Discussion of "Simon Lee"

Refer to p. 222 in your textbook

Instructor's Introductory Information

• Author: Romantic Poet William Wordsworth
• From Wordsworth and Coleridge's poetry collection, Lyrical Ballads
• Preface to Lyrical Ballads proposed principles for a "new poetry" antithetical to Age of Reason poetry
• Enlightenment theorists saw poetry dealing with nature, rustic subjects, and expression of personal emotions as "lower" forms of poetry
• Wordsworth argues that the best poetry comes from natural, emotional responses
• Consider how "Simon Lee" exemplifies the principles of Wordsworth's "new poetry"

Next we'll discuss the poem . . .