The Solitary Reaper

Poetry | William Wordsworth
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The Solitary Reaper Brief Questions

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  • What is meant by "single in the field"?
Ans. Here, the poet meant that the girl is working alone in the fields.
  • Who is the "Highland Lass"?
Ans. "Highland Lass" refers to a girl from the mountainous areas of Scotland.
  • What draws the poet's attention to the girl?
Ans. The girl's song and her melodious voice attract the poet.
  • Why is the girl called "highland lass"?
Ans. The girl is from the mountainous areas of Scotland. So, she has been addressed as a "highland lass."
  • What draws the poet's attention to the girl?
Ans. The girl is singing in a melodious voice, which draws the poet's attention.
  • What advice does the poet give the passers-by?
Ans. The poet advises the passers-by to either listen to her melodious song or go away without disturbing her.
  • What does the nightingale's song do?
Ans. The nightinga
le's song welcomes and comforts the tired travellers as they reach the oasis (A fertile spot in a desert).
  • Why has the poet compared the nightingale's song to that of the solitary reaper?
Ans. The song of the nightingale and the reaper's song have been compared by the poet as they arouse feelings of pleasure and joy.
  • Name the poetic device used by the poet in the line "Among Arabian sands".
Ans. Alliteration/synecdoche.
  • Why is the song of the cuckoo bird "so thrilling"?
Ans. The bird's song is thrilling as it signals the start of spring.
  • Explain: "Breaking the silence of the seas"?
Ans. The cuckoo bird comes back after winter. When it sings, its voice is heard over the quiet sea. It breaks the deep silence all around.
  • Name the poetic device used by the poet in "The Silence of the Seas".
Ans. Alliteration.
  • Why does the poet use the word "perhaps”?
Ans. The poet uses the word “perhaps” because he does not understand the girl’s dialect (language). So, the poet cannot be sure of what she's singing about.
  • What is the meaning of the phrase "plaintive number"?
Ans. "Plaintive number" suggests it is a sad and melancholy song.
  • What predominant emotion does the reaper's song convey?
Ans. The Reaper's song mostly conveys melancholy.
  • What is the tone of the poet in the poem?
Ans. Nostalgia and admiration.
  • What does the poet mean by "humble lay"?
Ans. A "humble lay" means a song dealing with an ordinary matter.
  • What does the poet mean by 'familiar matter of to-day'?
Ans. By “familiar matter of to-day,” the poet means something ordinary and common. He thinks the girl’s song may be about daily life or recent events.
  • Why does the poet say "Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang"? 
Ans. The poet says, "Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang" because he is unable to understand the words of the song.
  • How was the poet affected by the song?
Ans. The poet felt the song echoing in his heart even after the reaper had stopped singing.
  • Explain: "As if her song could have no ending",
Ans. The song was so melodious that it continued to echo in his heart even after the poet moved away.
  • Why did the poet listen to the song "motionless and still"?
Ans. The poet did not wish to disturb the girl who was singing. Thus, he made no movement or noise.
  • What kind of song is the girl singing?
Ans. The girl is singing a melancholy song.
  • Explain: "The music in my heart I bore"
Ans. The poet carried the memory of the song in his heart, long after the maiden stopped singing.
  • What music is the poet talking about in these lines?
Ans. The poet here is talking about the music of the girl's song.
  • What effect does this music have on the poet?
Ans. The music deeply influences the poet and makes him stop to listen.
  • How is the poet able to hear this music even after the maiden has stopped singing?
Ans. The poet remembers the song so deeply that it continues to play in his heart even after it ends.

 

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William Wordsworth
Literary Writer
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from The Solitary Reaper