SHE DWELT AMONG THE UNTRODDEN WAYS
William Wordsworth
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!
Theme: There are a number of instances in which the noble and virtuous receive little or no attention during their journey through life. They are blazing stars who soar through the heavens unnoticed or seldom seen. And at one point, they burn out and die.
Paraphrasing
She dwelt among the untrodden ways
She lived in a quiet and remote place that few people ever visited or knew about. It was far from the busy areas where people usually go, and no one really noticed her existence.
Beside the springs of Dove,
She lived near the gentle, clear streams of the Dove River. This place was peaceful and serene, untouched by the noise or rush of the outside world. It was a calm and natural environment.
A Maid whom there were none to praise
She was a young woman who didn't receive any praise or recognition from others. There were no celebrations of her qualities, and no one spoke highly of her in a way that made her feel special.
And very few to love:
Very few people truly cared for her or loved her. She was not surrounded by many friends or loved ones, and her circle of affection was small and limited.
A violet by a mossy stone
She was like a delicate violet flower growing near a stone that was covered in moss. The image suggests that she was beautiful, yet she was placed in a quiet, almost hidden location, much like the flower, which wasn’t easy to see by most.
Half hidden from the eye!
The violet flower, like the woman, was only partially visible, making it hard for people to notice. She lived in such a way that she wasn’t fully seen or recognized by the people around her, hidden in plain sight.
Fair as a star, when only one
Despite being largely unnoticed, she was as beautiful and radiant as a single star shining in the night sky. Just as a lone star can shine brightly in a dark sky, she was unique in her beauty.
Is shining in the sky.
This line emphasizes her beauty even more—when there are no other stars in the sky to compete with, that one star shines the brightest. Similarly, she stood out in her own way, even if there wasn’t anyone else around to notice it.
She lived unknown, and few could know
Throughout her life, she lived in relative obscurity, meaning that most people didn’t really know who she was. Her personality, her life, and her struggles were not understood by many, leaving her largely invisible in the world.
When Lucy ceased to be;
When Lucy passed away and was no longer living, the world continued, but she was no longer part of it. Her life came to an end, and only then did her true absence become clear to those who were affected by her.
But she is in her grave, and oh,
Now Lucy is buried in her grave, and the speaker feels the weight of this loss. Her physical presence is gone, and all that remains is the emptiness that comes with death.
The difference to me!
The speaker expresses the deep emotional impact of Lucy’s death. It highlights the sense of personal loss and grief. Though Lucy may have lived quietly, her absence has left a significant and painful difference in the speaker’s life.
Short Answer Questions
Question: Where did the young woman live?
Answer: The young woman lived in a quiet, remote place near the springs of Dove, far from the usual paths that people walked on.
Question: Why was the young woman not praised by others?
Answer: The young woman did not receive praise because she lived in solitude, away from society, and was not noticed or admired by many people.
Question: What does the violet by a mossy stone symbolize?
Answer: The violet by a mossy stone symbolizes the young woman’s beauty and delicate nature, which was hidden or unnoticed, just like the flower that is partly concealed.
Question: How is the young woman’s beauty described in the poem?
Answer: Her beauty is described as being like a star that shines alone in the sky, suggesting that she was unique and radiant, though not many people saw it.
Question: What does the phrase "half hidden from the eye" suggest about the woman’s life?
Answer: This phrase suggests that the woman’s life was largely unnoticed by others. She was hidden from the world, much like a flower that is partly concealed from view.
Question: How did the world react when Lucy passed away?
Answer: The world continued, but the speaker reflects on how the loss of Lucy made a significant difference in their life. Very few people knew her, but her death left a lasting impact on the speaker.
Question: What is the significance of Lucy living "unknown"?
Answer: Living "unknown" means that Lucy’s life was not marked by fame or attention. She was a private person, largely invisible to others, which made her eventual death even more poignant.
Question: How does the speaker feel about Lucy’s death?
Answer: The speaker feels a deep sense of loss and grief. Lucy’s death made a profound difference to the speaker, highlighting how much her presence mattered to them, even though she lived quietly.
Question: What does the poem suggest about the value of someone’s life, even if unnoticed by others?
Answer: The poem suggests that even if a person’s life goes unnoticed by many, their presence still holds great value to those who care about them. Lucy's life and death made a significant difference to the speaker.
Question: What is the overall theme of the poem?
Answer: The overall theme of the poem is the quiet beauty of a life that is lived unnoticed and the emotional impact that loss can have, especially when the person was cherished by a few despite being largely invisible to the world.
