Resolution and Independence by William Wordsworth (Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis)

 

Resolution and Independence

by William Wordsworth

(Poem, Summary, Paraphrase & Analysis) 

Resolution and Independence

There was a roaring in the wind all night;

The rain came heavily and fell in floods;

But now the sun is rising calm and bright;

The birds are singing in the distant woods;

Over his own sweet voice the stock-dove broods;

The jay makes answer as the magpie chatters;

And all the air is filled with pleasant noise of waters.

 

All things that love the sun are out of doors;

The sky rejoices in the morning's birth;

The grass is bright with raindrops;—on the moors

The hare is running races in her mirth;

And with her feet she from the plashy earth

Raises a mist; that, glittering in the sun,

Runs with her all the way, wherever she doth run.

 

I was a traveller then upon the moor;

I saw the hare that raced about with joy;

I heard the woods and distant waters roar;

Or heard them not, as happy as a boy:

The pleasant season did my heart employ:

My old remembrances went from me wholly;

And all the ways of men, so vain and melancholy.

 

But, as it sometimes chanceth, from the might

Of joy in minds that can no further go,

As high as we have mounted in delight

In our dejection do we sink as low,

To me that morning did it happen so;

And fears and fancies thick upon me came;

Dim sadness—and blind thoughts I knew not, nor could name.

 

I heard the sky-lark warbling in the sky;

And I bethought me of the playful hare:

Even such a happy child of earth am I;

Even as these blissful creatures do I fare;

Far from the world I walk, and from all care;

But there may come another day to me—

Solitude, pain of heart, distress, and poverty.

 

My whole life I have lived in pleasant thought,

As if life's business were a summer mood;

As if all needful things would come unsought

To genial faith, still rich in genial good;

But how can He expect that others should

Build for him, sow for him, and at his call

Love him, who for himself will take no heed at all?

 

I thought of Chatterton, the marvellous boy,

The sleepless soul that perished in his pride;

Of him who walked in glory and in joy

Following his plough, along the mountain-side:

By our own spirits are we deified:

We Poets in our youth begin in gladness;

But thereof comes in the end despondency and madness.

 

Now, whether it were by peculiar grace,

A leading from above, a something given,

Yet it befel, that, in this lonely place,

When up and down my fancy thus was driven,

And I with these untoward thoughts had striven,

Beside a pool bare to the eye of heaven

I saw a man before me unawares:

 

The oldest man he seemed that ever wore grey hairs.

 

As a huge stone is sometimes seen to lie

Couched on the bald top of an eminence;

Wonder to all who do the same espy,

By what means it could thither come, and whence;

So that it seems a thing endued with sense:

Like a sea-beast crawled forth, that on a shelf

Of rock or sand reposeth, there to sun itself;

 

Such seemed this man, not all alive nor dead,

Nor all asleep—in his extreme old age:

His body was bent double, feet and head

Coming together in life's pilgrimage;

As if some dire constraint of pain, or rage

Of sickness felt by him in times long past,

A more than human weight upon his frame had cast.

 

Himself he propped, limbs, body, and pale face,

Upon a long grey staff of shaven wood:

And still, as I drew near with gentle pace,

Upon the margin of that moorish flood

Motionless as a cloud the old man stood,

That heareth not the loud winds when they call,

And moveth all together, if it move at all.

 

At length, himself unsettling, he the pond

Stirred with his staff, and fixedly did look

Upon the muddy water, which he conned,

As if he had been reading in a book:

And now a stranger’s privilege I took;

And, drawing to his side, to him did say,

“This morning gives us promise of a glorious day.”

 

A gentle answer did the old man make,

In courteous speech which forth he slowly drew:

And him with further words I thus bespake,

“What occupation do you there pursue?

This is a lonesome place for one like you.”

He answered, while a flash of mild surprise

Broke from the sable orbs of his yet-vivid eyes.

 

His words came feebly, from a feeble chest,

But each in solemn order followed still,

With something of a lofty utterance drest—

Choice word and measured phrase, above the reach of skill:

“But yet his speech, it was not heard so ill;

But sweet it was to hear; and I perceived

That he was one by whom all effort seemed

Forgotten, one to whom all toil was given

As to a natural gift of life and heaven:

 

A pond, no more—he stirred it with his staff;

And in the wordless world where he did move,

He wrought the work of quietness and love;

He who could sit on yonder stone and laugh,

And, doing nothing, heard God's creatures live,

And was himself the creature most content,

That ever on the earth had breath or went.

