Summary:
A breakdown of William Wordsworth's poem "She dwelt among the untrodden ways," including the poem's subject matter, word choice and punctuation.
1.Briefly describe the poem "She dwelt among the untrodden ways" by William Wordsworth, indicating the subject matter.
The poem is about three main subject matters. Loneliness is evident as the poet describes her living in a place 'untrodden' (somewhere no on else is or has been), while 'Beside the springs of Dove' conveys a beautiful image of nature. The poem mourns the death of Lucy, who has 'ceased to be' and the poet imagines her in 'her grave'. Therefore, the poem is about loneliness, the beauty of nature and death.
2.What is Lucy compared to? Why do you think Wordsworth uses these comparisons? What images do they create of Lucy?
Lucy is compared to a 'star' and 'violet'. Wordsworth uses these comparisons to portray a unique and beautiful woman. A 'star' will give us an image of something standing out and shining brightly in the sky. This suggests that she is unique. A 'violet' is a beautiful flower and when compared to Lucy, we automatically imagine a beautiful woman. The outcome of these comparisons is very effective.
3.How does punctuation contribute to the meaning of this poem?
Punctuation contributes greatly to the meaning of this poem. The use of a semicolon creates more of a break between parts of the sentence, which therefore creates a brief pause. The pause gives us a slight moment to think about what was just read and emphasises it. The exclamation mark is able to emphasis the love and sense of loss created in the poem, e.g. 'The difference to me!' Consequently, punctuation gives the poem a meaningful effect.
'A slumber did my spirit seal'
1.What is the poem about?
The poem is about the persona's perspective on his death and his close friend's death (suggested to be Lucy). The poem shows Wordsworth's view on death, while never actually mentioning the word. In "A slumber did my spirit seal', he uses 'slumber' as a euphemism for death. He uses other phrases 'no human fears', 'a thing that could not feel' to represent his view on death throughout the poem.
2.What does the poet's use of 'slumber' suggest about the persona?
The poet's use of 'slumber' suggests that the persona has passed through death. It implies that the persona finds death to be something gentle - a 'slumber'. This is then reinforced by the use of 'I had no human fears', as this shows the persona is in a spiritual stage, rather than just dead. The poet's use of 'slumber' is a very successful way in conveying the persona's feelings about death.
3.List all the language Wordsworth uses to portray death.
- 'slumber' (asleep)
- 'no human fears' (already dead, numb)
- 'a thing that could not feel' (no feeling, numb)
- 'earthly years' 'in earth's diurnal course' (years spent in dirt, buried)
- 'no motion, no force' (no movement or energy)
- 'neither hears nor sees' (no senses)
4.What is his view on death?
The poet's view on death is not a very negative one. The use of 'slumber' suggests Wordsworth believed death to be like a gentle sleep that occurred in the course of nature. The phrase, 'earth's diurnal course' (meaning in nature's daily routine) also suggests that he believed death was something in nature's course. This is then emphasised by the use of 'With rocks, and stones, and trees!' Wordsworth may have believed that once the 'human fears' of death are overcome, the fears are altered into a peaceful pleasure, while understanding the saving nature of imagination.
(J.T.)
This is the complete article, containing 562 words
(approx. 2 pages at 300 words per page).
