
        Positive and negative mindsets determined the way one lives their life. In the poem “Nuns Fret Not At Their Convents Narrow Room,” William Wordsworth writes about the different definitions and perspectives of a confined space or a room. Wordsworth’s is trying to show the different aspects of his brain; the way he used to think vs. the way he thinks now. Prior to his new way of positive thinking Wordsworth was confined to one way of negative thinking. In his new way of thinking, Wordsworth refuses to be trapped and when this refusal is present this is the first time he uses first person. This is to show that he finally is speaking up and changing the way he views his life. Wordsworth uses juxtaposition to show how the different forms of imprisonment are used to emphasize his idea and theme of perspective. In the poem “Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent's Narrow Room”, by looking at Wordsworth’s uses of positive and negative connotations, one can see the negative connotation is used in its literal meaning to emphasize the positive and show that if we are to think negatively we are going to be doomed; therefore, we need to change our perspective on our lives and be fulfilled with what we have chosen.

 Wordsworth talks about the negative connotation of prison. In the quote, “In truth the prison, unto which we doom”, he tries to emphasize if one views their prison as being negative, one cannot and will never be happy. One can achieve a rewarding life in a positive mind rather than a negative one. Negativity hold people back from becoming who they truly are and are supposed to become.  A prison is a place where one can review their own thoughts and their life. The reader’s mindset determines the way he/she views these thoughts and their life. If one sits in isolation with negative views on their life one will in return feel trapped. The phrase “in truth” suggests that the belief that a prison is negative is not always true. Wordsworth is saying that is we truly change the way we look at our lives in cannot be a lie that it is doomed because we don’t view it that way. This is no way to live and one will never achieve anything in life focusing on what could have been. The past holds most back from achieving their true potential and happiness. 

In the quote, “Ourselves, no prison is: and hence for me”, Wordsworth uses the positive connotation in prison to show juxtaposition between the first use of the word and this one. This second use of the word is Wordsworth refusing to be doomed and changing his way of thinking in order to become content with his life. In return his life will not be altered because he altered his state of mind. One is only in a prison if one chooses to make it a prison. Wordsworth chooses his positive mindset therefore he is not trapped. A choice is actively selecting your life when you have others as well. Our minds become prisons when we allow ourselves to think negatively and obsess over the small obstacles in our life. Wordsworth writing this poem is another way he is now looking at his life in a positive light. His imprisoning mind is no longer due to the fact that his thoughts have broken free and have been shared with the world. He then proceeds to talk about him being set free has allowed him to find “brief solace” showing that his way of coping and making sense of things is through his writing. Without it he would never have made sense of his thoughts and arrived on the conclusion that through writing he is able to free his negative mind. One’s prison can be considered a blessing for another. People have different views and different interests and changing our mindsets to appreciate what we have and being content helps people move on in life and actually live.

The word narrow room is changed from its customary connotation to a different meaning with a positive mind. In Wordsworth’s quote, “Nuns fret not at their convent’s narrow room”, a narrow room normally symbolizes isolation or being trapped. However, the nun is not trapped at all because she has chosen to be there. With isolation comes silence, and in religion silence means prayer, which for the Nun is the opposite of negative and dreadful. A room is also a place of comfort for most. No matter what size, it is a place to call home and it is yours. A nun is a selfless human and has also vowed poverty, so for her a room is all she has that is hers. So, in response to these words, a prison is the only thing we can call our own. A prison to one could not be a prison to others, a person is trapped in their own mind no one else’s, so if one view’s their life with a positive mindset that prison will not exist. Wordsworth shows that being doomed or miserable is all in your mindset, for instance this nun has taken something some may see negative, chosen it and is content.

Wordsworth's use of positive and negative connotations in the poem, “Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent's Narrow Room”, shows literal meaning to emphasize the positive and the negative to show if one thinks negatively he/she will feel trapped, to prevent the feeling of being trapped one needs to change their way of thinking and be content with their life. Wordsworth’s first use of the word prison is to represent a negative mindset, and by using this word negatively he then shows the reader how trapped ne can feel. The second use of the word prison is Wordsworth’s refusal to be trapped in the negative mindset and be content with what he has. The word room has a positive connotation, which veers away from its normal connotation, to show the nun’s choice and her fulfilled life. A prison is only our, ones prison cannot be another's; therefore, condemning us to the harsh closed off walls of our negative mind. Mindset can affect the way one views their life, in return trapping themselves and preventing the to live a satisfied life. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 