The Stream of Life "is Lucy Newton's in-depth exploration of Wordsworth's life and creation in 1802, depicting the complex emotions between the poet and the people around him through poetic form. Newren is a professor at the University of Oxford and an expert in romantic poetry research. He has written multiple related monographs and personal poetry collections. Richard Holmes emphasized the importance of 1802 to Wordsworth in the preface, which was the year of his marriage and had a profound impact on his life and creativity.

1、 Background of complex relationships

Wordsworth's early life was full of twists and turns. His mother passed away early, and after his father's death, he and his sister Dorothy went through foster care. During his time at Cambridge University, Wordsworth was influenced by the French Revolution and later met Annette Walloon in France, where he had a daughter named Caroline. Due to the deterioration of Anglo French relations, Wordsworth was unable to reunite with his family and began to travel around the UK. He settled in the Lake District with his sister Dorothy and met Mary Hutchinson and Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the latter of whom became his important literary partner. Wordsworth and Coleridge collaborated to publish the "Lyrical Ballad Collection" and created parts of the "Overture" while traveling in Germany. After returning to England, the Wordsworth siblings established a deep relationship with the Hutchinson family, and Wordsworth developed feelings for Mary Hutchinson. In 1802, Wordsworth's life and creations underwent significant changes as he began revising "The Ruined Farmhouse" and preparing to marry Mary, while also dealing with his relationship with Annette and daughter. This year, Wordsworth's personal life and literary creation reached a climax.

2、 The Origin of Sonnets

Deeply explored Wordsworth's preference for the sonnet style and his creative practice in 1802. Wordsworth chose sonnets to record his life and emotions, partly because he developed a strong interest in this poetic form in 1802, particularly influenced by Milton's sonnets; On the other hand, Wordsworth created a large number of sonnets throughout his life and is considered one of the most prolific sonnets poets in England. Wordsworth not only appreciated the social function of Milton's sonnets, but also endowed them with profound emotional value, believing that this poetic form can convey rich ideas and emotions within a limited space. In 1802, Wordsworth wrote several famous sonnets, such as "At Westminster Bridge" and "By the Sea," which reflected his profound observations of society and personal life at the time. Newton's poetry collection "The Stream of Life" showcases his close connection with Milton's sonnets through Wordsworth's perspective, and how he incorporates this poetic style into his own creations. The multiple works in the poetry collection reveal the complex relationships between Wordsworth and his family, friends, and literary peers, and how these relationships influenced his poetry creation.

3、 Love sprouting and economic independence

The relationship between Wordsworth and Mary Hutchinson developed rapidly in 1802, and the two discussed plans for a wedding and a trip to France. Dorothy recorded the scene of them seeing daffodils in the "Grassmere Diary", which later inspired Wordsworth to create "Narcissus". Newton's poem "Dorothy's Observations: April 15, 1802" implies that Mary will become an important figure in Wordsworth's life. Wordsworth's anxiety and guilt are reflected in "William the Anxious". Economic independence was another reason for their marriage, and the financial situation of the Wordsworth family improved in May 1802, thanks to the inheritance of James Lawser. This plot is reflected in 'William Trying to Accept Good News: June 20th'. The improvement in economic conditions also influenced Wordsworth's poetry creation, such as the revision of "Perseverance and Independence". Wordsworth revised his poetry in the summer of 1802, and Dorothy's diary and Wordsworth's letters provided insights into the poetry revision. Wordsworth emphasized the elderly's resilience and independence, as well as their own sense of responsibility and maturity in the revision. Newton's poems "William: The Revision of 'The Old Man Who Gathers the Leeches', June 14th" and "Dorothy: The Change in William's Heart" describe Wordsworth's process of revising poetry and his inner transformation.

4、 Dorothy and John

In depth exploration of the profound emotions between Wordsworth and his sister Dorothy that go beyond the ordinary sibling relationship, and how this relationship influenced Wordsworth's poetry creation. Dorothy is not only Wordsworth's emotional pillar, but also the source of his creative inspiration. Through poems such as "William: On Sharing Memories," Wordsworth expressed his gratitude towards Dorothy, believing that she endowed him with the talent of a poet. In 'The Children in the Woods', Wordsworth depicted the brother and sister's tacit understanding and resonance in nature. Dorothy's anxiety and worries about the future before her wedding are reflected in 'Dawn of the Farm: September', while Newren portrays Dorothy's emotional breakdown on her wedding day from a female perspective. Newton also criticized Wordsworth's behavior through works such as "A Wedding: October 4th" and expressed sympathy for Dorothy through Coleridge's words.

5、 Coleridge

1802 marked the end of the friendship between Coleridge and Wordsworth, mainly manifested in differences in poetics. Coleridge expressed his nostalgia for the beautiful times of the past in "The Nightingale," while Wordsworth advised Coleridge to focus on creation in "Wordsworth's Request for Friends. The disagreement between the two began to emerge when the "Lyrical Ballad Collection" was reissued. Wordsworth hoped to publish it under his personal name, while Coleridge supported it. However, some of Wordsworth's actions, such as commenting on "The Ode to the Ancient Boatman" and replacing "Crystal Bell," made Coleridge dissatisfied. Coleridge expressed his protest against Wordsworth's betrayal of friendship in "Coleridge's Accusations". Wordsworth's new romance also sparked public opposition from Coleridge, who published "Ode to Despair" on Wordsworth's wedding day and a satirical short poem "The Dark Spot of the Sun" a week later. Although Wordsworth was angry about Coleridge's actions, he still hoped for reconciliation. Coleridge candidly expressed his jealousy towards Wordsworth in "Coleridge Speaks the Most Terrifying Fear".

6、 Conclusion

The Stream of Life presents the complex relationships between Wordsworth and five key figures through poetic form, which are deeply explored in Newren's monograph. In 1802, Wordsworth's marriage to Mary Hutchinson became a turning point that influenced his relationships with Annette, Dorothy, John, and Coleridge, marking profound personal and emotional changes.