The River

The River Wye, which is referenced multiple times throughout the poem, symbolizes the constant forward motion of time. Throughout literary history, many writers have used rivers to symbolize the passage of time, based on the fact that their waters are ceaselessly flowing downstream, mirroring the movement of time. Here the river is used as the primary natural landmark in order to emphasize the passage of time in the poem. The speaker makes several references to the passing of time, not just in their reflections on the past, but also as they look toward the future and the value their memories will hold for them years down the line.

The Fruits

The unripened fruits described in the first section of the poem symbolize the future significance of the speaker’s visit to the river. While the fruits are not yet ripe, the ripeness that awaits them...