Question

at the corner of wood street, when daylight appears,
hangs a thrush that sings loud, it has sung for three years:
poor susan has passed by the spot, and has heard
in the silence of morning the song of the bird.

tis a note of enchantment; what ails her? she sees
a mountain ascending, a vision of trees;
bright volumes of vapour through lothbury glide,
and a river flows on through the vale of cheapside.

green pastures she views in the midst of the dale,
down which she so often has tripped with her pail;
and a single small cottage, a nest like a doves,
the one only dwelling on earth that she loves.

she looks, and her heart is in heaven: but they fade,
the mist and the river, the hill and the shade:
the stream will not flow, and the hill will not rise,
and the colours have all passed away from her eyes!

william wordsworth, \the reverie of poor susan\

how does the poet develop the theme in this poem?

by revealing how the thrushs familiar song no longer consoles susan, the poet illustrates that time diminishes the power of natures beauty.

by contrasting susans vivid memories of her rural home to the city, the poet conveys that memories have the power to bring both joy and sorrow.

by showing how susans visions of the past fulfill her despite her low income, the poet reinforces the message that money cannot buy happiness.

by illustrating how susans longing for her rural childhood conflicts with her wants and needs as an adult, the poet shows that growing up is bittersweet.

Explanation:

The poem contrasts Susan's memories of her rural home (green pastures, small cottage) with the city (Lothbury, Cheapside). Her memories bring joy (heart in heaven) but also sorrow as they fade. This contrast shows memories' dual - edged power.

Answer:

By contrasting Susan's vivid memories of her rural home to the city, the poet conveys that memories have the power to bring both joy and sorrow.