 William Wordsworth's poem, "Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent's Narrow Room"  discusses the different situations of multiple people during their typical work day.  This poem touches upon the common idea that structure and limitations are meant to suppress the abilities of humans but instead,  help these people work to their full potential.  Lines 13-14 of this poem specifically discuss this point, saying,  "Who have felt the weight of too much liberty,  / Should find brief solace there,  as I have found."  Wordsworth argues that these restrictions, in contrast to liberties, have only helped his work by helping him find comfort within the boundaries set for him.

 Wordsworth never stops pointing back to his main argument, even the title playing a role in identifying the main point.  The title implies that even though most people would be upset at the small living spaces of the nuns,  the nuns are actually content with their conditions.  The common feelings of the audience and the feelings of the nuns towards the room are opposites,  providing a good contrast contributing to the main idea that Wordsworth makes later on in the poem.  The title of the poem is also repeated in the first line of the poem.  The repetition sets the importance of this idea to the rest of the poem.

 Wordsworth wrote this poem in sonnet form, ending in a couplet, enhancing the idea that the structure that a sonnet provides, endows him with a sense of comfort.  In the poem itself,  he discusses why he uses the sonnet form, explaining in lines 9-11,  "and hence for me, / In sundry moods,  'twas pastime to be bound / Within the Sonnet's scanty plot of ground;" acts as direct indication that Wordsworth wrote in sonnet form simply because he enjoys the format.  He finds  "brief solace" (Wordsworth, line 14)  in the sonnet style because he does not want the stress of having too much freedom in his writing.

Wordsworth's words often have multiple connotations.  Wordsworth makes use of personification in lines 5-7,  "bees that soar for bloom,  High as the highest Peak of Furness-fells,  Will murmur by the hour in foxglove bells."  He gives the bees human-like qualities,  speaking of their "murmur."  He does this in order to make the audience feel as though the poem is alive, encouraging them to connect with what's its main message is. The bees help the reader picture the scene in their mind and take in every detail. Wordsworth uses the word 'murmur' because it is comforting, correlating to the feeling provided by structure.

  Wordsworth also makes use of oxymorons.  For example, in line 13 he speaks of "the weight of too much liberty."  Normally,  humankind wouldn't feel the "weight" of liberty,  they would feel free.  Wordsworth does this to illustrate the added pressure of having freedom.  Lastly,  he uses irony.  Wordsworth produces this throughout the whole poem, describing each person's reaction to their situation,  implying that it is different than the way anyone else would react.  One example of this is, "the weaver at his loom, / Sit blithe and happy" (Wordsworth, lines 4-5). This provides a sense of irony because most workers do not feel carefree while doing their jobs.

Throughout "Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent's Narrow Rooms,"  readers do experience a shift in Line 8.  The poem becomes more focused and the rhyme scheme changes.  The poem goes from talking about all sorts of individuals and their workplaces,  to Wordsworth specifically.  This begins in lines 8-9 when he says,  "In the truth the prison,  unto which we doom / Ourselves,  no prison is:  and hence for me,"  when he shifts the focus onto himself.  The rhyme scheme transfers from  'aabbaabba'  to  'cddccd,'  also indicating that the shift is taking place. This shift is important because it shifts from the common perception to the truth.

It is very important to identify that the speaker in this poem is in fact,  William Wordsworth himself.  This is shown in line 9 when Wordsworth states,  "and hence for me,"  referring to himself.  The examples of other people in different situations and the example of himself in his own situation help tie in not only a broad view of empowerment,  but also helps make it personal.  You connect with the poem on a deeper level because Wordsworth puts his own personal thoughts and feelings into his own poem. 

In summary,  this poem is a general reflection of the idea of restraints and restrictions.  It is about perspective.  The reader can either view these restraints and restrictions as obstacles that were put in the way to hold them back,  or the reader can view them as mechanisms to help them further themselves into their work,  whether it be in a career, poetry, learning, or in seemingly meaningless activities.  Wordsworth chooses to find comfort in restraints,  as a hermit finds comfort in his cell or a nun finds comfort in her narrow room in the convent.  This sonnet will appeal to those who have felt the pressures of too much freedom,  such as new college students like ourselves.

