Wandering Lonely? The True Story of Wordsworth's Daffodils

Wordsworth’s Daffodils is one of the most famous poems in the English language. Frequently anthologised and often quoted, it’s the poetic equivalent of Constable’s Hay Wain; it is instantly recognisable, even by people who don’t like poetry. Its life beyond the page includes being used to advertise a famous beer and being performed as a rap by a giant squirrel.

This lecture takes us back in time to tell the true, and often surprising, story of Wordsworth’s best-known poem. We begin by exploring its creation; far from being the work of a lone genius, it was the result of collaboration between Wordsworth and his family; in particular, his sister Dorothy. We learn how the poem challenged its first readers and explore the story of its increasing fame, including the role the poem has played in Lakeland literary tourism. Finally, we consider the poem’s relevance to our lives today, at a time when we are increasingly turning to nature for consolation and delight.

THE ARTS SOCIETY ACCREDITED LECTURER

Miss Annalie Talent

Following a career in teaching, Annalie spent several years working on education programmes at museums and literary houses across the UK, including the Wordsworth Trust, Grasmere; Wordsworth House in Cockermouth; Jane Austen’s House in Hampshire; and the Ashmolean Museum in Oxford. At Jane Austen’s House, Annalie won 2 Sandford Awards for Excellence in Heritage Education; she also worked with the British Library, the Bodleian Library, and Chawton House Library in promoting Austen’s work to young people.

Annalie’s lectures focus on aspects of Romantic and Victorian literature. She uses her knowledge and personal experience of literary houses - and their collections - to offer a unique perspective on writers and their works. She is particularly interested in the material culture of writers’ lives, including the quirky and interesting; from the collar worn by Emily Bronte’s dog, Keeper, to William Wordsworth’s ice-skates.

Not all lectures are currently available via zoom - please get in touch for further details.