XXI: The Pilgrim explained

What happens

Themes in this chapter

• Nature and the Divine

  The pilgrim loves the natural world but must resist it as part of his spiritual vow.

• Suffering and Humility

  The pilgrim's task is described as 'hard humbling,' emphasizing the sacrifice of personal desire for a higher calling.

Characters to notice

• Unknown

  The pilgrim who wanders through Dartmoor, bound by a vow to avoid attachment to earthly beauty.

Key passages

• “There stray’d awhile, amid the woods of Dart, One who could love them, but who durst not love.”

  A person wandered briefly through the Dartmoor woods, someone who was capable of loving them but dared not allow himself to do so.

  Introduces the central conflict of the pilgrim's vow against his natural affection for nature.

• “A vow had bound him, ne’er to give his heart To streamlet bright, or soft secluded grove.”

  He was bound by a promise never to become emotionally attached to a bright stream or a peaceful, hidden grove.

  Explains the nature of the pilgrim's vow: to avoid emotional attachment to the beauty of the natural world.

• “’Twas a hard humbling task, onwards to move His easy-captured eyes from each fair spot, With unattach’d and lonely step to rove O’er happy meads, which soon its print forgot:⁠— Yet kept he safe his pledge, prizing his pilgrim-lot.”

  It was a difficult and humbling duty to keep moving, turning his easily captivated eyes away from every beautiful place, walking alone and unattached over joyful meadows that quickly forgot his footprint—yet he faithfully kept his promise, valuing his life as a pilgrim.

  Describes the pilgrim's discipline and the transient nature of his presence in the landscape, underscoring his commitment to his spiritual journey.