We Are Seven
by William Wordsworth
A simple Child,
That lightly draws its breath,
And feels its life in every limb,
What should it know of death?I met a little cottage Girl:
She was eight years old, she said;
Her hair was thick with many a curl
That clustered round her head.She had a rustic, woodland air,
And she was wildly clad:
Her eyes were fair, and very fair;
Her beauty made me glad.“Sisters and brothers, little Maid,
How many may you be?”
“How many? Seven in all,” she said,
And wondering looked at me.“And where are they? I pray you tell.”
She answered, “Seven are we;
And two of us at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea.”“Two of us in the church‑yard lie,
My sister and my brother;
And, in the church‑yard cottage, I
Dwell near them with my mother.”“You say that two at Conway dwell,
And two are gone to sea,
Yet ye are seven! I pray you tell,
Sweet Maid, how this may be.”Then did the little Maid reply,
“Seven boys and girls are we;
Two of us in the church‑yard lie,
Beneath the church‑yard tree.”“You run about, my little Maid,
Your limbs they are alive;
If two are in the church‑yard laid,
Then ye are only five.”“Their graves are green, they may be seen,”
The little Maid replied,
“Twelve steps or more from my mother’s door,
And they are side by side.”“My stockings there I often knit,
My kerchief there I hem;
And there upon the ground I sit,
And sing a song to them.”“And often after sun‑set, Sir,
When it is light and fair,
I take my little porringer,
And eat my supper there.”“The first that died was sister Jane;
In bed she moaning lay,
Till God released her of her pain;
And then she went away.”“So in the church‑yard she was laid;
And, when the grass was dry,
Together round her grave we played,
My brother John and I.”“And when the ground was white with snow,
And I could run and slide,
My brother John was forced to go,
And he lies by her side.”“How many are you, then,” said I,
“If they two are in heaven?”
Quick was the little Maid’s reply,
“O Master! we are seven.”“But they are dead; those two are dead!
Their spirits are in heaven!”
’Twas throwing words away; for still
The little Maid would have her will,
And said, “Nay, we are seven!”
Summary of We Are Seven
The poem is a dialogue that records the speaker’s encounter with a young girl who, at eight years old, confidently states that she is one of seven siblings. She claims that two of the seven live at Conway, two have died and gone to sea, and two are buried in the church‑yard, leaving her own presence to account for the total of seven. The speaker’s logical inquiry clashes with the Maid’s unwavering belief that all seven, including herself, remain united in their shared world.
Key elements of the poem include the vivid portrayal of the Maid’s rural surroundings, the juxtaposition of living and dead family members, and the tension between reason and faith that drives the conversation.
In Depth Analysis of “We Are Seven”
Understanding the Poem’s Structure
The poem is an extended dialogue written in 19 stanzas, each containing five lines. Its structure creates a conversational rhythm that invites the reader to follow the exchange between the speaker and the little maid. This layout reflects the poem’s thematic concern with questions of identity, memory, and belief.
Exploring Key Themes
Innocence and Imagination
The Maid’s steadfast belief that she is part of a seven‑member family—despite the fact that two are buried, two have gone to sea, and two live at Conway—highlights the power of a child’s imagination. The girl’s refusal to accept death as a final end can be seen as an expression of unbridled creativity that sees the living and the dead as connected in a shared space.
Death and Remembrance
The Maid does not view the church‑yard as a place of sorrow but rather as a space where she can maintain a link with her deceased siblings. In this way, the poem frames memory as a living presence that continues to influence the present, even as the physical bodies have passed on.
The Conflict Between Logic and Intuition
The speaker’s logical argument—“two are in the church‑yard, so you are only five”—clashes with the Maid’s intuition that “seven boys and girls are we.” The tension illustrates the divide between rational counting and the emotional, symbolic significance that the Maid places on her family’s unity.
Analyzing Poetic and Literary Devices
Imagery
The poem is rich with visual detail, from the “rustic, woodland air” of the Maid to the “green graves” that “may be seen.” These images ground the dialogue in a vivid, tactile world that reinforces the Maid’s sensory experience.
Repetition
Repeated questions and answers throughout the poem create a rhythmic structure that mirrors the natural cadence of speech. This repetition emphasizes the persistence of the Maid’s belief and reinforces the thematic contrast between certainty and doubt.
Simple Language and Form
The poet deliberately uses straightforward diction and a clear form to reflect the innocence of the Maid’s perspective. This choice makes the poem accessible while still conveying complex ideas about life, death, and memory.
Symbolism
Location itself becomes symbolic. The church‑yard, traditionally associated with death, is reframed as a place of continuing connection. The Maid’s routine of knitting stockings and hemming a kerchief beside her sisters’ graves symbolizes ongoing care that extends beyond the literal realm of the living.
Quotes for Discussion and Analysis
“Their graves are green, they may be seen,”
The little Maid replied,
“Twelve steps or more from my mother’s door,
And they are side by side.”“My stockings there I often knit,
My kerchief there I hem;
And there upon the ground I sit,
And sing a song to them.”“And often after sun‑set, Sir,
When it is light and fair,
I take my little porringer,
And eat my supper there.”“The first that died was sister Jane;
In bed she moaning lay,
Till God released her of her pain;
And then she went away.”“But they are dead; those two are dead!
Their spirits are in heaven!”
’Twas throwing words away; for still
The little Maid would have her will,
And said, “Nay, we are seven!”
Key things to understand about the poem:
- Authorial Context – William Wordsworth wrote the poem during his early literary career, reflecting his pastoral interests.
- Theme of Innocence – The Maid’s perspective is rooted in childlike wonder and unquestioning faith.
- Memory as Continuity – The poem portrays memory not as a final separation but as a continuing presence; her siblings are still with her, simply in a different location.
- Dialogue and Narrative – The extended conversation invites readers to consider the power of words and belief.