Chapter: 02. Great Wide Beautiful Wonderful World
A. Answer these questions.
How does the first stanza describe the water’s appearance around the World? The first stanza describes the water as “wonderful water round you curled.” Beyond shaking trees, what practical use does the wonderful wind have, according to the poem? According to the poem, the wonderful wind “whirls the mills,” indicating its use in powering machinery. What does the phrase “people upon you for thousands of miles” suggest about human presence on Earth? It suggests that human beings are spread across vast distances and large populations inhabit the Earth. In the final stanza, what specific event happened before the speaker heard the encouraging whisper? Before hearing the encouraging whisper, the speaker said his/her prayers. B. Answer these questions with reference to the context.
“World, you are beautifully drest.”
a. What literary device is primarily used in this line to describe the World?
* The primary literary device used is personification, as the World is given the human quality of being “drest” or dressed.
b. How does this line contribute to the poem’s overall tone of appreciation?
* This line vividly portrays the Earth as a magnificent, adorned entity, immediately establishing a tone of deep admiration and wonder for its natural beauty. “And talks to itself on the tops of the hills.”
a. Which natural element is being described as “talking to itself”?
* The natural element being described as “talking to itself” is the “wonderful wind.”
b. What kind of sound or feeling might “talking to itself” evoke for the reader?
* It might evoke a soft, murmuring, or rustling sound, creating a feeling of gentle mystery or the constant, unseen presence of nature. C. Think and answer.
How does the poet use the word “wonderful” repeatedly to build a sense of awe in the first two stanzas, and what effect does this repetition have on the reader? The poet strategically repeats “wonderful” five times in the first two stanzas (Wonderful World, wonderful water, wonderful grass, wonderful air, wonderful wind). This repetition acts as an insistent declaration of awe and amazement, emphasizing the speaker’s profound appreciation for every aspect of the natural world. For the reader, this repetition reinforces the positive and admiring tone, making them more likely to share the speaker’s sense of wonder and perceive these everyday elements as truly extraordinary. The poem encourages readers to reflect on their own place in the vast world. How can appreciating both the smallness of oneself and the unique abilities of human beings (love and thought) help a person feel more connected to the world? Appreciating one’s physical smallness can foster humility and a sense of being part of something much larger, connecting us to the vastness of the universe. Simultaneously, recognizing our unique abilities to love and think gives us a profound purpose and responsibility within that vastness. This dual perspective allows us to feel connected not just as physical beings existing on Earth, but as conscious, emotional beings capable of understanding, appreciating, and caring for the world, making our connection deeper and more meaningful. The poem was written by William Brighty Rands, a “laureate of the nursery.” Discuss how the simple language, clear imagery, and positive message of “Great, Wide, Beautiful, Wonderful World” make it suitable for elementary/middle school children. “Great, Wide, Beautiful, Wonderful World” is exceptionally suitable for elementary/middle school children due to its accessible language and straightforward sentence structures, making it easy to read and comprehend. The poem’s clear and vivid imagery, such as water curling or wheat-fields nodding, creates engaging mental pictures that resonate with young imaginations. Furthermore, its positive and empowering message, culminating in the idea that children can love and think (unlike the Earth), is inspiring and helps build self-esteem. The consistent rhyme scheme also adds a musical quality, making it enjoyable for read-alouds and memorization, typical qualities of effective nursery rhymes and children’s literature.