Wordsworth Poetic Process

Wordsworth defines poetry as “the spontaneous overfl ow of powerful

feelings’’ and its origin is in “emotion recollected in tranquility.’’ At the first
glance, the two contentions may seem contradictory. Because, spontaneity is a forward
process while recollection is a backward process. Therefore, how the spontaneous poetry is
originated from recollected emotion is a question.

There are four stages in the process of poetic creation. These are observation,
recollection, contemplation, composition.

Observation:
First, comes the phase where observation or perception of some event/character/object
plays its part. The observed incident sets up powerful emotions in the sensible mind of
the poet.

Recollection:

Next, comes the contemplation and speculation phase in which the emotion associated
with a particular event are recollected in the mind of the poet. Memory in this stage
plays an important role by bringing out what has been lying in the subconscious for a
long period of time.

Filtering:

The third phase comprises the filtering process of the recollected emotion and feelings.
In this process, the poet re-evaluates his emotions and removes the non-essential and
vulgar elements. Poet then gives his experience a communicable form, which can be
comprehended by all men.

COMPOSITION:

Composition is the fourth stage when the actual composition begins. The poet seeks
to convey his emotions through print and turns into a communicator. In the words of
Wordsworth he becomes a man speaking to men. What is important to him is not just
expressing his joy but sharing it with his readers.

Thus at the moment of creation, the tranquility is replaced by spontaneous emotional

excitement of powerful feelings.