William Wordsworth’s “Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room” takes quite the unexpected turn. The writer initially touches on different aspects of various individuals occupations, making them seem very confined. He then flips the situation, going in about how these confined people are satisfied with the restrictions in their workplace. After this he presents that writing sonnets is similar to this, and compares every day restrictions with those restrictions of writing a sonnet. However, he also claims that he- like everyone else- finds comfort in having restrictions, as having too much freedom can be overwhelming. 

The writer obviously uses specific words to make these “jobs” seem restricted to make his point about the difficulty in writing a sonnet. For example, instead of the Nun’s room he makes sure to note that it is a narrow room. He does this to exaggerate how confined the nun really is to her room. As well as the word “cells” used with the hermits; a cell is typically a room someone is kept/locked in. He wants you to know just how much these individuals are restricted to going beyond their places of work. Although, while using these somewhat negative words he states in some way that they are at ease with being like this. He claims that regardless of how bad the conditions are, the people are satisfied with them.

After explaining these harsh sounding restrictions, he not only says that they are content with it, but that (they) “Sit blithe and happy, bees that soar for bloom” (line 5). It would seem that he is trying to say that not only are they simply at ease or okay with these confinements, but they are happy with them. At this point, it is obvious that he is setting up readers for another contrast in restrictions and being content. He goes on to say that “In truth the prison, into which we doom / Ourselves, no prison is: and hence for me” (8-9). One could interpret this as that often people make out their situations to be horrible and restricted, when really it is only as bad as one  makes it out to be. This “prison” that we “doom” ourselves is just another way the writer is helping the readers visualize their idea of their own everyday “prison” creating imagery.

Finally, William Wordsworth compares all of this to his own problem with restrictions. He compares the everyday living/job restriction to the restriction of writing the actual sonnet itself, saying that “Pleased if some Souls (for such there needs must be) / Who have felt the weight of too much liberty, / Should find brief solace there, as I have found” (12-14). However, even though we doom ourselves to this prison, he claims that he, like others, finds comfort in having restrictions. Having too much freedom can at times be stressful and overwhelming leading to problems- whether that be in writing sonnets or in everyday life.

William Wordsworth uses specific words to pull readers in and to confuse them as to why these people would be at ease- and then even happy about these conditions they work in. He does this to introduce the problem of the sonnet, only to turn and explain exactly why those are satisfied with having restrictions. He not only tells a story inside the sonnet, but explains and shows exactly how and why sonnets are supposed to be constructed. The poem is not about Nuns at all, which at first some don’t catch. The author uses these certain words to give a good contrast on how difficult it is to write a sonnet. He presents the issue- or confusion in this case, and goes on to explain and give the answer (resolution) to this confusion.

After confusing the readers, William Wordsworth finishes his sonnet to explain exactly why restrictions need to be in place. Although one would not expect this poem to take the path that it did, hopefully after reading this poem readers will understand exactly why and how sonnets are written. Sonnets must be written in a very precise way, which the writer explains through every day restrictions, comparing the difficulty of producing a sonnet to that of an everyday job that regular individuals perform every day. He also adds that he finds comfort in having these restrictions because that is what makes a sonnet great. This is the same for those with restricted jobs, they find themselves at ease with having restrictions, because without them, people would be confused on how to go every day. A Nun is not the same without her convent’s narrow room, as well as a sonnet without (it’s) “scanty plot of ground” (11).
