When most people think of walls, it has a very negative context. Humans speak of structure as almost an anchor that holds them down. Routine is looked upon as almost a rut that people trudge through day in, and day out. However, in "Nuns Fret Not at Their Convents Narrow Room" by William Wordsworth, a different meaning is found of structure and routine. Through uses of multiple real world examples, word choice, and a personal revelation, Wordsworth is able to get his point across with ease.

First, the poem opens up with the title, "Nuns fret not at their convents narrow room" (Wordsworth 21). His word choice in the first line is brilliant, as he uses the strict nature of nuns as an example. The word convent means a Christian community under monastic vows, which correlates to rigid structure and seemingly boring habits. However, Wordsworth makes the point of saying that nuns do not worry about their strict behaviors, and they do not seem to be in any rush to get out of these habits. In the next line, Wordsworth references a similar example, claiming that "Hermits are contented with their cells" (Wordsworth 21). The usage of the word contented is a much more appropriate word than happy because it shows that the hermits wouldn't want it any other way. They are satisfied with where they are, and this contradicts common belief. He also states "And students with their pensive citadels" (Wordsworth 21). This is the third time he has an example of something in a positive light followed by a tight place. Wordsworth also uses the word pensive which means "engaged in". The usage of this word is great because it emphasizes the fact that the students are working in their fortress not worrying about doing anything else. He also states, "Maids at the wheel, the weaver at his loom, sit blithe and happy; bees that soar for bloom" (Wordsworth 21). Again, this gets the point across that routine can be good, through showing that the bees are content with their job regardless of how tedious it is. He also speaks through the example of the bees in line seven by saying that they murmur by the hour in tiny bulbs of flowers. The flower is obviously not imprisoning the bee very much because it is murmuring inside of it. This again describing the fact that structure can be a very safe and comforting thing. 

In the eighth and ninth line, he speaks of the prison that people claim structure will put you in. He states, "In truth the prison, unto which we doom ourselves, no prison is" (Wordsworth 21). Through this I believe he is saying that people make structure seem like a very imprisoning thing when in actuality he is saying the opposite. Wordsworth is claiming that people can actually be very happy through structure but they are not because they think if they have a routine of doing something it will make their life boring. One example of this in a current real world situation would be students complaining about schoolwork. Almost everyday students complain about the load of schoolwork they have and how much they hate school. However, if you listen to a student on the last week of summer before school starts back up again, they are ready to be in the classroom and can hardly sleep the night before the first day because of the anticipation of a routine. Wordsworth does a tremendous job of making the point that it really isn't the "prison" that is imprisoning people, it is the mind of the human and its perception of routine and structure that is imprisoning people. 

Next, in line ten and eleven, Wordsworth he states "In sundry moods, 'twas pastime to be bound within the sonnets scanty plot of ground" (Wordsworth 21). Sundry means various, so overall in that he is saying through different moods you can be limited to what you can do with a sonnet. However, in lines twelve and thirteen he says "Pleased if some souls (for such there needs must be) who have felt the weight of too much liberty" (Wordsworth 21). Through the usage of the word souls he is wondering if anyone can compare to what he is experiencing. The sonnet, although very tough to write also gives the writer some structure to work with. When he says "the weight of too much liberty" he is talking about the times where he has so much freedom he does not know which direction to go in with his writing at all. The structure helps him get his writing going and actually stimulates his ability to write as oppose to hindering it. In the final and fourteenth line he closes with "Should find brief solace there, as I have found" (Wordsworth 21). This is a very powerful quote due to the word usage within it. Solace is defined as "comfort or consolation in a time of distress or sadness". Wordsworth is referring to one of the most difficult styles of poetry you can write and people would most definitely not use the word solace to describe trying to put one of these poems together. But when one thinks deeper about his description, his usage of the word is brilliant. The solace comes from the structure of the poem, just like everyday people take solace in going to work everyday, or everyday students enjoy going to class everyday. It gives them purpose in life. Of course people complain about their jobs and students complain about homework, but when a person loses their job, there is no solace involved. There is franticness, fear, and stress but nothing close to solace. Through this last line and some great word usage Wordsworth closes his poem with a very strong sentence. 

In conclusion, William Wordsworth's poem may not seem like the most logical idea at first, but once one thinks deeper about this theory it makes complete sense. Through his word choice and real world comparisons/examples, he gets his point across. That point being structure is not necessarily a bad thing. The idea of a routine can bring you happiness and more importantly satisfaction knowing you are working and doing something as opposed to not doing anything and lacking purpose with your life. Wordsworth shows the real boredom comes from not knowing what one is going to do, and the uncertainty of not having a routine will stress a person out. The true solace comes from having a structured lifestyle. 

