A Loss of Innocence "Nutting" by Inworth A romantic poet, Williamworth examines the relationship between the individual and nature. In the poem “Nutting,” Worth focuses on the role that innocence plays in this relationship by describing a scene that leads to his own coming of age. Unlike many of his other poems, which reveal the ability to experience and access nature in an innocent state, "Nutting" depicts Worth's inability, as a young boy, to fully appreciate nature, l leading to its destruction. Addressing a young girl, probably his sister, he writes a poem as a warning about what happens to oneself when one does not fully appreciate nature. In his youth, the speaker is too excited by duty and too tempted by the riches that nature holds to control his desire to destroy them. However, his defilement of nature's innocence immediately bothers him, causing him to question the value of material wealth and realize the importance of nature, something the present-tense speaker now recognizes and shows in his interjections throughout the poem. hazelnuts in the forest by the woman for whom he works, the young speaker sets out with enthusiasm to fulfill his duty. Revealing the child's innocence, the speaker says that he leaves his house "in the enthusiasm of childish hope...on the way out" (4-5). The word “eagerness” reveals his enthusiasm for the approaching task, while the phrase “childish hope” emphasizes his young age and the purity of his “eagerness.” “Sallying” adds an element of lightness to the youthful image. However, the boy does not embark on a random excursion, but leaves "with a huge wallet slung over his shoulder, a crook in his hand" (6-7). The young man goes to get some haz...... middle of paper...... a boy when he could control his sexual urges. This violent depiction of a boy's first sexual encounter is both intriguing and disturbing. Yet at the same time the poem seems to address the higher theme of industrialization. As a child, fascinated by the prospect of wealth and glory, the speaker destroys the nature around him to harvest its treasures, just as society does. However, this cannot satisfy the boy and he realizes the importance of nature which money can never replace. The violent and sexual imagery intensifies and highlights the horror of the act committed by the boy. Although society does not feel guilty for its acts of demolition, the speaker uses the poem to reprimand people for their disregard for nature. These two different readings of the poem offer two completely different tones, but both depict a violent corruption and defilement of innocence..