The Solitary Reaper

The Poem

BY [WILLIAM WORDSWORTH](https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poets/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

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:

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,

The music in my heart I bore,

Long after it was heard no more.

Author:

Wordsworth is widely acknowledged as one of the most renowned and influential poets. His focus on nature and the belief that finding joy and fulfillment lies in appreciating the simplicity of the world around us, including the beauty of birds and even a solitary reaper, a woman working in the fields.

Storyline:

This young woman, though not remarkable in her outward appearance, becomes the catalyst for the poet's imagination through her song. Her singing becomes his muse, inspiring him with its enchanting qualities. The persona is captivated by the experience of hearing this young woman at work.

Analysis:

In the first stanza, the physical presence of the young woman is established as she harvests grain. The use of the adjective "melancholy" in line 6 sets the tone of her voice, evoking a sense of sadness. The singing takes place in a valley, filling it with liquid-like overflow. In the second stanza, the persona compares the singing to the melodiousness of famous birds like the Nightingale. The young woman's voice is described as sweet and comforting, bringing peace to the listener. The persona implies that weary or troubled travelers would find solace in her song. The poet uses adjectives like "thrilling" to convey the power and impact of her song, describing it as breaking the silence of the seas even among the farthest Hebrides.

In the third stanza, the persona is filled with wonder and mystery, expressing this through rhetorical questions. He is bewildered as to why and how the experience impacted him so deeply, without finding a clear answer. In the following stanza, he gives up searching for an explanation and instead accepts the beauty and wonder of the young woman's sound. The impression left by her song remains in his heart long after she stops singing or he leaves, demonstrating the profound effect of this experience. The mention of the sickle in line 29 adds to the imagery of the reaper's work.

Arun Singh(pc)

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