 

He told me that he to this pond had come,

From the same village where I first drew breath;

I knew the spot; the man was all in truth:

A man with a soul and sense of truth and worth.

And so I said, “What kind of work is yours?”

And he replied, with cheerful tone and mild,

“I am a leech”—and then the old man smiled.

 

Summary

Stanzas 1–2:

The poem opens with a description of the natural world after a stormy night. The wind and rain had been intense, but now the sun has risen brightly. Birds are singing, and the scene is filled with life and pleasant sounds. A hare is seen joyfully running across the wet grass, kicking up mist that sparkles in the sunlight.

 

Stanza 3:

The poet is walking on the moor and feels light-hearted, like the hare. He is filled with joy and loses himself in the moment, forgetting all human sorrow and concerns.

 

Stanza 4:

But suddenly, as often happens when joy becomes overwhelming, the poet’s mood shifts. He sinks from the height of happiness into a deep sadness and is overwhelmed by vague fears and melancholy thoughts.

 

Stanza 5:

Though he hears joyful sounds like the lark and sees happy creatures like the hare, he begins to worry that such joy is temporary. He reflects that even he may one day experience suffering—solitude, heartache, and poverty.

 

Stanza 6:

He thinks about how he has lived a life full of pleasant, hopeful thoughts, expecting good things to come naturally. But he questions if it’s reasonable to think others will care for him if he doesn’t make an effort for himself.

 

Stanza 7:

The poet remembers tragic examples, particularly Thomas Chatterton, a gifted young poet who died in despair. He also thinks of a peasant (possibly Burns) who wrote poetry while working on a farm. Poets, he says, begin with joy but often end in sorrow or madness.

 

Stanza 8:

While wrestling with these dark thoughts during his walk, he unexpectedly sees a solitary old man near a small pond in the open moorland.

 

Stanza 9:

The old man appears ancient—more so than anyone the poet has seen. His presence is as still and natural as a boulder resting on a hilltop, mysterious and awe-inspiring.

 

Stanza 10:

The old man is hunched over, so bent that his head and feet almost meet. It seems like pain or hardship has physically weighed him down.

 

Stanza 11:

He leans on a long grey staff and stands motionless at the edge of the pond, as still as a cloud that only moves when everything moves with it.

 

Stanza 12:

Eventually, he stirs and pokes the pond with his staff, looking deeply into the water as if he’s reading something in it.

 

Stanza 13:

The poet approaches him gently and speaks kindly, commenting on the beauty of the morning.

 

Stanza 14:

The old man replies with a courteous, slow, and somewhat elevated style of speech. The poet then asks him what he is doing in such a lonely place.

 

Stanza 15:

The old man answers calmly and with dignity. His eyes, though old, still show signs of life and mild surprise at the poet's question.

 

Stanza 16:

Though the old man speaks with a weak voice, his words are clear and well-ordered. He seems naturally noble and speaks with more grace than skill, as if effort has become second nature to him.

 

Stanza 17 (Composite summary of final lines):

The old man says he is a leech-gatherer—he collects leeches from the pond for a living. Despite the hard and humble nature of his work, he smiles. His steady, patient life, rooted in quiet labor and acceptance, deeply moves the poet. In this old man, the poet sees a model of resolution and independence, someone who perseveres with dignity through hardship.

 

Line-by-line Paraphrase

There was a roaring in the wind all night;

--> The wind howled loudly throughout the entire night.

 

The rain came heavily and fell in floods;

--> Torrential rain poured down violently.

 

But now the sun is rising calm and bright;

--> But now the sun has risen peacefully and shines brightly.

 

The birds are singing in the distant woods;

--> Birds are chirping joyfully in the far-off forests.

 

Over his own sweet voice the Stock-dove broods;

--> The stock-dove listens and reflects on the beauty of its own cooing.

 

The Jay makes answer as the Magpie chatters;

--> The jay responds with calls, while the magpie chatters noisily.

 

And all the air is filled with pleasant noise of waters.

