When some 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, the reader can find a different meaning from structure and routine. Through uses of multiple real world examples, word choice, and a personal revelation, Wordsworth is able to convey the positives of having a structured environment.

First, the poem opens 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 (New Oxford American Dictionary), 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 what 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 uses the word pensive which means "engaged in" (New Oxford American Dictionary). The usage of this word is great because it emphasizes the fact that the students are working in their fortresses not worrying about doing anything else. The students are engaged in their studies not concerned with what else they could be doing. Wordsworth again uses another example in the quote, "Maids at the wheel, the weaver at his loom, sit blithe and happy; bees that soar for bloom" (Wordsworth 21). This gets the point across that routine can be good, through showing that the bees are content with their job regardless of how tedious and monotonous it may be. 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 the bee is voluntarily murmuring inside of it. This again describing the fact that structure can be a very safe and comforting thing. All three of these examples are used to explain the 

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 it is interpreted that Wordsworth is saying that people make structure out to be 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 do not take the risk 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 one listens to a student on the last week of summer before school starts back up again, the student is 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 states "In sundry moods, 'twas pastime to be bound within the sonnets scanty plot of ground" (Wordsworth 21). Sundry means various (New Oxford American Dictionary), so overall in that he is saying through different moods one can be limited to what one 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, Wordsworth 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 14th and final 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" (New Oxford American Dictionary). 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. Wordsworth demonstrates his theory through his word choice and real world comparisons and examples. Structure is not necessarily a bad thing. The idea of a routine can bring one happiness and more importantly satisfaction knowing that one is working and doing something as opposed to not doing anything and lacking purpose with one's 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. 

