Az Eszterházy Károly Tanárképző Főiskola Tudományos Közleményei. 2004. Vol. 4. Eger Journal of English Studies. (Acta Academiae Paedagogicae Agriensis : Nova series ; Tom. 30)

PÉTER DOLMÁNYOS Wordsworth and the Mountains: The Crossing of the Alps and the Ascent to Snowdon

Wordsworth and the Mountains: The Crossing of the Alps. 25 The passage describing the ascent of Snowdon begins with a very short reference to the intention of the poet to see the sunrise from the top of the mountain. This expedition is not part of a longer journey: unlike the crossing of the Alps, it is not preceded by any other experience. The introduction part is very short as Wordsworth shortly states his aim and provides some necessary details and the description of the actual climbing begins. Wordsworth narrates the event in his usual manner and the accuracy of physical details provides the reader with the sense of reference. There is a strong emphasis on the darkness against which the experience takes place: It was a close, warm, breezeless summer night, Wan, dull, and glaring, with a dripping fog Low-hung and thick that covered all the sky; ... (511, 11. 11-13) It is night but the darkness is further enhanced by the fog. They soon become embraced and concealed in the mist; yet it is not only the mist that girts them round but their own minds as well: "pensively we sank / Each into commerce with his private thoughts" (511, 11. 517-518). There is only one incident that diverts attention from their own thoughts: the dog finds a hedgehog and attempts to tease it. Apart from this there are no digressions; the travellers continue their way and Wordsworth goes on with his narrative. The march upwards is almost a militant one: With forehead bent Earthward, as if in opposition set Against an enemy, I panted up With eager pace, and no less eager thoughts. (511-513, 11. 28-31) Their attention is turned inwards and downwards as they are absorbed in their thoughts and whatever little attention is left is turned towards the ground. The surprise consequently comes to Wordsworth from below though its source is above: .. .instantly a light upon the turf Fell like a flash, and lo! as I looked up, The Moon hung naked in a firmament Of azure without cloud, and at my feet Rested a silent sea of hoary mist. (513, 11. 38-42) The vision comes as a "flash" and it rises and descends at the same time: he notices the light an the ground but he has to look up to see the whole sight. In the short space of these lines Wordsworth finds the means to connect the earth with the sky, and the description of the whole sight follows. The fog enwrapping them at the foot of the mountain is transformed into an "ocean", and this ocean stretches out over the landscape to make a