The Lady of Shalott by James Baldwin
This poem is a retelling of the Arthurian legend, with a focus on the Lady of Shalott's isolation and her doomed love for Sir Lancelot. The narrative is presented in a lyrical and symbolic style, exploring themes of loneliness, longing, and the destructive power of desire.
By James Baldwin · First published 1842 · Genre: Poetry, Romance, Arthurian Legend · 1,528 words
First lines
I. On either side the river lie Long fields of barley and of rye, That clothe the wold and meet the sky: And through the fields the road runs by To many-towered 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 Through 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 imbowers The Lady of Shalott.
What this Textopian page supports
The Lady of Shalott is listed on Textopian as a short story by James Baldwin, dated 1842 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Short story
- Author: James Baldwin
- Date: 1842 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Romance, Arthurian Legend, Fantasy, Tragedy
- Length: 1,528 words
- Structure: 1 section, 23 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for The Lady of Shalott by James Baldwin
- Canonical title URL and first readable passage URL
- Genre and topic classification from the Textopian catalog
- Readability and classroom-planning context
- Passage-specific claims should cite the exact /read/ URL for the relevant chapter or paragraph
Similar titles
- La Belle Dame Sans Merci by John Keats
- The Forsaken Merman by Matthew Arnold
- Whether My Bark Went Down At Sea by Emily Dickinson
- The White Birds by W. B. Yeats
- An Extempore by John Keats
- Sonnet To Solitude by John Keats
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, utilizing rhyme and meter to convey its narrative and themes.
- Romance — The narrative centers around themes of love and longing, particularly in relation to Sir Lancelot and the Lady of Shalott.
- Arthurian Legend — The story is set in the context of King Arthur's Camelot and involves characters from Arthurian tales.
- Fantasy — Elements of magic and curses are integral to the plot, contributing to a fantastical atmosphere.
Tags
Poem · Ballad · Arthurian Legend · Mythology · Symbolism · Allegory · Feminine Perspective · Isolation · Loneliness · Longing · Love · Death