English Literature

Interpretation of Wordsworths Lucy Poems

Lucy Poems consists of five poems Wordsworth wrote when his mind was at the height of
Romantic fancy and idealism. The obvious philosophical inspiration behind this was Rousseaus
Emile... The immediate model for Lucy has been much debated: some argue strongly, like
Geoffrey Hartman, in favour of the poets sister, Dorothy Wordsworth, some find an image of
Annette Vallon and some dismiss all of these in favour of the argument that Lucy is nothing but
an ideal construct of the poets fancy. Whatever the case may be, the simplicity and beauty of the
poems continue to attract the readers to an ideal Romantic world, where a few principles seek to
make it different from the real one. The poems appeared in the 1800 edition of the Lyrical
Ballads, which was itself a monumental collection of Romantic experiment.
She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways
The Text
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
Maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love:
A violet by a mossy tone
Half hidden from the eye!
Fair as a star, when only one
Is shining in the sky.
She lived unknown, and few could know
When Lucy ceased to be;
But she is in her grave, and, oh,
The difference to me!
This poem tells the tale of Lucys short journey of life in this worldher growth, perfection and
untimely death. The poet informs us that Lucy lived a delicate and solitary life in the world of
Nature unpolluted by human intrusion. She lived beside the springs of Dove and she was
unknown to human beings who could otherwise praise the greatness of her mind. In her isolation
she was also quite stranger to human love.
This kind of situation is very hard to explain and that is why Wordsworth resorts to rhetorical
deice: he compares the fragility and the beauty of her existence to that of a violent which blooms
by a mossy stone, where it remains half-hidden from others. He compares her unusual beauty to
that of Venus, which is seen first in the evening sky shining with exceptional beauty in the midst
of approaching darkness of night.

In the final stanza Wordsworth informs the reader of Lucys secluded way of life and her sudden
death. Just as she lived unknown, she also died unknown. No person other than the poet could
know that Lucy became one with Nature. Finally the poet suddenly becomes conscious of the
immediate reality that she is no more alive in this world and is sleeping forever in her grave. He
feels acute pain in his heart and abruptly ends the poet with equivocal words. Now he can feel
the difference of his situation of utter grief that has been created by the loss from the one of
divine bliss when she was alive.

Principles of Good Writing by L. A. Hill

What are Hills prescriptions for writing well?

Ans: L.A. Hill prescribes that to write well one should write clearly and logically. For this s/he
should think clearly and logically. If s/he cannot do this, s/he should practise it taking on a
particular problem.

At first you may find...very difficult...practice will improve your abilities. In what
context does the author say this?
What does Hill prescribe for improving ones command of vocabulary?
Ans: Hill prescribes that in order to embolden ones vocabulary, s/he should read widely and
carefully. S/he should keep a notebook and write down striking words and expressions. A good
dictionary is also necessary for exact meaning and use of words..

Writing is 99 percent hard work and 1 percent inspiration. Why does the author say
this?
Ans: Hill thinks that one can learn to write well by regular and frequent practice. Inspiration
plays a rare role even for most famous writers. What is necessary most is disciplining oneself to
the act of writing.

How does Hill advise the reader to find topics for writing?
Hill advises the budding writer to read the newspapers carefully so that s/he may find examples
of human joys and tragedies, which will give ideas for writing. S/he should also keep a notebook
for writing down ideas.

How, according to Hill, should a writer present his/her theme?

Ans: According to Hill, the opening paragraph should be written in such a way that it is able to
catch the reader immediately. It should contain the gist of the topic. One may start with a
paradoxical point of view, but it should be cleared away in the rest of the writing.

What are the things that Hill advises the writer to avoid?

Ans: Hill advises a writer not to put in his/her personal problems which may not interest the
readers. He also forbids the budding writer to force his/her personal impression upon the readers
through writing. He also says that a writer should not imitate someone elses style. S/he should
not employ jargons, officialese, obsolete expressions, rhetorical expression and empty verbiage.