The first striking conundrum that materializes as one ponders the significance of this humble word is the tension between the old methods of grammatical legalism and the push for lyrical beauty. Even by the lax standards of the poetic form, this "and" is completely out of place in its given position. Any scholar of the English language will inform you that lists of more that two items are to be separated by commas with a single "and" preceding the final member. However, in his quest to capture the free-flowing essence of the natural world, Wordsworth dramatically breaks with these conventions, ending the poem with a flair of rebellion against the old strictures that he claims have sealed his spirit.

As one delves deeper into the meaning of the word in question, however, it becomes apparent that the poet's true intent in using this word was to raise the philosophical question of the importance of man in comparison to the natural world. Historically, the comma-deliniated list has served to emphasize the group identity of the list members, to the exclusion of their individual personalities. By dividing the words up with the extra "and," Wordsworth makes it clear that he considers each separate object with which his spirit is "rolled round" is a separate entity which deserves his respect.

The true measure of a word's importance to the overall theme of a poem lies in an analysis of the work with the word in question omitted. When such an analysis is performed on the poem "A Slumber Did My Spirit Seal" shows that it is indeed vital to the message of the poem. Not only does the rhythm of the poem completely fall apart with the "and" removed, it is left bereft of the dramatic tension and subtle social commentary which the word conveys. In short, the poem would be without that magical quality that makes it a classic. Clearly, the first "and" in the last line of the poem is the key to understanding its deep metaphysical significance.