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.


Source: IanDagnall Computing. Alamy Stock Photo

In 4 sentences, analyze how the poem and the painting each contribute to your understanding of the story. Explain at least one detail the poem contains that the painting does not and tell how it contributes to your understanding. Then, explain at least one detail the painting contains that the poem does not and tell how it contributes to your understanding. write like a 10th grader

Answer 1

The poem "The Lady of Shalott" by Alfred Lord Tennyson presents a vivid description of the landscape and the lonely existence of the Lady, emphasizing her isolation with lines about the "silent isle" and "four gray walls." This detail helps readers understand how trapped she feels, both physically and emotionally, as she can only observe the outside world from a distance. In contrast, the painting captures a visual representation of the Lady, showing her with a sense of longing as she gazes out toward Camelot, allowing viewers to see her internal struggle more vividly. One detail in the painting that isn’t clearly described in the poem is the Lady’s facial expression, which conveys her yearning for freedom and connection, deepening our understanding of her tragic situation.