Symbol Analysis
If our speaker had a GPS app, Lucy's cottage would be his destination. Instead, he has to rely on a horse to get him to where he's going. Still, the horse seems to know the way, and that's good news because, when you think about it, all our speaker's hopes and dreams reside in that cottage. It's the ultimate destination for our speaker's journey and also a symbol of the peace and contentment of the love he has with Lucy. The way that the cottage is presented in the poem, however, suggests that there may be a dark side to this whole love business.
- Lines 7-8: The speaker is taking off for the cottage in these lines, although he's doing so at night. Why is he taking his trip after hours? It seems like there's something secretive or dark about these goings on. This seems to be foreshadowing that something bad might come our speaker's way.
- Lines 15-16: As the speaker climbs higher on his horse toward Lucy's "cot," or cottage, the moon sinks lower—also toward the cottage. Could there be trouble coming to paradise? (Hint: yes.)
- Lines 24-25: Just before he's gripped by his "strange fit," the moon drops from view behind the cottage. This seems symbolic of the anxiety that underlies his love for Lucy. What if she dies? Yipes.