English Literature CLEP Prep Practice Exam

Which of the following descriptions best defines the mood in Alfred Lord Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott"?

1. Joyful

2. Hopeful

3. Forlorn

4. Depressing

The correct answer is: Forlorn

The mood in "The Lady of Shalott" is best described as forlorn because the poem tells the story of a doomed woman who is trapped and isolated from the outside world. Throughout the poem, there is a sense of sadness and longing as the Lady watches the world pass by but is unable to fully participate in it. Option A, joyful, is incorrect because the poem does not have a happy or joyful tone. Option B, hopeful, is also incorrect because the Lady's fate is predetermined and there is no sense of hope for her escape. Option D, depressing, is also incorrect because while the poem is melancholic, it is not entirely depressing. The Lady's story is tragic, but it also holds a sense of beauty and wonder. Therefore, C is the best choice to describe the mood in Tennyson's "The Lady of Shalott."