The Power of Memories

Wordsworth’s poem dwells on the lasting power and beauty of memories. Focusing on the majesty and splendor of nature, Wordsworth initially recounts his experiences and the surroundings of Tintern Abbey. Though five long years have passed, the memories have remained with him. Dwelling in vivid memory of Tintern Abby, Wordsworth recounts it as a place of genuine rest and peace. In essence, Wordsworth acknowledges the power of “the picture the mind revives again.” The moments we live through in our lives stay with us, some more than others, as we focus on the good memories; and we often go back to them in the hard times. Wordsworth wrote, “I have owed to them in hours of weariness, sensations sweet, felt in the blood, and felt along the heart.” At the times in our lives devoid of peace and happiness we recount those memories of rest and tranquility, just as Wordsworth does in Tintern Abbey. The memories of his childhood and the visits have shaped his interpretation and appreciation for memories as a man.