Who was
the solitary reaper? What inspired the poet to write The Solitary Reaper?
The
solitary reaper was a Highland girl who was cutting the crop in the field in
the Highlands of Scotland, and whom the poet William words-worth saw in one of
his long solitary walks. The girl was working by herself in a field at the
bottom of the valley and was singing a beautiful song in a mysterious language.
Her melodious singing, which excelled the singing of the two song-birds, was
breaking the silence of the calm hills. The poet was captivated by her singing
and listened to the singing till she went away. It was the melody in her voice
that inspired the poet to write this poem.
Which
two song-birds are mentioned in the poem? What similarity does the poet find
between the birds and the solitary reaper?
The two
song-birds are nightingale and cuckoo. These birds are known for their sweet
and melodious singing. The singing of the nightingale in the Arabian deserts
fills the hearts of the tired travelers with joy as it announces the presence
of an oasis. The other song bird cuckoo is the messenger of the spring season.
It sings in the Hebrides at the onset of the spring season. So this bird too
brings joy and happiness for the dwellers of Hebrides.
The poet
feels far greater joy than the weary travelers and the people of the Hebrides
feel when they listen to the two song-birds. The singing of the girl is more
melodious than the singing of the two song-birds.
What was
“the highland lass” singing about? What assumptions did the poet make about the
burden/theme of the song?
The poet
was unable to understand the song because the highland girl was singing in a
language unfamiliar to the poet. She was singing in Gaelic, the language spoken
among the Highlanders. The poet thought that probably she was singing about
some everyday events or happenings; or she was expressing her sadness over the
battles that took place long ago; or she was grieving the loss of dear ones
through death; or she was sadly singing about some suffering that had left a
scar on her soul and that would strike again. However, there was a melancholic
touch to the song, and it left a deep impact on the poet’s heart.
Why was
William Wordsworth unable to understand her song?
The
Highland girl was singing in Gaelic, a Celtic language still spoken in the
Highlands of Scotland and the Hebrides. Being not familiar to the language,
Wordsworth was unable to understand what the girl was singing about; however he
made quite a few guesses about the theme of her song.
Briefly
describe the incident that led Wordsworth to write The Solitary Reaper?
The
solitary reaper was a Highland girl who was cutting the crop in the field in
the Highlands of Scotland, and whom the poet William words-worth saw in one of
his long solitary walks. The girl was working by herself in a field at the
bottom of the valley and was singing a beautiful song in a mysterious language.
Her melodious singing, which excelled the singing of the two song-birds, was
breaking the silence of the calm hills. It was her singing that inspired the
poet to write this poem.
What has
inspired Wordsworth to compose the poem, The Solitary Reaper?
In one
of his walks, the poet William words-worth saw a Highland girl cutting crops in
a field, surrounded by mountains, in the Highlands of Scotland. She was working
alone and was singing a beautiful song in a mysterious language. Her melodious
singing was breaking the silence of the quiet hills. The poet was captivated by
her singing, which excelled the singing of the two singing-birds cuckoo and
nightingale. He stood on the mountain –top and listened to the singing till she
went away. It was the melody in her voice that inspired the poet to write this
poem.
What
does the poet William Wordsworth mean by the given lines? Explain in your own
words
The
music in my heart I bore
Long
after it was heard no more.
The
given lines are from Wordsworth's The Solitary Reaper. In the highlands of
Scotland, the poet came across a highland girl who was reaping the crop and
singing. She was working alone and her singing was echoing in the valley. Her
singing was so melodious that the poet was reminded of the two singing birds,
cuckoo and nightingale. According to him, the pleasure he was feeling is far
greater than the pleasure people feel at the singing of these birds. The poet was captivated by her melodious voice.
He felt immense pleasure at her singing and stayed there long after she was
gone. Though the musical singing had ceased but he had it in his heart and
carried it with him. So we can say "A thing of beauty is a joy
forever."
How does
the poet compare the song of the reaper with the song of the two birds in the
poem The Solitary Reaper?
