The analysis of "Tables Turned" and "Buonaparte" brings into focus the important points that make up Wordsworth's political views. His consistent criticism of the Enlightenment, rationalization, modernization, and the French Revolution demonstrates his belief that the path towards rationalization of society has brought greater adverse rather than beneficial effects. In the texts that follow, the main themes that emerged from the analysis of the two poems are discussed exclusively to provide greater understanding of Wordsworth's political ideology between the periods 18th and 19th centuries. These themes are identified as follows: the French Revolution, tyranny as a consequence of misguided need to attain individual freedom, the fall of human society as it succumbed to modernization and rationalization, and lastly, the path towards savagery instead of social progress as a result of political conflict that emerged during the Enlightenment period.
The first theme that is implicitly, yet powerfully conveyed in both poems is the outcome of the French Revolution. For Wordsworth, the seemingly powerful revolution of the masses has resulted to disillusionment and hopelessness instead of building a stronger republic and society in France. Reflecting on these realities in his life during the latter part of the 18th century, the poet expresses through "Buonaparte" his 'renouncement' of "revolutionary rationalism," and instead advocated for a life governed by "quietism, skepticism, and self-confessed nature-worship" (Mortensen, 2000). In his attempt to seek an alternative to discovering a more meaningful understanding of human life, Wordsworth's poems illustrate how he found meaning in life through Nature and traditionalist society rather than a rationalistic society that brought nothing but ruin to society (as in the case of France).
It is also inevitable that in discussing the French Revolution, Wordsworth also puts this event in the context of Bonaparte's rule as prime leader of France. His criticism of Bonaparte is symbolic of his criticism of the Enlightenment, for it is through Bonaparte's leadership that France began its ascent towards rationalization and modernization. Through the lesson that the whole world had learned with the fall of French society after the French Revolution, he proves to his readers in "Buonaparte" that the leader's downfall is considered also as the downfall of human society. How, in his attempt to achieve greater power, influence, and wealth all over France and Europe, he had instead received political downfall. This is evidence of how, social progress through material progress instead of social interaction and communion...
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people of all ages and backgrounds. Literature, like any historical document, allows reader to gain a larger understanding of cultures, history, society, and politics. Furthermore, literature helps to instill the reader with the ability to read and understand complex concepts and enables them to develop critical thinking skills. One of the most fascinating things about literature is the structure of what is written and how that structure has evolved over
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