Survivor – it is the term used to describe the meager character of Simon Lee in the ballad by Wordsworth entitled Simon Lee. I believe that Wordsworth constructs much of his ballad around this very word. In the ballad the narrator gives the audience reason to believe that the world is changing around Simon Lee who no longer seems to have a place in society. Simon Lee lives upon the village commons for his master is long deceased and although he has survived through the years, his skills as a legendary huntsman have not.
But must we confine the word survivor to something living?
Lyrical Ballads, which Simon Lee can be found in, was first published in 1798 which is also the start of the Industrial Revolution in Europe. The Industrial Revolution was a feat for mankind, but disastrous to nature; a disaster that Simon Lee most likely experienced towards the end of his life time (which can be noted in the symbolism of the dead old tree). Although people and trees cannot live on forever and survive the inevitable, there is something that can – human compassion – the very thing that the stranger displayed to Simon Lee which made tears flow from his heart! I couldn’t help but think that there will always be people in this world like Simon Lee who need compassion. Therefore it is our responsibility to ensure that compassion is a trait that will survive forever. The song "Compassion" does a great job of enforcing such an idea.
This makes some very useful connections between the character and his context. One observation: technically, the industrial revolution (if that's what we want to call it) started long before 1798, though the end of the 18th century did see rapidly accelerating and more noticeable changes, so your point is valid. The idea that compassion is especially needed in such trying times is a good one!
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