““She Dwelt Among She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways”the Untrodden Ways”

By William WordsworthBy William Wordsworth

The PoemThe Poem

She dwelt among the untrodden waysShe dwelt among the untrodden waysBeside the springs of Dove,Beside the springs of Dove,

A Maid whom there were none to praiseA Maid whom there were none to praiseAnd very few to love: And very few to love:

A violet by a mossy stone A violet by a mossy stone

Half hidden from the eye!Half hidden from the eye!– Fair as a star, when only one– Fair as a star, when only one

Is shining in the sky. Is shining in the sky.

She lived unknown, and few could knowShe lived unknown, and few could knowWhen Lucy ceased to be; When Lucy ceased to be;

But she is in her grave, and, oh,But she is in her grave, and, oh,The difference to me!The difference to me!

Some Background Some Background InformationInformation

William Wordsworth was an English Romantic poet.William Wordsworth was an English Romantic poet. The poem was written in 1798.The poem was written in 1798. He fell in love with a French woman, Annette Vallon, in 1792.He fell in love with a French woman, Annette Vallon, in 1792. The poem is one of five in the ‘Lucy’ series. The poems in this The poem is one of five in the ‘Lucy’ series. The poems in this

series are all focused on a lady, ‘Lucy’, who Wordsworth expresses series are all focused on a lady, ‘Lucy’, who Wordsworth expresses his emotional feelings throughhis emotional feelings through

He was one of five children. Three of the children were poets He was one of five children. Three of the children were poets themselves, influenced by the strong academic value in the family.themselves, influenced by the strong academic value in the family.

He was influenced by his experience with the landscape and was He was influenced by his experience with the landscape and was further turned toward nature by the harsh treatment he received at further turned toward nature by the harsh treatment he received at the hands of his relatives. In particular, Wordsworth could not get the hands of his relatives. In particular, Wordsworth could not get along with his grandparents and his uncle, and his hostile along with his grandparents and his uncle, and his hostile interactions with them distressed him to the point of contemplating interactions with them distressed him to the point of contemplating suicide.suicide.

LucyLucy Wordsworth wrote his series of "Lucy" poems during a stay with his Wordsworth wrote his series of "Lucy" poems during a stay with his

sister. The real life identity of Lucy has never been known. Wordsworth sister. The real life identity of Lucy has never been known. Wordsworth himself never addressed the matter of her existence, and was silent about himself never addressed the matter of her existence, and was silent about commenting on the series. Lucy's identity has been the subject of much commenting on the series. Lucy's identity has been the subject of much speculation and some have guessed that the poems are an attempt by speculation and some have guessed that the poems are an attempt by Wordsworth to say his affection for Dorothy; this line of thought Wordsworth to say his affection for Dorothy; this line of thought interpretates that the poems exaggerate Wordsworth's feelings of pain for interpretates that the poems exaggerate Wordsworth's feelings of pain for her expected death. Wordsworth's Lucy possesses a double existence, her her expected death. Wordsworth's Lucy possesses a double existence, her actual, historical existence and her idealised existence in the poet's mind. actual, historical existence and her idealised existence in the poet's mind. In the poem, Lucy is both actual and idealised, but her actuality is relevant. In the poem, Lucy is both actual and idealised, but her actuality is relevant. Lucy is thought by others to represent his childhood friend Peggy Lucy is thought by others to represent his childhood friend Peggy Hutchinson, with whom he was in love before her early death in 1796—Hutchinson, with whom he was in love before her early death in 1796—Wordsworth later married Peggy's sister, Mary.Wordsworth later married Peggy's sister, Mary.

TitleTitle

‘‘She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways’She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways’Creates a sense of mystery. Creates a sense of mystery.

‘‘She’ - This female is ‘Lucy’. She’ - This female is ‘Lucy’. ‘‘Dwelt’ – To live in a constant, unchanged condition. One can dwell in a physical or Dwelt’ – To live in a constant, unchanged condition. One can dwell in a physical or

mental state. It can also mean ‘To ponder in thought’ or ‘To live permanently’mental state. It can also mean ‘To ponder in thought’ or ‘To live permanently’‘‘Untrodden’ - This suggests a pathless way i.e. no set reason, no set goal.Untrodden’ - This suggests a pathless way i.e. no set reason, no set goal.