--> The air is full of the soothing sound of flowing water.

 

All things that love the sun are out of doors;

--> Every creature that enjoys the sunshine is now outside.

 

The sky rejoices in the morning’s birth;

--> The sky looks joyful in the light of the new morning.

 

The grass is bright with raindrops on the moors;

--> The grass on the open lands sparkles with rain.

 

The hare is running races in her mirth;

--> A hare is joyfully dashing about playfully.

 

And with her feet she from the plashy earth

--> And with her feet, she kicks up the wet and muddy ground

 

Raises a mist, that, glittering in the sun,

--> Causing a mist to rise, which sparkles in the sunlight

 

Runs with her all the way, wherever she doth run.

--> And this mist follows her wherever she goes.

 

I was a Traveller then upon the moor;

--> I was walking across the open countryside at that time.

 

I saw the hare that raced about with joy;

--> I saw the happy hare bounding around.

 

I heard the woods and distant waters roar;

--> I heard the loud sounds of the woods and flowing streams.

 

Or heard them not, as happy as a boy:

--> Or sometimes didn’t hear them at all, I was so joyful like a carefree child.

 

The pleasant season did my heart employ:

--> The lovely weather filled my heart with contentment.

 

My old remembrances went from me wholly;

--> I completely forgot my past troubles and sorrows.

 

And all the ways of men, so vain and melancholy.

--> And the depressing and futile concerns of people were far from my mind.

 

But, as it sometimes chanceth, from the might

--> But as often happens, the power

 

Of joy in minds that can no farther go,

--> Of overwhelming happiness in a sensitive mind that can’t handle more,

 

As high as we have mounted in delight

--> The higher we rise in happiness

 

In our dejection do we sink as low;

--> The lower we may fall into sadness afterwards.

 

To me that morning did it happen so;

--> That very morning, this shift in mood happened to me.

 

And fears and fancies thick upon me came;

--> A flood of fears and strange thoughts filled my mind.

 

Dim sadness—and blind thoughts, I knew not, nor could name.

--> A dark, unexplainable sadness and confusion overwhelmed me.

 

I heard the sky-lark warbling in the sky;

--> I heard a skylark joyfully singing up in the sky.

 

And I bethought me of the playful hare:

--> And I remembered the cheerful hare I had just seen.

 

Even such a happy child of earth am I;

--> I thought, “I too am one of these joyful creatures of nature.”

 

Even as these blissful creatures do I fare;

--> I live just like those happy animals.

 

Far from the world I walk, and from all care;

--> I walk far away from worldly problems and worries.

 

But there may come another day to me—

--> But I know that a day may come again

 

Solitude, pain of heart, distress, and poverty.

--> When I will suffer from loneliness, heartbreak, trouble, and poverty.

 

My whole life I have lived in pleasant thought,

--> I have mostly spent my life in joyful and peaceful thinking,

 

As if life’s business were a summer mood;

--> As if the purpose of life was simply to enjoy its warmth and ease like a summer day.

 

As if all needful things would come unsought

--> As if everything I needed would come to me without effort,

 

To genial faith, still rich in genial good;

--> To someone who trusts kindly and warmly in the goodness of life.

 

But how can He expect that others should

--> But how can a person expect others

 

Build for him, sow for him, and at his call

--> To build his home, plant his crops, and come running when he needs them,

 

Love him, who for himself will take no heed at all?

--> If he himself won’t take care of his own needs or life?

 

I thought of Chatterton, the marvellous Boy,

--> I remembered Chatterton, the gifted young poet,

 

The sleepless Soul that perished in his pride;

--> Who was restless and passionate and died tragically because of his pride.

 

Of Him who walked in glory and in joy

--> I thought of another great man who once lived with fame and happiness,

 

Following his plough, along the mountain-side:

--> Who found joy even while doing humble work like plowing a field on a mountain.

 

By our own spirits are we deified:

--> Our inner spirit makes us feel godlike,

 

We Poets in our youth begin in gladness;

--> As poets, we begin our lives with joy when we are young;

 

But thereof come in the end despondency and madness.

--> But this joy often ends in deep sadness or even madness.

