Daffodils (Important notes & meaning)

Line by line explanation

Simple explanation of the poem "Daffodils" by William Wordsworth, line by line.

👉This poem celebrates the beauty of nature and how a simple sight can bring lasting joy and inspiration to the poet.

1. **I wandered lonely as a cloud** - The poet describes himself wandering aimlessly like a cloud.

2. **That floats on high o'er vales and hills** - The cloud moves freely over valleys and mountains.

3. **When all at once I saw a crowd** - Suddenly, the poet sees a large group of daffodils.

4. **A host, of golden daffodils** - The daffodils are numerous and golden in color.

5. **Beside the lake, beneath the trees** - They are growing beside a lake under the shade of trees.

6. **Fluttering and dancing in the breeze** - The daffodils are moving and swaying in the wind.

7. **Continuous as the stars that shine** - They stretch in a continuous line, much like how stars fill the sky.

8. **And twinkle on the milky way** - Just like stars twinkle in the Milky Way galaxy.

9. **They stretched in never-ending line** - The daffodils seem to spread endlessly.

10. **Along the margin of a bay** - They grow along the edge of a bay or a lake.

11. **Ten thousand saw I at a glance** - The poet sees thousands of daffodils all at once.

12. **Tossing their heads in sprightly dance** - The daffodils seem to dance energetically.

13. **The waves beside them danced; but they** - The waves of the lake also seem to dance, but not as gracefully as the daffodils.

14. **Out-did the sparkling waves in glee** - The daffodils outshine the sparkling waves in their happiness.

15. **A poet could not but be gay** - The poet cannot help but feel joyful.

16. **In such a jocund company** - Surrounded by such cheerful companions (the daffodils).

17. **I gazed—and gazed—but little thought** - The poet continues to look at the scene, not thinking much at that moment.

18. **What wealth the show to me had brought** - Later realizing the richness and beauty this sight has brought to him.

19. **For oft, when on my couch I lie** - Sometimes, when he's lying on his couch.

20. **In vacant or in pensive mood** - Whether he's empty-minded or thoughtful.

21. **They flash upon that inward eye** - The memory of the daffodils flashes in his mind.

22. **Which is the bliss of solitude** - Bringing him happiness in his moments of solitude.

23. **And then my heart with pleasure fills** - His heart fills with joy.

24. **And dances with the daffodils** - As if he's dancing with the daffodils himself.

Word meanings

📜 Stanza 1

1.Wandered– Walked without any fixed path or aim

2. Cloud – A white or grey mass in the sky

3. O'er – (Poetic form of *over*) – Above

4. Vales– Valleys (low land between hills)

5. Hills – Raised parts of land

6. Host – A large number or group

7. Daffodils – Yellow flowers that bloom in spring

8. Beside – Next to

9. Lake – A large body of still water

10. Beneath – Under

11. Trees – Tall plants with trunks

12. Fluttering – Moving lightly and quickly (like a bird or flag in the wind)

13. Dancing – Moving happily or rhythmically

📜 Stanza 2

14. Continuous– Going on without stopping

15. Milky way – A group of stars that look like a band in the sky

16. Stretched – Spread out

17. Never-ending – Without end

18. Line – A row

19. Along – In a line following something

20. Margin– Edge or border

21. Bay – A part of the sea or lake surrounded by land

22. Ten thousand – A large number (used poetically, not exact)

23. Glance – Look quickly

24. Tossing – Moving up and down or side to side

25. Heads – The tops of the daffodils (imagined like human heads)

📜 Stanza 3

26. Sprightly – Full of energy and life

27. Dance– Joyful movement

28. Waves – Moving water

29. Beside – Next to

30. Out-did – Did better than

31. Sparkling– Shining with light or excitement

32. Glee– Great joy or happiness

33. Jocund – Cheerful and joyful

34. Company – Being with others (group of people or flowers)

35. Gazed– Looked steadily and long

36. What wealth – (Poetic) What great value or treasure

37. Show – Display or sight

38. To me had brought– Given to me (in mind or memory)

📜 Stanza 4

39. Oft – Often

40. Vacant – Empty (without thoughts or activity)

41. Pensive– Quiet and thoughtful

42. Mood – Emotional state or feeling

43. Flash – Sudden image or memory

44. Inward eye – Imagination or memory (the mind's eye)

45. Bliss – Extreme happiness

46. Solitude – The state of being alone

47. Pleasure– A feeling of happiness

48. Heart – (Poetic) The center of feelings

49. Dances with the daffodils – Imagines or feels joy with the daffodils again

🌼 MCQs on "Daffodils" by William Wordsworth🌼

1. Who is the speaker in the poem "Daffodils"?**

A) A traveler

B) A birdwatcher

C) The poet himself

D) A gardener

👉 Answer: C) The poet himself**

2. What was the poet doing when he saw the daffodils?**

A) Dancing

B) Reading a book

C) Wandering lonely

D) Sleeping under a tree

👉 Answer: C) Wandering lonely**

3. The daffodils are compared to which natural object?**

A) Mountains

B) Stars in the Milky Way

C) Clouds in the sky

D) Snowflakes on trees

👉 Answer: B) Stars in the Milky Way**

4. What is the poet’s mood before he sees the daffodils?**

A) Joyful

B) Thoughtful

C) Lonely and sad

D) Excited

👉 Answer: C) Lonely and sad**

5. What effect did the sight of the daffodils have on the poet later?**

A) It made him forget everything

B) It gave him strength

C) It brought him peace and joy in solitude

D) It made him sleep

👉 Answer: C) It brought him peace and joy in solitude**

6. What figure of speech is used in “I wandered lonely as a cloud”?**

A) Simile

B) Metaphor

C) Alliteration

D) Personification

👉 Answer: A) Simile**

7. What does the phrase “inward eye” refer to?**

A) The poet’s imagination or memory

B) A mirror

C) The third eye

D) A dream

👉 Answer: A) The poet’s imagination or memory

8. What do the daffodils symbolize in the poem?

A) Wealth and fame

B) Nature's beauty and joy

C) War and peace

D) Wisdom

👉 Answer: B) Nature's beauty and joy**

9. How many daffodils does the poet see?**

A) Five

B) Hundreds

C) Ten thousand

D) Twenty

👉 Answer: C) Ten thousand**

10. What does the poet mean by “a poet could not but be gay”?**

A) A poet could not sing

B) A poet would be happy in such a joyful scene

C) A poet should cry

D) A poet would write a sad poem

👉 Answer: B) A poet would be happy in such a joyful scene

Practice

1. Who is the speaker in the poem "Daffodils"?