High School

What does this poem mean?

"Pretty girl, with faraway eyes,
Why do you look with such surprise?
How did you get to be so wise,
Old girl in young-girl disguise?"

Answer :

The poem reflects on the surprising maturity and wisdom found in a young girl, a theme that is explored through various literary examples that reveal a deep inner life beneath a youthful exterior.

The poem "pretty girl, with faraway eyes, why do you look with such surprise? How did you get to be so wise, old girl in young-girl disguise" suggests a depth and mature wisdom in a young girl that belies her age. This concept of maturity and innocence is a common theme in literature, where young characters often display a profound understanding of life that surprises those around them.

In the various excerpts provided, young girls exhibit traits or instances that evoke a sense of wisdom, such as the girl whose eyes reflect thought, soul, and a strong vision of life, or the girl with the sad eyes that tell a story of innocence despite a life filled with hardships. These characters suggest that beyond their appearance, there is a complexity and depth typically attributed to those who have lived longer or have had more life experiences.

The overarching theme is the juxtaposition between youth and maturity, the external perception of a character versus their internal reality, which is often richer and more profound than what might be expected given their appearance or age.

It may mean she have a lot knowledge or she has an old soul