9th English (TL)
Textbook Solutions
POETRY
4. LUCY
SHE dwelt among the untrodden ways
Beside the springs of Dove,
A Maid whom there were none to praise
And very few to love;
A violet by a mossy stone
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!
-William Wordsworth
Comprehension:
C1. Answer the following questions:
1. Who does ‘she’ refer to in the poem?
Ans. – The poem refers to a maiden named Lucy.
2.Was she a famous person? Why/Why not?
Ans. – No, she was not a famous person. The poem suggests that there were none to praise her and very few to love her.
3. Where did she live?
Ans. – She dwelt among the untrodden ways, beside the springs of Dove, in a rural or secluded location.
4. ‘A violet by a mossy stone.’ What is the comparison made here?
Ans. – The comparison is made between Lucy and a violet by a mossy stone. This implies her hidden and unappreciated existence, much like the violet that is half hidden from the eye.
5. ‘Fair as a star’. Who is as fair as a star? Why did the poet compare her to a star?
Ans. – Lucy is compared to a star. The poet uses this comparison to emphasize her beauty, highlighting her uniqueness and rarity, much like a lone shining star in the sky.
6. Did the poet know her? Pick out the line from the poem which suggests this.
Ans.– The poet did not seem to know Lucy personally. The line that suggests this is: “She lived unknown, and few could know.”
7. State TRUE or FALSE.
Lucy dwelt among the untrodden ways in a busy city.
Ans. – FALSE. Lucy dwelt among the untrodden ways in a rural setting, not in a busy city.
Appreciation:
1. Pick out the rhyming words from the poem.
Ans – ways-praise,
Dove-love
sky – eye
stone-one
be – me.
2. Identify the figures of speech used in the poem.
Ans. – Simile: “Fair as a star.”
– Metaphor: “A violet by a mossy stone.”
3. In this poem, the poet laments Lucy’s death. What do you call such a poem?
Ans. – This type of poem is called an elegy.
4. Are there people like Lucy in your town/village who are unnoticed and unappreciated? Give examples of such people.
Ans. – This is a subjective question and would require personal observations and experiences.
5. Try to translate this poem into your mother tongue.
Ans. – This task requires proficiency in the specific mother tongue and may vary for different readers.
6. Conduct a debate on ‘Life in the countryside’ (village) and ‘Life in the city’. Which life do you like the most? Why?
