One of the five Lucy poems written by William Wordsworth, ‘She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways’ is an important poem that explores the life and death of Lucy. It’s ambiguous whether Wordsworth also addresses his own pain through the expression of the solitary life of Lucy and his unrequited love for the girl.
With this piece here, we take a look at Lucy’s evolution and her importance in Wordsworth’s life. As usual, you can drop your thoughts in the comments below:
Who is Lucy in ‘She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways’?
As per scholars, Lucy might not be a real person. Instead, she is probably just the creation of Wordsworth’s mind. On the contrary, many also believe Lucy was probably someone Wordsworth once loved and lost.
In Wordsworth’s texts, Lucy symbolizes perfection, serenity, and beauty of nature. She is young, beautiful, and away from the evils of life.
What does Wordsworth say about Lucy’s life?
Wordsworth talks about Lucy’s solitary life and death. Lucy is under-appreciated, but she remains unaffected as she doesn’t seem to be longing for anything in life. Wordsworth writes in her praise, “A violet by a mossy stone Half hidden from the eye! —Fair as a star, when only one Is shining in the sky.”
Her beauty and goodness are obscured by bigger things that people are more interested in. Even though nobody notices it, she ‘shines’ bright due to her virtues. Only if there was a beholder. Oh yes, Wordsworth was there.
What do ‘Untrodden Ways’ symbolize?
Using the phrase ‘Untrodden Ways’, Wordsworth highlights the isolation that surrounds the body and mind of Lucy. She is living an unusually secluded life.
Nobody can understand her, her experiences, and all she’s been through. Like a path that’s never been walked on, her lifestyle is unexplored and inexplicable.
What’s Lucy’s Significance for Wordsworth?
In the last stanza, the poet underlines the minimal impact Lucy’s life and death have on people out there. The poet writes, “But she is in her grave, and, oh, The difference to me!”
Lucy has left and her departure didn’t change anything for anyone. But for Wordsworth, she made a big ‘difference’ as he observed her closely.
So what if nobody valued her. The poet knows her true significance as he clings to the memories of Lucy which formed inspiration for his life.
Did ‘She Dwelt among the Untrodden Ways’ get you thinking? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below: