Wordsworth's Poetical Works Lesson Plan

What do you notice that's special about the word choices in "Immortality Ode"? What new kinds of ideas is Wordsworth writing about here that justify his word choices?

Students should notice that there are many long, Latinate and philosophical words in "Immortality Ode." This is an interesting choice, since the form of the ode is more song-like than Wordsworth's prosy, conversational poems. There is substantial religious and metaphysical language in the Ode, reflecting Wordsworth's concern with laying out a philosophy of childhood in this poem. One could compare the way Wordsworth describes the Child in this poem with descriptions of the baby...