In "Michael", Wordsworths depicts an ordinary man that goes through an emotional journey with his son. Michael was a shepherd that lived an ordinary life. His "only Son was now the dearest object that he knew on earth. Exceeding was the love he bare to him" (lines 159 to 161). Michael loved his life as a shepherd and loved his son, Luke, dearly. The only problem was this was that his son did not have the same passion as Michael. Luke "slacken in his duty; and, at length He in the dissolute city gave himself to evil courses..." (Lines 451- 453). Luke abandoned being a shepherd and abandoned his father. Michael was very upset and hurt by his son's action. However, Michael stayed strong and continued his daily shepherd duties because "there is a comfort in the strength of love; 'Twill make a thing endurable," in his shepherd duties (lines 457-458). Michael tried to mast his pain and grief from losing his son, Luke. The last few stanzas of the poem from lines 476- to 480, Wordsworth describes the Sheep-fold that both Michael and Luke worked on. This shows that there is sense of commitment in their relationship, and the unfinished sheep-fold is the unending love that Michael has for Luke. I believe Wordsworth themes for this poem is successes and failures, and hopes and despairs in life.
I understand Michael being a little upset that his son does not want to be a shepherd, but I think that a parent should want their child to do what makes them happy. I think it might have been a little different back then, but a person is not going to work as hard or do as good of a job in an occupation that they do not enjoy. You can always tell a difference between a person who really enjoys their job and a person who is just doing it for a job.
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ReplyDeleteOK plot summary of Wordsworth's poem, but I would have liked to see more critical thinking and analysis of the text. You mention a good image to focus on—the sheepfold—at the very end, but don't pursue it in sufficient depth and detail.
You made a mistake in line eleven "was this was that"
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ReplyDeleteTo me, I think the fears of the industrial revolution as described in Wordsworth's Preface to "Lyrical Ballads" is the cause for Luke's decline.
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