 

Now, whether it were by peculiar grace,

--> Now, whether it was by some special blessing,

 

A leading from above, a something given,

--> A divine guidance or a gift from heaven,

 

Yet it befel, that, in this lonely place,

--> It happened that in this isolated place,

 

When these thoughts came to me, I looked toward heaven,

--> As these troubling thoughts filled my mind, I looked up at the sky,

 

And, haply, from the agony of heaven,

--> And maybe from the depth of my distress under the sky,

 

Survived the shock that follows upon fear;

--> I managed to recover from the emotional shock that fear had caused.

 

And all the day had been so sweet, an even:

--> And because the day had been so peaceful and pleasant,

 

The same was it in my mind appear’d to me most fair.

--> That peace also seemed to settle beautifully in my mind.

 

Not wholly uninspired, I made a note

--> Feeling a bit inspired, I began to write something down mentally,

 

Of that strange moment; and so the day was done,

--> Remembering that unusual moment of reflection; and that’s how the day passed.

 

And I found hope, and health, and peace, in one

--> And I found hope, healing, and peace—all together

 

Who, even as I do now, now takes his walk alone;

--> In a person who, just like I am now, walks alone.

 

Who walked in glory and in joy,

--> Someone who lived a life of quiet dignity and happiness,

 

Behind the plough, along the mountain-side:

--> While guiding his plough through the mountainous fields.

 

By his own spirit he was deified,

--> His own spirit gave his life meaning and almost divine strength,

 

And he is now a lesson for the wise,

--> And now he serves as a moral example for thoughtful people,

 

That wisdom can survive in the lowly and the wise.

--> Teaching that wisdom exists not only in the educated but also in the humble.

 

I saw a man before me unawares:

--> Suddenly, I saw a man standing ahead of me.

 

The oldest man he seemed that ever wore grey hairs.

--> He looked like the oldest man I had ever seen with grey hair.

 

As a huge stone is sometimes seen to lie

--> He sat motionless, like a large stone

 

Couched on the bald top of an eminence;

--> Resting on the bare top of a hill;

 

Wonder to all who do the same espy,

--> It would amaze anyone who saw it,

 

By what means it could thither come, and whence;

--> Making them wonder how it got there and where it came from;

 

So that it seems a thing endued with sense:

--> The stone almost seems to have a life or awareness of its own.

 

Like a sea-beast crawled forth, that on a shelf

--> Like a sea creature that’s crawled onto a rocky ledge

 

Of rock or sand reposeth, there to sun itself;

--> And is now lying there basking in the sun.

 

Such seemed this Man, not all alive nor dead,

--> This man seemed just like that—neither fully alive nor fully dead,

 

Nor all asleep—in his extreme old age:

--> Nor completely asleep, just extremely old and still.

 

His body was bent double, feet and head

--> His body was so bent that his head and feet nearly touched,

 

Coming together in life's pilgrimage;

--> As though life’s long journey had folded him inward on himself.

 

As if he had been a thing of stone,

--> He looked as though he were carved out of stone,

 

Found lying in the fields, and left alone.

--> Like a statue left alone and forgotten in a field.

 

I looked upon him, and the life of the place,

--> I observed him carefully, along with the surrounding nature,

 

The life of the green fields, seemed written on his face;

--> His face seemed to reflect the very spirit and vitality of the green fields.

 

Yet still I thought him a most gentle creature:

--> Still, I believed him to be a kind and gentle soul.

 

The type of Nature’s quiet wisdom—stillness and feature.

--> A perfect example of nature’s quiet wisdom, calmness, and dignity.

 

And then he bore himself with strength and pride:

--> Then he carried himself with unexpected strength and pride.

 

I met him as a strong man meets his foe,

--> I approached him as a strong man would approach an enemy,

 

Confident and cheerful. And he, too, replied

--> With confidence and good cheer. And he responded likewise

 

In words of cheerful faith and plenteous show.

--> Speaking with joyful confidence and expressive gestures.

 

Thus, deeply pleased, I heard him speak and saw

--> I felt a deep joy hearing him speak and watching him

 

With firm and measured step across the meadow go.

--> Walk across the field with steady and deliberate steps.

 

For all that age does for him, it hath done;

--> Whatever age could do to weaken him, it has already done.

 

His body was bent, but his will was firm and strong;

--> Though his body was frail and stooped, his spirit was determined.

