Oppression that the conflict is subjected too in his time of imprisonment is clearly reflected by Wordsworth gloomy descriptions of his situation. His eyes look “steadfast dejection…on the fetters that link him to death.” To an extent this poem reflects treatment of the convicts during the romanticism era as he recognises the power of the monarchy that “fetters”, yet in using the word “dejection” Wordsworth appears to be highlighting his lack of freedom, and the hopelessness the convict feels within the situation. In describing his eyes to appear with a powerful “dejected” image Wordsworth is drawing upon the negativist effects of imprisonment and it can be argued this reflects his strong beliefs about prison reform. Through the technique and use of negative images Wordsworth appears to be encouraging the reader to empathize with the convicts sad eyes.
Wordsworth it can be argued is highlighting his views on prison reform by using obscene imagery in order to show the injustice of the convict’s oppression. He informs the reader how the man is so mobbed with guilt his “bones are consumed, and his life-blood is dried.” This quote it can be argued is reflecting Wordsworth belief on prisoner rehabilitation as he is stressing the emotion and guilt prisoners do feel for what they have done. By using the term “dried” it can be argued he is attacking prison offices and guards who no longer take notice in what the prisoners have to say, and leave them there to rot in their own guilt. This is further evident when the man “wishes the past undo”. It appears the man cannot get rid of the guilt he feels for the on his view.” The use of the word “blackened” emphasizes the life of the prisoners during this time, and such darkening language, particularly the use of “blood” and “dried” encourages the reader to feel sympathy for prisoners who appear to have lost all chance in life.
It can be argued that Wordsworth clearly reflects his views on prison reform and the treatment of convicts in the late eighteenth century when he contrasts the prisoners situation with that of the monarch. The guilt the convict feels is contrasted with the monarch who “from dark synod or blood reeking field. To his chamber is led”. The image of a “dark synod” and “blood reeking field” bring much negative connotations to the crime of the monarch, it can be said they suggest a sinister, bloody crime and surely this may be no different from that of the convict. Yet the, similar crimes that the monarch has committed appear forgiven as “all soothers of sense their soft virtue yield.” It appears Wordsworth may be attacking the difference in treatment when he highlights the fact that the monarch returns to his “chamber”, this is a stark contrast from the convict been confined to the “thick ribbed walls.” In contrasting clear situations as a result of similar crimes it can be pointed out Wordsworth appears to be attacking the treatment and conditions of the prisoners during the late eighteenth century.
These images in can be argued reflect the political oppression and harsh treatment towards convicts of captives during the time this poem is written, the silencing of the dog the “jail mastiff” causes the convict to clearly suffer, “terror leaps at his heart”. The personification of terror here can be argued highlights how those in power within the prisoner silence the captives, just as the jail-mastiff silences the convict. This quote it can be argued shows Wordsworth views on the treatment of the prisoners during this time. In silencing the convict by the “howls” of the jail-mastiff it can be said he is attacking how freedom and speech and movement is immediately took away from men in prisons. Through this presentation of loss of freedom, Wordsworth clearly engages the reader in order to highlight the empathy he feels, and also the narrator of this poem. The speaker has not come to look upon the captive and laugh or make fun of his situation, he comes as a “brother thy sorrows to share.” Wordsworth here shows how the narrator also feels empathy towards the captive. The word “sorrow” emphasizes the captive situation and it is through this Wordsworth is confirming his sympathy towards all those oppressed.
Throughout the poem Wordsworth feelings and empathy are clearly evident to the reader. It appears that empathy is the main passion he is asking the readers to feel towards the convict. Throughout the poem he appears to have engaged the reader with sympathetic responses and ideas to this lack of freedom the convict has been subjected too. This is apparent from the opening of the play in which he describes the convict as an “outcast of pity” this engages the reader as it highlights that not only has the convict become an outcast with society, and lost his freedom he is also now an outcast of pity. This quote it can be argued engages the reader and allows the reader to feel much sorrow, as the man does not even have pity as a feeling.
The situation of the common criminal is repeatedly addressed throughout the poem also; I think Wordsworth does this as an attack on the political system and treatment of the oppressed during this time. In revealing the criminals harsh prison life, Wordsworth it can be said is revealing important truths of lives of the criminals. He appears to take this situation that many men were troubled with and point out that freedom is so important to men and also empathy as a passion. The narrator who at the end explains “my care, if the arm of the mighty were mine, would plant thee where thou’st might blossom again” further emphasizes this. This reflects the sorrow the narrator feels over the loss of freedom for the convict, Wordsworth is communicating to the audience how his chance for freedom is lost now he is in prison, and this serves as an attack against the rehabilitation of convicts.
