Question

Why does the poet, encourage the moon to shine upon his sister, and the wind to blow against her?

• A. She loves nature
• B. She needs poetic inspiration
• C. She may find solace in her future sadness of fear.
• D. She is a budding poet.

Answer 1

Answer:

C. She may find solace in her future sadness of fear.

In “Lines Composed a Few Miles Above Tintern Abbey”, Wordsworth addresses his sister, Dorothy, with deep affection. He encourages the moon to shine upon her and the wind to blow against her not just for beauty, but so that Nature may comfort her in the future, especially during times of grief, fear, or sadness.

Lines from the poem:

“Therefore let the moon
Shine on thee in thy solitary walk,
And let the misty mountain winds be free
To blow against thee: and, in after years,
When these wild ecstasies shall be matured
Into a sober pleasure; when thy mind
Shall be a mansion for all lovely forms,
Thy memory be as a dwelling-place
For all sweet sounds and harmonies...”

This means he hopes that Nature will be a source of strength and healing for her, just as it has been for him.