The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and…
““The world is too much with us; late and soon, Getting and spending, we lay waste our powers; Little we see in Nature that is ours; We have given our hearts away, a sordid boon! This Sea that bares her bosom to the moon, The winds that will be howling at all hours, And are up-gathered now like sleeping flowers, For this, for everything, we are out of tune; It moves us not.—Great God! I'd rather be A Pagan suckled in a creed outworn; So might I, standing on this pleasant lea, Have glimpses that would make me less forlorn; Have sight of Proteus rising from the sea; Or hear old Triton blow his wreathed horn.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
The passage laments humanity’s disconnection from nature, yearning for a return to natural rhythms and mythic wonder.
In simple terms: People have lost touch with nature and myth.
Key Takeaway
Reconnect with nature and mythic imagination.
Themes
nature
disconnection
myth
industrialization
Mood
melancholic
contemplative
Type
literary
philosophical
When to use this quote
- urban life
- environmental activism
- creative writing
Key Concepts
environmental alienation
spiritual longing
romanticism
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you restore natural harmony?
- What mythic symbols inspire you?
A Different Perspective
Modern life offers many ways to stay connected to nature.