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...