Answer:
Explanation:
Tennyson is saying that the woman, the "Lady of Shalott," is representing the soul of an artist, who sees the world through a lens, or in her case a mirror, and puts out an beautiful piece of work. In her words this beautiful piece of work is a tapestry "with colors gay."
When the woman turns around and actually sees the world, everything falls apart and her art is compromised because of the falling apart. Tennyson is saying that an artist is an important part of the society, but even after being so important an artist cannot have direct contact. An artist must only observe society with the help of an artist's lens and to produce successful art.