Multiple-choice questions based on the text:
multiple choice questions based on the poem:
Where did the young woman live? a) By the ocean
b) Beside the springs of Dove
c) In a busy city
d) In a castle
Answer: b) Beside the springs of Dove
Why was the young woman not praised by others? a) She was too young
b) She lived in solitude, away from others
c) She was not beautiful
d) She was too rich
Answer: b) She lived in solitude, away from others
What does the violet by a mossy stone symbolize? a) Beauty hidden from the world
b) A garden in bloom
c) The speaker’s love for the woman
d) A new beginning
Answer: a) Beauty hidden from the world
How is the woman’s beauty described in the poem? a) Like a flower in full bloom
b) Like a star shining alone in the sky
c) Like a rainbow
d) Like the moonlight
Answer: b) Like a star shining alone in the sky
What does "half hidden from the eye" suggest about the young woman? a) She was always in the shadows
b) She lived in a small house
c) She was unnoticed and hidden from the world
d) She was always with her family
Answer: c) She was unnoticed and hidden from the world
How did the world react to Lucy’s death? a) The world mourned her deeply
b) No one noticed her death
c) The speaker alone felt the loss
d) Many people attended her funeral
Answer: c) The speaker alone felt the loss
What does "living unknown" mean in the context of the poem? a) Lucy was famous
b) Lucy’s life was private and unnoticed
c) Lucy lived in a faraway country
d) Lucy was wealthy and admired
Answer: b) Lucy’s life was private and unnoticed
How does the speaker feel about Lucy’s death? a) The speaker is indifferent
b) The speaker feels relief
c) The speaker is deeply affected by the loss
d) The speaker is angry
Answer: c) The speaker is deeply affected by the loss
What is the theme of the poem? a) The pursuit of fame
b) The impact of a quiet life and loss
c) The beauty of nature
d) The importance of wealth
Answer: b) The impact of a quiet life and loss
What does the poem suggest about the value of a life, even if unnoticed by others? a) That it has little value
b) That it is insignificant
c) That it can still hold great meaning to a few people
d) That it is only valuable if it is recognized by many
Answer: c) That it can still hold great meaning to a few people
Summary:
The poem "She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways" by William Wordsworth reflects on the life and death of a woman named Lucy, who lived in isolation and was largely unnoticed by the world around her. She resided near the "springs of Dove," in a natural, secluded area, away from the eyes of society. The speaker describes her as a "violet by a mossy stone," suggesting that she was as beautiful as a hidden flower, but her beauty was not recognized by many people. Her life was quiet and unremarkable to the larger world, and she had few to love or praise her. Despite her solitude, the speaker compares her beauty to a star that shines alone in the sky, implying that even though she was unnoticed by most, she had a unique and pure beauty that stood out. The poem highlights the idea that Lucy lived "unknown" to the world, and when she passed away, few people were aware of her death. However, the speaker feels the loss deeply, indicating that even the quietest and most hidden lives can have a profound impact on others. The speaker's emotional response underscores the personal value and meaning of Lucy's life to him, even though she was not recognized or celebrated by society.
Theme:
The theme of the poem is the quiet beauty and solitude of an unnoticed life. It explores the idea that a person can live in obscurity, without fame or recognition, yet still hold deep meaning and significance for those who truly see and understand them. It also touches on the pain of loss, as the speaker deeply mourns the death of Lucy, highlighting how even the most humble lives can leave a lasting impact.