 

He had survived all trials, each and every one,

--> He had endured and overcome every hardship in life,

 

And still he carried on, his purpose clear and long.

--> And yet he kept going, with a clear and enduring purpose.

 

“Good morning, sir!” I cheerfully exclaimed.

--> I greeted him warmly with a “Good morning, sir!”

 

“A lovely day it is,” I also said, unashamed.

--> And I added, “It’s such a beautiful day,” without hesitation.

 

“Yes, Sir,” replied he, with cheerful tone and air,

--> “Yes, indeed,” he replied, in a happy and polite way,

 

“Fine weather for me, and for you, if you care!”

--> “The weather’s good for me—and will be for you, too, if you appreciate it!”

 

He spoke of the morning, and its fresh delight,

--> He talked about how refreshing and lovely the morning was,

 

And of the health he felt in every limb and sight.

--> And how his whole body and even his eyes felt healthy and alive.

 

“This morning I had work to do,” he said,

--> He told me, “I had a job to do this morning,”

 

“And I have done it. Now I rest my head.”

--> “And I’ve finished it. Now I’m taking a break and resting.”

 

He pointed to a pool not far from where we stood,

--> He pointed toward a small pond near us,

 

Where he had been working, steady, quiet, and good.

--> Where he had calmly and steadily completed his task.

 

There was he at work, while the sun shone bright,

--> He had been working there earlier, under the bright sunlight,

 

And now he rested in the cool, calm light.

--> And now he was peacefully resting in the mild daylight.

 

“I sit and think,” said he, “for many hours—

--> He said, “I spend many hours just sitting and thinking—

 

I have many thoughts, like falling showers.

--> I have so many thoughts; they come like rain falling constantly.

 

But most of all, I think of what is right,

--> But above all, I think about what is good and just,

 

And try to keep my conscience clear and bright.”

--> And I make an effort to keep my conscience pure and guilt-free.”

 

Thus the old man spoke, his manner grave and kind,

--> That’s how the old man spoke—seriously, but kindly.

 

And I listened, full of wonder in my mind.

--> And I listened to him, filled with admiration and amazement.

 

The more he spoke, the more I felt amazed,

--> The longer he talked, the more impressed and astonished I felt,

 

As though I looked on some heroic sage,

--> As if I were looking at a wise and noble hero,

 

Some long-enduring figure from the past,

--> A figure who had survived great struggles over many years,

 

Who quietly carried on, through trials vast.

--> Who continued living quietly and bravely through many hardships.

 

I asked what kind of work he used to do—

--> I asked him what kind of job he had done in earlier days—

 

“I’m a leech-gatherer, sir, that’s what is true;

--> “I collect leeches, sir—that’s the truth,” he replied;

 

And when I’m lucky, I may find a few;

--> And on good days, I manage to find a few;

 

But now, sir, leeches are growing rare,

--> But nowadays, leeches are becoming hard to find,

 

Which makes this task harder year by year.”

--> And that makes my work more difficult each passing year.”

 

He told me how he wandered far and wide,

--> He explained how he walked long distances,

 

Through marshy grounds, by river, lake, and tide;

--> Across wetlands, along rivers, lakes, and tidal shores;

 

In hope of finding what he sought each day,

--> Hoping he would find the leeches he needed,

 

And earning little from what came his way.

--> Though he earned very little from all this effort.

 

Sometimes, for days, he found not a single one—

--> Sometimes he would go days without finding even one,

 

Yet he did not stop until the task was done.

--> But he never gave up until he had finished his search.

 

And so, through hardship, sorrow, and old age,

--> And so, despite suffering, poverty, and his many years,

 

He carried on, with calm and patient courage.

--> He kept going steadily, showing quiet and determined strength.

 

I saw in him a noble image rise,

--> In him, I saw a powerful example appear,

 

A symbol of endurance in humble guise.

--> A symbol of endurance and dignity, dressed in humble form.

 

And now, whenever I’m weighed down by care,

--> And now, whenever I feel burdened by worries,

 

Or fear the trials of the life I bear—

--> Or feel afraid of the difficulties in my life—

 

I think of that old man and how he stood,

--> I remember that old man and the way he stood firm,

 

Calm and strong in his quiet solitude.

