William Wordsworth's "Michael"

Paper Summary:

This paper discusses the triangular relationship between father, son and land, which Wordsworth eulogizes in "Michael." The paper states that Wordsworth is expressing an imagined nostalgia for a time when strong men, such as Michael, toiled on their own land for their livelihoods but halfheartedly accepted that the changes in society have been unavoidable. The author feels that Wordsworth seems to be making a connection between himself and future generation of poets, a connection similar to the relationship between Michael and Luke.

From the Paper:

"In order to avoid selling his lands, Michael suggests that he should send his son Lucas to work with a well-to-do relative, so that Lucas can send money back home and Michael can keep from parting with his property. Michael's idea was that "[h]e quickly will repair this loss, and then/He may return to us." Thus, he would send Luke away to work off his own debts, and then have his son to help him in the field, once again. But when Michael speaks to Luke about his impending journey, he senses that Luke will in all likelihood not return. He tells Luke: "This was a work for us; and now, my Son, /It is a work for me." "

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