Lines Written in Early Spring
By William Wordsworth

I heard a thousand blended notes,
While in a grove I sate reclined,
In that sweet mood when pleasant thoughts
Bring sad thoughts to the mind.

To her fair works did Nature link
The human soul that through me ran;
And much it grieved my heart to think
What man has made of man.

Through primrose tufts, in that green bower,
The periwinkle trailed its wreaths;
And 'tis my faith that every flower
Enjoys the air it breathes.

The birds around me hopped and played,
Their thoughts I cannot measure: --
But the least motion which they made,
It seemed a thrill of pleasure.

The budding twigs spread out their fan,
To catch the breezy air;
And I must think, do all I can,
That there was pleasure there.

If this belief from heaven be sent,
If such be Nature's holy plan,
Have I not reason to lament
What man has made of man?

Nature is a part of humanity. Without nature, humans would simply not exist. Our interconnectedness to air, water, plants, and animal life is what keeps us alive. Mankind, however, has chosen a path of ignorance more often than not to the very surroundings that sustain it. William Wordsworth, a romantic poet in the late eighteenth century, wrote many works discussing similar themes, one poem being “Lines Written in Early Spring”. This particular poem discusses the pleasures of nature contrasted with the corruption of humanity. He links nature to the human soul, which can educate him in ways that humans can not. Following this train of thought, it is a wonder that nature itself does not play a stronger role in the Education system. As Wordsworth is taught through the nature that surrounds him in his poem, perhaps all should consider the lessons that can be learned through our natural surroundings. Nature should be a part of the Education system: to show students the connectivity and dependence they have with nature, to learn from nature itself, and to connect students to their individual spirituality.

Whether a person is a firm believer of the creation of the world by a divine being: God, or that mankind evolved by chance – or perhaps an integration of the two, which is not uncommon – it is no secret that nature was here first and has directly shaped the way that humans are made. Humans are molded by their environment: in the way that they eat, dress, breath, and go about their daily lives. Although subjects in school such as biology are devoted to studying the various processes of the world, there is no allotted time spent directly in nature. As Wordsworth is describing his poem, he is surrounded by the beauty and brilliance of the natural world. This setting allows him to view all the various connections: the trees, the flowers, the air and the birds. There is something educational about simply observing these natural processes. This could show students how connected they are to nature and how it impacts them, or perhaps more importantly, how they impact it. This awareness could bring virtues such as simplicity and humility into the hearts of the next generation. It could allow for a general appreciation of nature, which gives answers to why environmental awareness and action are so important.

Wordsworth says: “If this belief from heaven be sent” (“belief” being his philosophical thoughts admiring the pleasures of nature, contrasting with his melancholy pondering of “what man has made of man””) which implies that nature itself is a Teacher. In fact, other poems by Wordsworth, such as “The Tables Turned” relay this same thought more bluntly, saying: “Come forth into the light of things / Let Nature be your Teacher”. This notion of nature as teacher can be supported and incorporated into the Education system. Just as Wordsworth, surrounded by nature, describes what he is seeing around him, students could make their own such descriptions, actively benefiting their literary development. Similarly, students could directly observe what they are learning about in biology – things like photosynthesis, and food chains. Since ultimately nature is where education has come from, providing us with angles, resources to build with, environmental models of housing, and so forth, it should not be left out of the learning process. It could connect what students learn in the classroom to a physical and hands on approach, benefiting different learning styles.

Perhaps of most importance, nature could serve as a link to each student’s spiritual needs. Although physical, intellectual, social, and emotional needs are actively addressed within the Education system, the spiritual aspect is often forgotten, or pushed aside. As it can be obscure and taken from many angles, perhaps teachers are afraid to talk about it at all. However, the definition of spiritual does not have to be related to the controversial, egg-shell sensitive topic of religion. As Wordsworth says, “To her fair works did Nature link / The human soul that through me ran” connecting nature to the soul. It is hard to ignore the peace, joy, and awe that overcome an observer of nature. Students should be questioning what humanities role is in the grand scheme of things: what has gone right, and what has gone wrong. The understanding that they are a small piece in a big world can bring the attitude of humility; mankind is not the be all and end all of the world. This spiritual fulfillment could give the students what they need, highlighting their place in the world and their very important role within it.

In this urban world of increasing technology, it is easy to forget about nature. Humans come to think that it is by their own doing that they are alive and well. However, in the words of David Suzuki, “[i]t is nature that cleanses water, creates air, decomposes sewage, absorbs garbage, generates electricity and produces food”. Nature is what has brought us our resources, and, combined with the intellectual abilities of humans, has enabled us to be educated in subjects such as physics and literature. This is why the Education system should make time spent in nature a requirement, a class, and a credit. If the world wants to create awareness of global environmental issues, the place to start is with the upcoming generations. If education could create environmental appreciation, and connect students to nature and even to their own souls – as opposed to being able to view their direct choices as set apart from impacting the world around them – perhaps a more positive future will come to be. Wordsworth wonders “what man has made of man”. The separation of humans from the nature that birthed them, so to speak, is arguably more damaging than helpful. Technology needs to be laid aside for a few moments; humans need to find their connections with nature again. Wordsworth let his human soul be confronted by what has molded this species into what it is. The rest of the world should as well. After all, it must be noted that the world would keep spinning – benefited, even – without the influence of mankind. Mankind could not live without nature.