The Little Girl Lost (I) Flashcards
What does the little girl lost narrate the journey of?
A young girl called Lyca, as she ventures into a wild and untamed environment, representing her transtition from the secure confines of childhood to the ambiguous territories of adulthood
What does the poem tell the story of?
A young girl who finds herself wandering into the jungle where she is lost. She is later picked up by a lion who ends up taking her from all the other naimals of the forest
What does the little girl lost illustrate?
A period of transformation from innocent childhood to the complicated ways of adulthood
What is the metre of the poem?
Trimeter
What is the rhyme Scheme
AABB
What is the rhythm of the poem?
Simplistic, jovial rhythm
What does the poem begin with?
The poem begins with the speakers vision of a future world emerging from sleep
What does Blake assume in the poem?
A prophetic voice and transcends temporal boundaries to present a world that is to come
What is the vision in TLGL(I) based on? What does it link to?
the fallen world being redeemed. Thins links to the genesis story of the fall of man
“that the earth from sleep”
The Earth is personified as being asleep. It wakes in the future from this dormant state
“Shall arise and seek…”
Implies a spiritual awakening. The personification of the earth is continued as it seeks its own creator
“Maker meek”
The “maker” (god) is described as “meek” which has connotations of being patient, quiet, kind, gentle and forgiving
“desert wild” and “garden mild”
“Desert Wild” = the wilderness (Adam and Eve cast out of the Garden of Eden)
Howeve, the wilderness is now a “garden mild” = the world has returned to a new Eden
- a place of innocence
What does hte juxtaposition of “desert wild” and “garden mild” signify?
A shift from barrenness and harshness to fertility and tranquility
What is there a suggestion of in Stanza two?
A transformation from a wild landscape to a place of sanctuary. From chaos to order.
“southern clime”
vivid description of a “souther clime” that is never ending, timeless summer creates a warm and idyllic atmosphere
“prime”
The peak of summer
What does the use of alliteration in “little lyca lay” enhance?
The musicality of the line and draws attention to the innocence and beauty of Lyca
What does the soft ‘L’ sound suggest?
That she is angelic, innocent. She represents the human soul that has been wandering
How old is Lyca?
“seven summers old”
Why are we told Lycas age?
It accentuatues her innocence and vulnerability. The speaker emphasises her youth as she wanders alone in a complex world
“She had wandered long, / Hearing wild birds’ song”
The Act of wandering, coupled with the auditory experince of wild bird’ song, intrpduces an element of exploration and a connection to nature.
What does birdsong have a connotation of?
Joy and happiness
What does Lyca appeal for?
Sleep: “Sweet sleep, come to me”
Why does luca appeal for sleep?
She is seeking solace. There is a suggestion that she is weary from her wandering. Highlights her youth and vulnerability
Where does Lyca seek refuge?
Under a tree: “underneath this tree”
What does the tree symbolise?
Nature and stability
What does lyca think about as she is falling asleep?
she thinks about her parents who are weeping. This disturns her sleep and she goes on a journey of experince
What does the rhetorical question introduce?
“do mother and father weep? / Where can Lyca sleep?” –> intrduces the parental concern. Lycas awareness of her familys feelings reveal a deeper emotional maturity.
What does the image of a little child in the wilderness evoke? Provide a quote
“‘lost in desert wild” –> evokes a powerful sense of vulnerability and isolation as lyca is in the untamed wild
What does the contrast between “Desert wild” in S6 and “Summer” in S3 create the idea of?
Transformation from an idyllic setting to the harsh reality of a desert wildnerness underscored the precariousness of innocence in the face of challenging circumstances
“How can Lyca Sleep / If her mother weep?”
The connection between lycas ability to find rest and her mothers weeping introduces a profound emotional resonance.
What do Lycas parents fears hold Lyca back from?
her parents fears and upset seem to hold her back from experince = rahter than seeing the wilderness as an opportunity
“If her heart does ache, / then let Lyca weep”
Intricacies of maternal love. Lyca longs to stay awake if her mother is suffering - shows the sacrificial nature of love
What quote shows that lyca is willing to forego her own peace to alleviate her mothers suffering?
“if her heart does ache, / then let lyca wake”
“frowning, frowning night,”
The night is personifies as frowning suggesting disapproval or severity
“desert bright” and “frowning night”
Juxtaposition = creates a vivid contrast, intensifying the sense of isolation and the harsh conditions in which Lyca finds herself
“Let the moon arise,”
Plea for the moon could be a plea for a guiding light or celstial presence in the darkness
What could the moon arising be an allusion of?
the roman godess Diana - the goddess of virginity and childbith. Lyca is being protected and watched over by Diana in this world of experience
What does the moon symbolise
Lyca moving into a new phase of womanhood and beginning menstruation
“Sleeping Lyca lay”
Sleep emphasises Lycas innocence and vulnerability.
What does “Sleeping lyca” juxtapose with?
“Beasts of Pray” –> creates a sense of threat and danger
what could “beasts of prey” represent?
Dangers in the world of experience or even sexual experience
“Caverns deep”
Caverns are often associated with hidden and remote places, emphasising the predatory nature of these creatures
“The Kingly lion stood”
Kingly suggests protector, regal, majestic, rather than a threatening beast
What is a lion typically symbolic of?
strength, courage and nobility
“Then he gambolloed round / o’er the hallowed ground.”
The kingly lions playful action and the mention of “hallowed ground convey a sense of sanctity and divine intervention
What is the lion presented as?
A guardian figure
“Leapords, tigers, play Round her as she lay;”
Softends their actions and makes the animals seem non-threatening. Sense of innocence. This introduces Lyca and the reader to a vision of experince that is not dangerous and scary
“while the lion old”
Lion is experienced and has wisdom
“Bowed his mane of gold”
Bowed = respect
Gold = regal imagery, strength
“and her bosom lick”
The interactions here become more intimate. There are sexual overtones here as the lion licks her “bosom” but this is portrayed in a gentle way. The lion is not viscious
“From his eyes of flame”
The eyes of the flame evoke a majestic and otherworldly quality, representing the divine or supernatural nature of the lion
“Ruby tears there came”
Carry multiple symbolic associations, including love, passion and protection
“While the lioness”
Metaphor of Lyca as a lioness.
“and naked they conveyed”
nakes = connotated innocence
“to caves the sleeping maid”
She is sleeping again - she has found peace - her experince has been posiotive, not freightening or negaticve.
What has Lyca managed to to ?
She has managed to (without her parents guidence) navigate her own way through the world of experince