The two
birds nightingale and cuckoo are known for their sweet and melodious singing.
The singing of the nightingale in the Arabian deserts fills the hearts of the
tired travelers with joy as it announces the presence of an oasis. The other
song bird cuckoo is the messenger of the spring season. It sings in the
Hebrides at the onset of the spring season. So this bird too brings joy and
happiness for the dwellers of Hebrides. The poet feels far greater joy than the
weary travelers and the people of the Hebrides feel when they listen to the two
song-birds. The singing of the girl is more melodious than the singing of the
two song-birds.
What
does Wordsworth guess about the theme of the girl's song in the poem The
Solitary Reaper?
The poet
was unable to understand the song because the highland girl was singing in a
language unfamiliar to the poet. She was singing in Gaelic, the language spoken
among the Highlanders. The poet thought that probably she was singing about
some everyday events or happenings; or she was expressing her sadness over the
battles that took place long ago; or she was grieving the loss of dear ones
through death; or she was sadly singing about some suffering that had left a
scar on her soul and that would strike again. However, there was a melancholic
touch to the song, and it left a deep impact on the poet’s heart.
Explain
the lines:
No
nightingale did ever chaunt
More
welcome notes to weary bands
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.
In the
lines, Wordsworth exclaims with wonder for the deep rooted impacts of the song
of the Highland girl. In fact, the moving melody of the song has transported
him to the world of fairies and fantasies. He compares the song of the girl to
that of the nightingale’s melody, greeting tired travellers which immediately refreshes
them. But the girl’s song is more appealing and enchanting. The poet further
compares this song to that of cuckoo bird’s singing. The famous song bird
cuckoo is the harbinger of spring season which brings whirl and fast flow in
the icy Hebrides. The cuckoo, here stands as a life-generating and revitalizing
force. But again, the girl’s enchanting melodious song superseded the cuckoo’s
refreshing song.
Explain
the lines:
Will no
one tell me what she sings?
Perhaps
the plaintive numbers flow
For old,
unhappy, far-off things,
And
battles long ago:
Or is it
some more humble lay,
Familiar
matter of today?
Some
natural sorrow, loss, or pain,
That has
been, and may be again!
In the
lines given for explanation, Wordsworth declares his strangness for the subject
matter of the song. The song is in Gaelic language, so it remains
incomprehensible to the poet. The poet, however, makes speculations that
perhaps it is some sad song concerning some unhappy events as wars in the past.
The poet adds that the girl might be compaining for some natural sorrow or
grief; or it may be the matter of daily life. All these presumptions lead to
the fact that it is a beautiful song and it lament over the tragedy befallen
her life. The remarkable thing is that his lack of knowledge for the language
of song didn’t hinder him enjoying the touching and sublime impacts of the
song. It kept him intact till the last moment of the song went on.
Explain
the lines:
O,
listen! For the vale profound
Is
overflowing with the sound.
In the
lines, Wordsworth being over-joyed, admires the melody of th song. The moving
melody, the beat of rhyme and the harmony of rhythm have left deep-rooted
mpacts on the poet. He says that it doesn’t rejoice only the poet, but the
whole location has come under the spell of that masterpiece. The poet says that
the whole valley is flled with the raptures of the girl’s bewitching voice.
Explain
the lines:
The
music in my heart I bore
Long
after it was heard no more.
In the
lines, Wordsworth appears to be unconcerned to the theme and subject matter of
the song. The most important thing to him is the impact of the song. It seems
to him that the song could never end. He listens to the song motionless. He
climbs up the hill when the song is no longer audible. The poet preserves the
music in his heart. After sometime, when the memory of the beautiful experience
touched him, he felt a thrill of joy. The fresh wave of delight is brought
about by the recollections of that pleasant moment of the past. Though the musical
singing had ceased but he had it in his heart and carried it with him. So we
can say "A thing of beauty is a joy forever."
No comments:
Post a Comment