A sonnet is a short poem composed of exactly fourteen lines, never more and never less.  Readers interpret it differently based off of their previous knowledge or personal opinions.  Having a different perspective on a piece does not mean you are wrong, but gives you an opportunity to defend your opinion with evidence.  “Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room”, written by William Wordsworth, is an illustration of the necessary structure of society, the restrictions that go hand in hand with your designated career, and the final sensation of content.

The line, “Maids at the wheel, the weaver at his loom,” (line 4) symbolizes the concept that each individual has a specific job.  Whether you are a writer or a maid, you possess one responsibility and that is to fulfill your career.  Unfortunately, according to the speaker that is how civilization works during the time.    

In Wordsworth’s sonnet he analyzes the several restrictions that are set on many occupations.  One of the careers the speaker mentions is a writer who specifically writes sonnets.  Writing sonnets puts a major restriction on a writer because a sonnet is limited to exactly fourteen lines. With too much freedom, writers’ minds wander.  Restrictions on jobs can be beneficial because it allows one to stay on the right track.  The first line of the sonnet states, “Nuns fret not at their convent’s narrow room;” (1).  From my previous knowledge, I am aware that nuns are limited to a certain lifestyle.  If they were to go astray, what would nuns be?  The way I interpreted Line one is each person has a job and without the limitations set on the career the career would not be the same.  These restraints I have referred to, allow workers to do a better job because they have a specific task to complete.   

With all of this said I believe that the purpose of this sonnet is to make known that although there are several restrictions that come with different work, people are content with what they do.  The speaker states, “Pleased if some Souls (for such there needs must be) / Who felt the weight of too much liberty, / Should find brief solace there, as I have found” (12-14).  My interpretation of these lines are that although the restrictions put several limitations on writers, such as the speaker, they allow poets to find peace because they can avoid challenges such as writer’s block.     I want to emphasize the lines, “And hermits are contented with their cell;” (2) and “Sit blithe and happy; bees that soar for bloom,” 5) because in spite of the fact that they possess a limited amount of freedom, they are happy with their lifestyle.   As stated in the sonnet, “In truth the prison, unto which we doom, Ourselves, no prison is: and hence for me,” (8-9).  All and all, as some complain, they realize that work is something to do rather than live in boredom.

“Nuns Fret Not at Their Convent’s Narrow Room”, written by William Wordsworth, is a model of the constitution of our civilization, the several limits set on each line of work, and the final fulfillment that you gain.  You are given a path to follow and it is your responsibility to stay on the right path.  The construction of a sonnet is fourteen lines and that does not change.  The several limits set on a profession can be tiresome, but in the end you are content because it is more suitable than finding yourself bored out of your mind.