‘‘Among’ – This suggests that Lucy dwells WITH the ‘untrodden ways’. It would be a Among’ – This suggests that Lucy dwells WITH the ‘untrodden ways’. It would be a different story if Lucy dwelt THROUGH. WITH portrays that she is different story if Lucy dwelt THROUGH. WITH portrays that she is permanentlypermanently

in this state.in this state. The title implies that Lucy lived by herself, unknown, wild, free and at one with The title implies that Lucy lived by herself, unknown, wild, free and at one with

nature, physically and mentallynature, physically and mentally . . AlsoAlso ‘Untrodden’ refers to a common theme in ‘Untrodden’ refers to a common theme in the poem about ‘Lucy’ not being noticed. Eg Line 7 “Half hidden’ and Line 9 the poem about ‘Lucy’ not being noticed. Eg Line 7 “Half hidden’ and Line 9 “She lived unknown.”“She lived unknown.”

The First StanzaThe First Stanza

She dwelt among the untrodden waysShe dwelt among the untrodden waysBeside the springs of Dove,Beside the springs of Dove,

A Maid whom there were none to praiseA Maid whom there were none to praiseAnd very few to love:And very few to love:

First line is the same as the title. ‘First line is the same as the title. ‘springs’- this is a noun which means literally an springs’- this is a noun which means literally an issue of water from the earth. However if it were to be a verb, ‘to spring’ can mean issue of water from the earth. However if it were to be a verb, ‘to spring’ can mean to come into being by growth. This is just a thought. The springs could also to come into being by growth. This is just a thought. The springs could also represent purity. ‘Dove’ is part of the English Lake District. ‘there were none to represent purity. ‘Dove’ is part of the English Lake District. ‘there were none to praise and very few to love’- this suggests that no one seemed to notice Lucy. praise and very few to love’- this suggests that no one seemed to notice Lucy. However the bare fact that Wordsworth is writing this portrays that he is someone However the bare fact that Wordsworth is writing this portrays that he is someone to notice her (He discusses her qualities in stanza two). to notice her (He discusses her qualities in stanza two).

The First StanzaThe First Stanza She dwelt among the untrodden waysShe dwelt among the untrodden ways

Beside the springs of Dove,Beside the springs of Dove,A Maid whom there were none to praiseA Maid whom there were none to praise

And very few to love:And very few to love:

In the first stanza, the woman (Lucy) is described; how she lives among nature and In the first stanza, the woman (Lucy) is described; how she lives among nature and “untrodden ways.” And the loneliness of her life where there “were none to praise” and “untrodden ways.” And the loneliness of her life where there “were none to praise” and

“very few to love” her. “very few to love” her. The first line suggests that Lucy lived by herself, unknown, The first line suggests that Lucy lived by herself, unknown, wild, free and at one with nature, physically and mentally. wild, free and at one with nature, physically and mentally.

Although Wordsworth does specify an actual location in line 2 (‘Dove cottage in the Although Wordsworth does specify an actual location in line 2 (‘Dove cottage in the English lake district was the home for him and his sister for some years ) this also was English lake district was the home for him and his sister for some years ) this also was

a retreat removed from reality and so a kind of physical location doesn’t draw away a retreat removed from reality and so a kind of physical location doesn’t draw away from the ‘ideal’ quality of the subject. In the third line you may notice that ‘Maid’ has from the ‘ideal’ quality of the subject. In the third line you may notice that ‘Maid’ has a capital letter. In that time and even today maids are not highly valued. In this way we a capital letter. In that time and even today maids are not highly valued. In this way we can see that Lucy is only precious to him and nobody else can see this. It also serves to can see that Lucy is only precious to him and nobody else can see this. It also serves to represent an idea as opposed to an represent an idea as opposed to an actualactual person. ‘none to praise and very few to love’- person. ‘none to praise and very few to love’- Wordsworth gives no real picture of the poem’s subject except obscurity. In this way it Wordsworth gives no real picture of the poem’s subject except obscurity. In this way it can be thought that Lucy is not actually a real person. As a whole this stanza can said can be thought that Lucy is not actually a real person. As a whole this stanza can said

to represent growth.to represent growth.

The Second StanzaThe Second Stanza A violet by a mossy stone A violet by a mossy stone Half Half

hidden from the eye!hidden from the eye!– Fair as a star, when only one– Fair as a star, when only one

Is shining in the sky. Is shining in the sky.

