Sonnet On Seeing Miss Helen Maria Williams Weep At A Tale Of Distress

In this sonnet, which was Wordsworth's first published poem, he uses tears a representation of emotion, which is an important consideration in analyzing what he is trying to convey. From the onset, there is allusion to religious ideas and themes, specifically relating to Jesus. The subject of the poem, Helen Maria Williams, in my interpretation is supposed to be Jesus. While reading this poem, it conjured up images of Jesus up on that actual Crucifix. Whether it was the "purple tide flowing" which represented the blood of Jesus likely coming down from his forehead or the "closing eye" which represents his fleeting life, make no mistake this story is not coincidentally similar to that of Jesus. It is in fact a metaphorical representation of this story about a woman that Wordsworth had not even met yet!

As far as the tear is concerned, Maria seems to be weeping out of despair, which in turn brings tears, as a response to seeing the pain and misfortune of others. This seems somewhat analogous and reminiscent of the story of Jesus, as far as taking serious pain in the misdoings of others. An awesome commercial demonstrates this. Just as the childhood notion of rain being "God crying" Helen Maria Williams' tears are tantamount to "Jesus suffering."

I was quite surprised at how religiously inspired this poem was in its entirety, a pretty risky move for someone's first public publishing. A strong showing of Wordsworth's intestinal fortitude.