Quote:
"We poets in our youth begin in gladness,
But thereof come in the end despondency and madness"(Wordsworth 567).
Response:
This quote grabbed me as I believe that Wordsworth summed up the stark contrast between a youthful outlook and adult reality, not just for poets but for people in all walks of life. Children tend to look at life through rose-colored glasses. They have very little responsibility and their biggest worry is whether or not they will have enough time to play after dinner. Adulthood eliminates such innocence through sudden independence, responsibility, and daily stress.
Just today my 13 year old son asked me why adults sometimes act like children. I had to explain to him that if we didn't, we might blow a gasket. I told him that an occasional flirt with childhood is necessary for adults because of the enormous daily strain which accompanies adulthood. I added that some just forget to return to reality.
No wonder poetry written by adults is frequently dark and depressing. Daily life can drive us quite mad at times! Wordsworth hit harsh reality square on the head with this one.
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