the messenger of the sea.

Concepts

Poets often use literary devices, defined as 'rules of thumb, convention, or structure that are employed in literature and storytelling.'

The nine literary devices we'll study include:

1. Rhyming
2. Alliteration
3. Similes
4. Metaphors
5. Personification
6. Foreshadowing
7. Allusion
8. Hyperbole
9. Onomatopoeia

Allusion is a literary device whereby an author makes a reference to something supposed to be known, but not explicitly mentioned.

Enrichment

Activity 1: Recite Poem Information

Recite the title of the poem and the name of the poet.

Activity 2: Study the Poem Picture

Study the poem picture and describe how it relates to the poem. How does the image differ from the poem?

Activity 3: Recite the Poem

Practice reciting the poem aloud.

Activity 4: Identify Allusions in the Examples

Read aloud the examples below and identify the allusions.

• The arboretum was a Garden of Eden. (The Bible)
• Be careful up there. You don't want to fly too close to the sun. (Greek/Roman Mythology)
• His teeth gleamed, his enormous smile overtaking his face like the Cheshire Cat's. (Alice in Wonderland)
• Adorable puppies are my Kryptonite. (Superman)

Activity 5: Identify the Rhyme Scheme

Review the poem and identify the pattern of its rhyming scheme. (e.g. ABBACDCD, etc.)

Activity 6: Identify Alliteration

Review the poem and point out any instances of alliteration.

Activity 7: Identify Similes

• Review the poem excerpts and identify any similes.
• Name the pairs of elements that the similes compare.

Activity 8: Identify Personified Object(s)

Review the poem excerpts and identify anything personified.

Activity 9: Identify the Allusions

Review the poem excerpts and identify any allusions.

• Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea;
• Or hear old Triton blow his wreathèd horn.

Activity 10: Complete Book Activities   

• Click the crayon above, and complete pages 79-81 of 'Elementary Poetry 5: Literary Devices.'

References

'Industrial Revolution.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'The World Is Too Much with Us.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.

'Allusion.' Wikipedia. Wikipedia.org. n.p.