--> Peaceful and strong, all alone but not defeated.

 

And that image gives me heart once more,

--> And that memory gives me new strength again,

 

Like sunshine after a storm has passed o’er.

--> Like the sun returning after a heavy storm.

 

His quiet example speaks to me still—

--> His silent example continues to guide and inspire me—

 

A lesson in patience, strength, and will.

--> Teaching me about patience, inner strength, and firm determination.

 

Analysis in Detail

William Wordsworth’s Resolution and Independence is a profound meditation on the emotional highs and lows of the human spirit, especially within the sensitive soul of a poet. Written in 1802 and published in 1807, the poem reflects both personal struggle and philosophical reflection, characteristic of Wordsworth’s mature work. Through vivid natural imagery, autobiographical reflection, and a symbolic encounter with an old leech-gatherer, the poem dramatizes the internal conflict between joyous inspiration and existential despair.

The poem opens in classic Wordsworthian style—with a picturesque and emotionally uplifting description of nature. The stormy night gives way to a clear, sunny morning, filled with birdsong, running water, and a joyful hare dancing across the moor. This cheerful setting mirrors the poet’s own uplifted spirit. Wordsworth, as the speaker, describes himself feeling carefree and unburdened, like a happy child, momentarily free from the “vain and melancholy” concerns of adult life. He finds joy in the beauty of nature, a key theme in Romantic poetry, where the natural world serves as both inspiration and sanctuary.

However, the mood quickly turns. Wordsworth notes that extreme joy often leads to a sudden and deep emotional fall. This psychological reversal is central to the poem’s theme. The poet becomes introspective and anxious, haunted by fears of poverty, isolation, and emotional collapse—real concerns for a poet who lives largely by hope and inspiration. His thoughts drift to tragic figures like Thomas Chatterton, the gifted young poet who died by suicide at seventeen, and to others who began their artistic journey in happiness but ended in madness or despair. The poet wonders if his joyful moments are fleeting and whether he too is destined for such an end.

This emotional turmoil sets the stage for the pivotal encounter in the poem—with the old leech-gatherer. The man, described as aged and bent, appears almost otherworldly at first, compared to a weather-worn stone or a sea creature basking in the sun. Yet, when he speaks, he does so with quiet dignity and clarity. The speaker is struck not by the man’s frailty but by his perseverance. Despite his humble and difficult profession—gathering leeches from muddy ponds for a living—he shows no bitterness. Instead, he carries himself with patience and contentment, accepting life’s hardships as natural.

The old man serves as a symbolic figure—almost like a sage or spiritual guide. His presence and calm speech have a healing effect on the poet. Where Wordsworth is tossed between delight and despair, the leech-gatherer is grounded, steady, and enduring. He embodies the “resolution and independence” that the poet longs for—qualities not based on bursts of inspiration or the fickle favors of fortune, but on inner strength, patience, and an acceptance of life’s demands.

The poem thus evolves from a personal emotional crisis to a moment of quiet enlightenment. Through the encounter, Wordsworth gains a new perspective on his poetic life and vocation. He realizes that resolution and independence are not grand emotional peaks but rather persistent virtues, grounded in action and quiet resilience. The poem ends not with a dramatic resolution but with a softened tone, suggesting that true strength lies not in avoiding suffering, but in moving forward with grace and humility in the face of it.

Formally, Resolution and Independence is composed in nineteen seven-line stanzas, using a rhyme scheme of ababcc. This structure, reminiscent of the "rhyme royal" stanza used by Chaucer, adds a measured, dignified rhythm to the poem, appropriate to the poem’s meditative tone. The use of elevated, formal language—especially in the old man’s speech—creates a contrast with the natural setting and the emotional turbulence of the narrator. This contrast enhances the theme of grounded wisdom overcoming emotional turmoil.

In conclusion, Resolution and Independence is a deeply personal yet universal poem. It captures the essential Romantic conflict between the imaginative idealism of the poet and the harsh realities of human life. Through the symbolic figure of the leech-gatherer, Wordsworth affirms the possibility of endurance and spiritual steadiness. The poem’s lesson is not one of triumph or escape, but of quiet moral clarity: in a world full of emotional storms, one must learn to persist with dignity, like the old man by the pond.