Wordsworth's Thanksgiving Ode in Context

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Wordsworth’s ‘Thanksgiving Ode’ articulates the poet’s reflections on the conclusion of the Napoleonic Wars. Often regarded as Wordsworth’s most contentious poem, it has faced extensive criticism for its perceived bellicosity, especially the infamous line addressed to God: “Yea, Carnage is thy Daughter.” However, Richard Gravil contends that the poem is, in fact, a rigorous exercise in Christian Thanksgiving, fitting for the end of two decades of global conflict. Contrary to accusations of bellicosity, the poem's tone is contemplative and self-examining, aligning with Wordsworth’s description of the Battle of Waterloo as “a hideous rout.” Grounded in Old Testament themes, the poem resonates with the many sermons delivered on January 18, 1816, a ‘Day Appointed for a General Thanksgiving.’

In "Wordsworth’s Thanksgiving Ode in Context: A Bicentennial Reading," Richard Gravil offers an in-depth analysis of this controversial poem. He argues against its notorious reputation, particularly challenging the interpretation of the line “Yea, Carnage is thy Daughter,” and instead presents it as a profound expression of Christian gratitude. Gravil contextualizes the Ode within its historical and religious milieu, drawing parallels to contemporary sermons that addressed similar themes of war and divine intervention. This scholarly work illuminates the introspective and reflective qualities of Wordsworth’s meditation on war and peace, making it an essential resource for those interested in Romantic poetry, historical context, and theological interpretations in literature.

author

Richard Gravil was Secretary of the Wordsworth Conference Foundation and Director of the Summer Conference 2007-2010, and of the Wordsworth Winter School. He wrote Romantic Dialogues: Anglo-American Continuities, 1776-1862 (2000), of Wordsworth's Bardic Vocation, 1787-1842 (2003), and of Wordsworth and Helen Maria Williams; or, the Perils of Sensibility (2010). He edited or co-edited nine books, including collections of essays on Coleridge, Swift, Wordsworth, Anglo-American Poetry and Nineteenth Century Fiction.