The Solitary Reaper: William Wordsworth
The Solitary Reaper is one of WilliamWordsworth's most famous poems. One day, the poet saw a
young girl workingalone in the field. She was attractive, singing a sad song, and her voice was
musical. Her voice was more thrilling than that of a cuckoo bird. The poetcould not know the
real reason behind the sad song. The song may have been an ordinary song about the hardships
of everyday life. The poet was so affected by the melody that he stopped and returned to the field
where the young girl was working, but she was no longer there. The poet could no longer hear
the melodious voice. This is the summary of the poem.
Comprehension:
A. Answer the following questions, choosing from the options below:
1.Who was Wordsworth’s close associate in the world of literature?
a) Lord Byron b) Oscar Wilde c) Samuel Taylor Coleridge d) John Keats.
Ans: c) Samuel Taylor Coleridge
2. What is the reaper doing in the field?
a) Cutting and binding grain b) Applying manure to the crops c) Sitting under a shady tree, singing d)Planting rice saplings
Ans: a) Cutting and binding grain.
3. The poet has compared the singing of the reaper with which bird(s).
a) Cuckoo b)Nightingale c) Both of the above d) None of the above.
Ans: c) Both of the above
4. Which line in the poem indicates that the poet does not understand the lyrics of the song?
a) A voice so thrilling never was heard (b) Will no one tell me what he sings? (c) And sings a melancholy strain.
(d) Long after it was heard no more.
Ans: (b) Will no one tell me what he sings?
5.Which agricultural implement was the reaper using?
a) Spade b) Thresher c) Plough d) Sickle.
Ans: d) Sickle.
6. ‘Stop here, or gently pass.’ Who does the poet address this line to?
a) Travellers who may happen to be passing (b) Residents of the nearest village (c) Farmers working in adjoining fields
d) Children playing in the valley.
Ans: a) Travellers who may happen to be passing
7. Which word(s) in the poem indicate the reaper was singing a sad song?
a) Melancholic b) Plaintive c) Unhappy d)All of the above
Ans: d) All of the above
8. What impact did the reaper’s song have on the poet?
a) He decided to become a musician b) He bore the music in his heart for a long time c) He sponsored the reaper to a music academy.
Ans: b) He bore the music in his heart for a long time
B. Answer the following questions in 30-40 words.
1. Describe the image of the reaper as depicted by the poet.
Ans: The reaper is depicted as a solitary highland lass girl singing a sad song while reaping, cutting and binding the
grain in a field.
2. What impact is the reaper’s song having on the valley? Why does he say so?
Ans: The valley vibrates with the appealing and melodious sound of the song, and the poet finds meaning to the song and he listens to the song to his heart.
3.How do we know that the poet cannot understand the lyrics of the song?
Ans: The poet cannot understand the dialect in which the girl is singing because she is singing in her language.
4.What are the various themes that the poet speculates about the song?
Ans: The poet imagines the theme as something old and unhappy or some natural loss, sorrow, or pain. He also speculates on the power of imagination and its connection with emotion.
5.Did the reaper realise that someone was appreciating her singing? Give reasons for your answer.
Ans: No,the reaper does not realise that someone was appreciating her singing because she was alone in the field.
C. Write short notes on the following in 40-50 words.
1. The beauty of the Reaper’s song.
Ans: The poet compares the reaper’s song to that of a nightingale, the bird cuckoo. The song of the Reaper is the
expression of beauty. The song is so highly influential that every nook and corner of the valley is filled with its
melody.
2. The poet’s love of nature.
Ans: In the poem solitary reaper, nature is appreciated by the poet. He is a traveller passing through, fascinated by the passionate and mournful song of the lone reaping girl. The poet loves all-natural scenes, which are always a source of pleasure and joy.
E. Language in Use.
1. Identify at least three words fromthe poem that indicate that the reaper was alone in the field.
Ans: Solitary, Alone, herself
2. Which word in the poem has the same meaning as
a) Very deep b) Tired c) Mundane d)Beginning.
Ans: a) Very deep – profound b) Tired – weary
3.Identify at least two words fromthe poem that indicate that the reaper is a female.
Ans: Lass, Herself, Her singing.
4.Fill in the blanks with appropriateprepositions.
a) O listen! For the valeprofound is overflowing ………the sound Ans: with
b) Of travellers in some shady haunt,…… Arabiansands Ans: among
c) I saw her singing at herwork, and……….the sickle bending. Ans: over
d) I listen’d motionless and still; And, as Imounted…… the hill Ans: up