Four Walls, Four Towers, and Some Boats

Part one of “The Lady of Shallot” provides beautiful imagery and thought-provoking symbols. Nature plays a significant role in the poem because weather, plants, and the river connect The Lady of Shalott to the outside world. The lilies around the tower on the island are in contrast to the fields of barely leading to Camelot. The lilies are beautiful while the fields of barley are monochrome. The beauty of the Lilies represents the beauty of The Lady of Shalott. Also, on the island Lord Tennyson describes four grey walls and four grey towers which seems strange. The four grey walls could represent the strength of the person or creature that is holding The Lady of the Shalott captive in the tower. Also, the walls may represent the isolation and powerlessness of women during the time that the poem was written. During this time women had little control over their lives and were treated as property. The four towers could represent the four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John who connect The Lady of Shalott to God. The Lady of Shalott might be too pure to live among sinners which is why she is isolated.  Furthermore, the boats on the river play a key role in the poem. The boats may represent the ultimate freedom that The Lady of Shalott will have in heaven and the life that has been passing her by.  Finally, the reapers are the only people who have heard The Lady of Shalott sing because of their connection to nature. The reapers plant the barely, tend to the plants, and harvest it which gives them an understanding of nature. Overall, part one of the poem is written in a way that makes it sound magical and light-hearted which is in contrast to the other three parts of the poem.