The Solitary Reaper
By- William Wordsworth
TITLE: The title displays the beauty of the song of the solitary reaper, in the highlands of Scotland. The poet highlights the fact of her being alone in a field, oblivious of the world around her, deeply engrossed in her work. Her lonely presence against the backdrop of the corn field, reaping and singing, makes it all the more beautiful. Hence the poet has rightly called the poem, „The Solitary Reaper‟.
THEME : „The Solitary Reaper‟ deals with an incident in the poet‟s life when he sees a simple peasant girl working in perfect harmony with nature and almost forms an integral part of the landscape. Her song resounds in the deep valley. The poet is mesmerized by her melodious voice and stands motionless, listening to it. He carries the memories of the moment in his heart long after he hears it no more.
MESSAGE : The poem has no significant message but its implied message, is that even the most lowly individuals and ordinary situations, have a beauty about themselves, which can have a lasting effect on a sensitive heart, enjoyed and appreciated.
LITERARY DEVICE: Alliteration. Egs. ….and sings a melancholy strain („s‟ sound occurs repeatedly) …. Among Arabian Sands („a‟ sound repeated) ….. silence of the seas ( „s‟ sound repeated)
EXPLANATIONS: „shady haunt‟ means a grove of trees or oasis in the Arabian desert.
„ plaintive numbers‟ means sad song.
„weary bands‟ means groups of tired travellers.
1. Read the following extracts and answer the questions that follow:
A.
„A voice so thrilling ne‟er was heard
In spring-time from the cuckoo-bird.
Breaking the silence of the seas
Among the farthest Hebrides.‟
a) Why is the voice in the first line described as thrilling?
b) What does the poet want to convey by comparing the cuckoo-bird‟s song to that of the Solitary Reaper?
c) Why do you think the poet is exaggerating the melody of the Solitary Reaper‟s song?
d) What is the rhyme scheme used in the above stanza ?
B.
‘Alone she cuts, and binds the grain,
And sings a melancholy strain:
O listen! For the vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.‟
a) Who is „she‟ in the first line and what is she doing?
b) Give the meaning of „melancholy strain‟. Why do you think the song is called so?
c) What do you understand by the word „profound‟ in the above lines?
d) How is the poet affected by her sound?
C.
„Or is it some more humble lay,
Familiar matter of today?
Some natural sorrow, loss or pain,
That has been and may be again?‟
a) What is the poet trying to say in these lines?
b) How does the poet refer to the universal nature of sorrow in the last lines?
c) Explain: „Or is it more humble lay‟.
d) Why does the poet assume or make such guesses?
II. Answer these questions in short.
a) Why is the nightingale‟s song “a welcome song”?
b) „The Solitary Reaper‟ idealizes the peasant girl working in harmony with her surroundings. Comment.
c) What does the cuckoo do in the spring time? Why is the reaper‟s song compared with that of the bird?
d) How does the poet describe the „Solitary Reaper‟?
III. Answer these questions in 75-100 words each.
a) Why is the poet eager to know the theme of the Solitary Reaper‟s song? What different guesses does he make about its subject matter?
Please click on below link to downloadCBSE Class 9 English The Solitary Reaper Worksheet
