Wordsworth's Biblical ghosts
Book Description
This scholarly exploration reveals how William Wordsworth drew profound spiritual inspiration from biblical texts, weaving sacred themes into the fabric of his poetic vision. Deeanne Westbrook examines the intricate ways Wordsworth transformed scriptural languages, imagery, and narrative structures into a distinctive poetic voice that speaks to the divine within human experience.
The study illuminates how Wordsworth's creative process mirrors the New Testament concept of Incarnation, where the sacred becomes manifest in earthly form through his verse. Westbrook traces the poet's innovative adaptations of biblical storytelling traditions, including etymological tales that explore the origins of meaning, parables that convey spiritual truths through everyday experiences, and mystical allegories that point toward transcendent realities.
Particularly fascinating is the analysis of Wordsworth's approach to biblical apocalypse, where he develops unique linguistic techniques to express what typically remains beyond words. Through careful revision and reimagining, the poet finds ways to articulate the ineffable and reveal profound emptiness as a gateway to understanding.
For readers interested in the intersection of spirituality and literature, this work offers insights into how sacred texts can inspire contemporary spiritual expression. Westbrook's examination demonstrates how ancient wisdom traditions continue to inform modern seekers' attempts to capture and communicate their deepest spiritual experiences through creative expression.
Who Is This For?
📖 Reading Level: Medium (200-400 pages) (~7 hours)
📄 Length: 244 pages
What You'll Discover
- ✓ Explore Religion
- ✓ Explore Religious poetry, history and criticism
- ✓ Explore History
- ✓ Study Bible from spiritual perspective
- ✓ Explore Wordsworth, william, 1770-1850
- ✓ Explore English Religious poetry
- ✓ Explore In literature
- ✓ Explore Bible
