The Solitary Reaper (William Wordsworth)

Linda Arellano

Srygley, Cheryl

AP Literature

The Solitary Reaper

William Wordsworth

BEHOLD her, single in the field,

Yon solitary Highland Lass!

Reaping and singing by herself;

Stop here, or gently pass!

Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

And sings a melancholy strain;

O listen! for the Vale profound

Is overflowing with the sound.

No Nightingale did ever chaunt

More welcome notes to weary bands 10

Of travellers in some shady haunt,

Among Arabian sands:

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.

Will no one tell me what she sings?--

Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow

For old, unhappy, far-off things,

And battles long ago: 20

Or is it some more humble lay,

Familiar matter of to-day?

Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain,

That has been, and may be again?

Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang

As if her song could have no ending;

I saw her singing at her work,

And o'er the sickle bending;--

I listened, motionless and still;

And, as I mounted up the hill 30

The music in my heart I bore,

Long after it was heard no more.

1. First Impression: William Wordsworth wrote this poem about a lonely maiden who reaps the fields, thus the title of ‘The Solitary Reaper’. My first impression is that the girl which inspired this poem must’ve had a beautiful voice, so beautiful it moved the author to express his admiration in poetry. He compares the “Highland Lass” to nightingales and states that not even they can sing as beautifully as her. However he can’t understand what she sings, for he doesn’t know the theme.

2. Paraphrase:

a. Observe her, all by herself in the field,

b. Faraway lonely highland girl

c. Reaping and singing by herself;

d. Stop here, or gently pass!

e. She cuts and packages the grain alone

f. And sings a melancholy strain;

g. O listen! For the valley is filled

h. And overflowing with her chant

i. No nightingale did ever sing

j. More welcoming songs to long lines

k. Of travelers in some shady haunt

l. Among Arabian sands;

m. A voice so thrilling was never heard

n. In spring-time form the cuckoo-bird

o. Breaking the silence of the seas

p. Among the farthest Hebrides (an archipelago off of UK)

q. Will no one tell me what she sings?-

r. Perhaps the sad numbers flow

s. For old, unhappy, far-off things,

t. And battles long ago:

u. Or is it some more humble theme,

v. of a current matter?

w. Some natural sorrow, loss or pain,

x. That occurred or may have happened again?

y. Whatever the song is about, the maiden sang

z. As if her song would never end;

aa. I saw her singing at her job,

bb. And over the sickle bending;

cc. I listened, very still,

dd. And as I rode away up the hill,

ee. I carried her music in my heart,

ff. Long after I could no longer hear her.

3. Syntax and Word Choice: The author used iambic pentameter; the poem consists of 32 lines, divided into 4 stanzas of 8 lines each. The rhyme scheme is ababccdd. The poem is written in old English therefore enhancing the setting and scenery of which the poem talks about. The author carefully chose his words in order to clearly depict the impact the maiden’s song had had on him. The poem is lyrical, therefore it was written as a ballad.

4. Imagery: The central image in the poem is that of a female reaper who is collecting and packaging the grain in a large field. The images are filled with scenes from an open field of wheat perhaps. The maiden however isn’t only working, she is also singing. Her song is so beautiful that it has caught the attention of a traveler who then compares her to having a song more beautiful than the nightingale’s.

5. Figurative Language: As most of old English, the poem contains some alliterations. The poem doesn’t particularly use similes but metaphors are used to describe her voice/singing. The author also uses hyperbole to explain how her voice stretched over the entire valley. The author also uses geographic locations in the poem (Hebrides, Scotland).

6. Tone: In order for an author such as Wordsworth to write a ballad like this he must have been extremely moved by the maiden’s song. Therefore the poem greatly reflects Wordsworth’s admiration and fascination for such a beautiful voice. There is also a tone of confusion for the lack of understanding of the maiden’s song, nevertheless he reiterates his appreciation for such beautiful talent

2. Theme: The poem’s predominant theme is that of unity in solitude. The reaper, though lonely, represented the unity of her and nature. The author could feel this unity, for she expressed it with every vibrating tone of her voice and even though he couldn’t understand what she was saying he felt that connection too. The author also portrays a theme of imagination which is expressed by him mentioning to drastically different geographic locations as the Arabic desserts and the coasts of Scotland.

3. Conclusion: This poem is most likely a result of the author visiting Scotland. Here he came across a lovely maiden in the fields all alone. The reaper herself and her sweet song made a deep impression on the poet and moved him to compose these verses. The lovely singer appeared to be a part of that beautiful scene of nature, which is reflected on the poem.