COMPARING “THE LADY OF SHALOTT” AND “MARIANA”
By: Lamha, Yasmin, Laisa and Modith.
SIMILARITIES
In Tennyson’s poems “Mariana” and “The Lady of Shalott” the
main characters are isolated from the rest of the world, and
both are afraid of facing life and the obstacles that it presents.
They’re both very sad and depressed women.
They both exist under similar circumstances, cut from the
outside world and forced to regard the rest of the world in
isolation.
They’re also lonely and trapped.
MORE SIMILARITIES…
The Lady of Shalott is trapped in a room in a tower
while Mariana is in a house waiting for someone to
arrive. And this separation and confinement makes
them unhappy.
They both spent their days doing the same thing
repeatedly with little change in their routines.
AND, THEY’RE BOTH WOMEN.
DIFFERENCES
The reasons for their isolation are different.
The Lady of Shalott is under a curse and cannot leave her
tower unless she wants to die. Whereas, Mariana is
isolating herself willingly because she’s too depressed
about life. She’s been expecting someone for too long.
The Lady of Shalott does something while she waits (she
weaves), while on the other hand, Mariana just sits and
cries.
MORE DIFFERENCES…
The Lady of Shalott actually wants to leave the
tower and see the world, while Mariana, even
though she can go out, she chooses not to.
COMMON THEMES
Isolation and Social Engagement – They’re both away from
civilization. There’s no one to communicate with and they’re both
withdrawing from society.
Frustration – Because, they both have been there stuck in some
room for so long.
Men & Women – There’s a strong link between the two
genders.
There could also be a possibility that both poems tell us
about how life for women was in the Victorian Era.
THANK YOU
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