Bangla Translation (Summary)
উইলিয়াম ওয়ার্ডসওয়ার্থের "সে ডুয়েট অ্যামং দ্য আনট্রোডেন ওয়েজ" কবিতাটি লুসি নামের এক মহিলার জীবন ও মৃত্যুকে প্রতিফলিত করে, যিনি বিচ্ছিন্নভাবে বাস করতেন এবং তার চারপাশের জগতের দ্বারা বেশিরভাগ ক্ষেত্রেই অলক্ষিত ছিলেন। তিনি "ঝর্ণার ঝর্ণার" কাছে বাস করতেন, সমাজের চোখ থেকে দূরে একটি প্রাকৃতিক, নির্জন এলাকায়। বক্তা তাকে "শ্যাওলা পাথরের বেগুনি" হিসাবে বর্ণনা করেছেন, যা ইঙ্গিত করে যে তিনি একটি লুকানো ফুলের মতো সুন্দর ছিলেন, কিন্তু তার সৌন্দর্য অনেক লোকের দ্বারা স্বীকৃত ছিল না। তার জীবন ছিল শান্ত এবং বৃহত্তর বিশ্বের কাছে অসাধারণ, এবং তাকে ভালোবাসা বা প্রশংসা করার মতো খুব কম লোকই ছিল। তার একাকীত্ব সত্ত্বেও, বক্তা তার সৌন্দর্যকে আকাশে একা জ্বলন্ত একটি তারার সাথে তুলনা করেছেন, যার অর্থ হল যে যদিও তিনি বেশিরভাগের দ্বারা অলক্ষিত ছিলেন, তার একটি অনন্য এবং বিশুদ্ধ সৌন্দর্য ছিল যা আলাদা ছিল। কবিতাটি এই ধারণাটি তুলে ধরে যে লুসি বিশ্বের কাছে "অজানা" জীবনযাপন করেছিলেন এবং যখন তিনি মারা যান, তখন খুব কম লোকই তার মৃত্যু সম্পর্কে সচেতন ছিলেন। যাইহোক, বক্তা গভীরভাবে ক্ষতি অনুভব করেন, ইঙ্গিত করে যে সবচেয়ে শান্ত এবং সবচেয়ে লুকানো জীবনও অন্যদের উপর গভীর প্রভাব ফেলতে পারে। বক্তার আবেগঘন প্রতিক্রিয়া লুসির জীবনের ব্যক্তিগত মূল্য এবং অর্থকে তার কাছে তুলে ধরে, যদিও সমাজ তাকে স্বীকৃতি দেয়নি বা সম্মানিত করেনি।
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Vocabulary
30 vocabulary words from the poem "She Dwelt Among the Untrodden Ways"
Word | English Meaning | Bangla Meaning | Short Example Sentence |
Dwelt | Lived or resided in a place | বাস করত | She dwelt in a small village. |
Untrodden | Not walked on or unexplored | অনচলা বা অচিহ্নিত | The path was untrodden and wild. |
Springs | Natural sources of water | প্রস্রবণ বা ঝরনা | The fresh water comes from the springs. |
Maid | A young, unmarried girl | কুমারী মেয়ে | The maid wore a beautiful dress. |
Praise | To express admiration or approval | প্রশংসা করা | The teacher praised her hard work. |
Violet | A small purple flower | বেগুনি রঙের ছোট ফুল | A violet bloomed in the garden. |
Mossy | Covered with moss (a soft green plant) | শৈবালযুক্ত | The stone was mossy and slippery. |
Stone | A small piece of rock | পাথর | He picked up a stone from the road. |
Hidden | Kept out of sight | লুকানো | The key was hidden under the mat. |
Eye | The organ used to see | চোখ | She has blue eyes. |
Fair | Beautiful or attractive | সুন্দর | She looked fair under the bright light. |
Star | A bright object in the night sky | তারা | A single star shone brightly at night. |
Shining | Giving off light or bright | উজ্জ্বল | The sun was shining brightly. |
Sky | The space above the Earth | আকাশ | Birds fly high in the sky. |
Unknown | Not known or familiar | অজানা | She was an unknown artist. |
Few | A small number | অল্প | Only a few people attended the event. |
Ceased | Stopped or came to an end | থামা বা শেষ হওয়া | The music ceased suddenly. |
Grave | A place where someone is buried | কবর | Flowers were placed on her grave. |
Difference | A way in which things are not the same | পার্থক্য | There’s a big difference between them. |
Lonely | Feeling sad from being alone | একাকী | He felt lonely in the big city. |
Gentle | Kind and soft in behavior | কোমল | She has a gentle voice. |
Flow | Move smoothly like water | প্রবাহিত হওয়া | The river flows to the sea. |
Soft | Not hard or rough | নরম | The pillow is very soft. |
Silent | Without sound | নীরব | The room was silent after the speech. |
Simple | Easy or not complicated | সহজ | It’s a simple question to answer. |
Pure | Clean and free from anything bad | বিশুদ্ধ | The water in the mountains is pure. |
Beauty | A quality that makes something attractive | সৌন্দর্য | The beauty of the sunset amazed me. |
Peace | A state of calm and quiet | শান্তি | The forest gave me a feeling of peace. |
Memories | Things remembered from the past | স্মৃতি | Childhood memories are special. |
Loss | The feeling when something is gone | ক্ষতি | He felt great loss after his friend left. |
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