‘‘A violet’ is a low growing flower and so is not seen from a first glance. You have to A violet’ is a low growing flower and so is not seen from a first glance. You have to look closer before it comes into your vision properly. This adds to the idea that the look closer before it comes into your vision properly. This adds to the idea that the subject (Lucy) is not easily noticed and only he can see her. Also you may notice subject (Lucy) is not easily noticed and only he can see her. Also you may notice that the colour of the flower is a violet/purple colour. that the colour of the flower is a violet/purple colour. Purple was first associated Purple was first associated with royalty because of its rarity and expense. A violet is also considered to be with royalty because of its rarity and expense. A violet is also considered to be

delicate and humble. Moreover it says that it is ‘by a mossy stone’. Again this adds delicate and humble. Moreover it says that it is ‘by a mossy stone’. Again this adds to this idea in that we tend to see the ‘mossy stone’ rather than the ‘violet’. ‘Half to this idea in that we tend to see the ‘mossy stone’ rather than the ‘violet’. ‘Half

hidden from the eye!’-This holds the idea as well. “A violet by a mossy stone” can hidden from the eye!’-This holds the idea as well. “A violet by a mossy stone” can also represent clarity. The reference to nature compares her beauty as well. also represent clarity. The reference to nature compares her beauty as well. Furthermore there is the theme of death; nature has incorporated her. This Furthermore there is the theme of death; nature has incorporated her. This

statement contradicts with the second part or the stanza. ‘Fair as a star, when only statement contradicts with the second part or the stanza. ‘Fair as a star, when only one Is shining in the sky.’ This implies that, to Wordsworth, she is the one Is shining in the sky.’ This implies that, to Wordsworth, she is the onlyonly one he one he can see. A star symbolizes purity and fairness. As a whole this stanza can be said to can see. A star symbolizes purity and fairness. As a whole this stanza can be said to

represent the perfection of Lucy.represent the perfection of Lucy.

The Third StanzaThe Third Stanza She lived unknown, and few could knowShe lived unknown, and few could know

When Lucy ceased to be; When Lucy ceased to be; But she is in her grave, and, oh,But she is in her grave, and, oh,

The difference to me!The difference to me!

The first line recalls the introduction (‘unknown, and few could know’). Furthermore it The first line recalls the introduction (‘unknown, and few could know’). Furthermore it depicts the obscurity of her existence. depicts the obscurity of her existence.

‘‘When Lucy ceased to be’- Lucy has died. But the fact that ‘ceased to be’ has been When Lucy ceased to be’- Lucy has died. But the fact that ‘ceased to be’ has been used instead of ‘died’ is important. Here Wordsworth uses a sort of poetic language used instead of ‘died’ is important. Here Wordsworth uses a sort of poetic language but also implying the end of an but also implying the end of an idealideal existence more than an actual life. ‘But she is existence more than an actual life. ‘But she is

in her grave’- It is now returned back to the factual view implying that Lucy is a in her grave’- It is now returned back to the factual view implying that Lucy is a real alive person. ‘The difference to real alive person. ‘The difference to meme!’- This exclamation is very spontaneous !’- This exclamation is very spontaneous

i.e. out of the blue. This could suggest that Lucy lives vividly but exclusively in the i.e. out of the blue. This could suggest that Lucy lives vividly but exclusively in the poets reality. As a whole this stanza can be said to represent the death of Lucy.poets reality. As a whole this stanza can be said to represent the death of Lucy.

ThemesThemes

Nature : Nature plays a huge role in the poem. When describing Lucy Wordsworth refers to a ‘violet’ to represent her beauty and a ‘star’ to represent how she shines.

Appreciation : Appreciation is a theme because the poem talks about how she ISN’T APPRECIATED by anyone other than Wordsworth who DOES APPRECIATE her.

Emphasizes how strong his emotions for her are.

StructureStructure The poem is short and uses mostly mono-syllabic words. This is important because The poem is short and uses mostly mono-syllabic words. This is important because

it represents Wordsworth’s emotional state at the time; He cannot express his it represents Wordsworth’s emotional state at the time; He cannot express his feelings for Lucy with words, his emotions are too great.feelings for Lucy with words, his emotions are too great.

In all the stanzas, though especially the second, phrases are directly followed by In all the stanzas, though especially the second, phrases are directly followed by contradictions.contradictions.

Wordsworth moves from a factual presentation of Lucy to a perception of Lucy. Wordsworth moves from a factual presentation of Lucy to a perception of Lucy. This helps us, the reader, appreciate the mysteriousness of Lucy: that we might This helps us, the reader, appreciate the mysteriousness of Lucy: that we might know her, but at the same time she remains remote to us. know her, but at the same time she remains remote to us.

The poem contains a rhyme scheme a-b-a-b. This is an easy rhyme scheme to keep The poem contains a rhyme scheme a-b-a-b. This is an easy rhyme scheme to keep track to, and the reader finds it easier to read. In addition the poem seems to stick in track to, and the reader finds it easier to read. In addition the poem seems to stick in our heads much easier, which could suggest that Wordsworth wanted the poem’s our heads much easier, which could suggest that Wordsworth wanted the poem’s readers to think deeper into the meaning.readers to think deeper into the meaning.

Questions ?Questions ?

The EndThe End