Question

The Lady of Shalott
by Alfred Lord Tennyson

PART I

On either side the river lie
Long fields of barley and of rye,
That clothe the wold and meet the sky;
And thro' the field the road runs by
To many-tower'd Camelot;
And up and down the people go,
Gazing where the lilies blow
Round an island there below,
The island of Shalott.
Willows whiten, aspens quiver,
Little breezes dusk and shiver
Thro' the wave that runs forever
By the island in the river
Flowing down to Camelot.
Four gray walls, and four gray towers,
Overlook a space of flowers,
And the silent isle embowers
The Lady of Shalott.

1 of 10
Question
Use the painting and poem to answer the question.

A painting of The Lady of Shalott by John William Waterhouse. She is sailing alone in a small boat on the river.
Source: IanDagnall Computing. Alamy Stock Photo

Why might the artist have chosen to use dark colors in the background?

(1 point)
Responses

to draw attention to a metaphor about a character’s intentions
to draw attention to a metaphor about a character’s intentions

to help contrast with depictions of earlier scenes
to help contrast with depictions of earlier scenes

to avoid distracting the audience from the central figure
to avoid distracting the audience from the central figure

to center focus on the fact that it is dusk in the scene

Answer 1

The artist might have chosen to use dark colors in the background **to help contrast with depictions of earlier scenes**. This choice emphasizes the melancholic and isolated nature of the Lady of Shalott's situation, creating a stark visual contrast with the lighter colors surrounding her, thereby enhancing the emotional impact of the scene.