Student Question
In "The Lady of Shalott," what is the significance of the Lady's white dress?
Quick answer:
The Lady's white dress in "The Lady of Shalott" symbolizes innocence, purity, and spirituality, highlighting her untouched and sheltered existence. White, a color associated with virginity and simplicity, contrasts with the vibrant colors of the outside world and Sir Lancelot, underscoring her separation from life's experiences. Her dress reflects her status as a "fairy Lady," a fantastical being, unseen by mortals unless she chooses to be.
Traditionally white is the colour that denotes innocence, purity, virginity, and spirituality. It also is symbolic of reverance, simplicity, cleanliness, peace, humility, winter, goodness, etc. White is without colour, without stains, and without the imperfections of everyday life.
The Lady of Shallot is pure and a virgin since she's been magically weaving on her loom and viewing the world through a coloured and fantastical glass. She's had no access to the joys and sorrows life has to offer, so her white dress is akin to a blank slate. She is after all, referred to as the "fairy Lady of Shallot." Fantastical beings are rarely seen by mortals unless they want to be seen.
You can develop this into an essay certainly. How the colour of her dress contrasts with colours of Sir Lancelot and of the colours of the world. White would contrast with his brilliant shining, the blueness of the river, the green of the forests....
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