The Solitary Reaper
—William Wordsworth (1770-1850)
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.
Theme:
Ans. The poem centres round a highland lass, ,a solitary reaper singing in Scottish dialect. The poet was extremely amazed by the sweetness of her voice and the beauty of her song. According to him, her singing is more melodious than that of cuckoo bird and nightingale. It has created an unforgettable impression upon his mind. Her song was so impressive that he could not but listen to it for some time. Afterwards when he was climbing the hill, he could not hear that song any longer. But he was still feeling the sweet vibration of that music in his heart. The sweet memory of that song became a permanent source of joy for him.
Paraphrasing
Detailed Paraphrase (Sentence-wise):
Behold her, single in the field, Yon solitary Highland Lass!
Look at her, all alone in the field, the lone Highland girl.
Reaping and singing by herself; Stop here, or gently pass!
She is cutting the crops and singing to herself. You can either stop here and listen or pass by quietly.
Alone she cuts and binds the grain, And sings a melancholy strain;
She is by herself, cutting the grain and tying it together, while singing a sad song.
O listen! for the Vale profound Is overflowing with the sound.
Listen closely, for the deep valley is filled with the sound of her voice.
No Nightingale did ever chaunt More welcome notes to weary bands Of travellers in some shady haunt, Among Arabian sands:
No nightingale ever sang such pleasant and welcoming notes to tired travelers resting under the shade in the desert, far away in Arabia.
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.
Her voice was so captivating that it was unlike anything heard from a cuckoo in spring, breaking the stillness of the seas in the farthest parts of the Hebrides (a group of islands).
Will no one tell me what she sings?— Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow For old, unhappy, far-off things, And battles long ago:
I wonder if someone can tell me what she is singing? Maybe the song is about sad things from the past, such as distant battles.
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?
Or maybe she is singing about a simpler, more familiar topic, like a current sorrow, loss, or pain, something that has happened before and could happen again.
Whate'er the theme, the Maiden sang As if her song could have no ending;
No matter what the subject was, the girl sang as if her song would never stop.
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.
I watched her sing while working, bending over her sickle. I stood still, listening. Even when I climbed the hill and could no longer hear the music, the song stayed in my heart.
Short Answer Questions
Short Answer Questions with Detailed Answers:
Who is the "solitary Highland Lass" in the poem?
The "solitary Highland Lass" refers to a young woman from the Scottish Highlands who is working alone in a field, reaping and singing. She is the central figure in the poem.
What is the mood of the girl's song in the poem?
The girl's song has a melancholy mood, filled with sadness. It reflects sorrow, loss, or perhaps memories of distant battles or events.
Why is the speaker captivated by her song?
The speaker is captivated because the girl's song is so beautiful and haunting. It is unlike any other sound he has heard, more touching than the songs of nightingales or cuckoo birds.
What does the speaker wonder about the girl's song?
The speaker wonders whether the girl's song is about past sorrows, battles, or if it is about something simpler, like current pain or loss.
What comparison is made between the girl's song and the sounds of nature?
The girl's song is compared to the songs of a nightingale and a cuckoo bird, suggesting that her voice is even more captivating and beautiful than those birds' songs.
What is the significance of the valley in the poem?
The valley is significant because it amplifies and carries the sound of the girl's voice, making it fill the space around her, as if her song echoes throughout nature.
How does the speaker feel as he listens to the girl sing?
The speaker feels moved and mesmerized. He listens quietly, feeling the deep emotion of the song even after he can no longer hear it.
Why does the speaker mention the Hebrides?
The speaker mentions the Hebrides to emphasize the distant and isolated nature of the song, likening it to the silence of the sea in far-off islands, which makes the girl's song even more extraordinary.
What does the speaker take with him after hearing the song?
The speaker takes the memory of the song with him in his heart, feeling its emotional impact long after the sound has stopped.
What is the theme of the poem?
The theme of the poem is the power of music and nature to evoke deep emotion and memories, and how a simple, solitary act can have a profound impact on the soul.
10 Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
Who is the central character in the poem?
a) The speaker
b) The Highland Lass
c) The nightingale
d) The cuckoo bird
Answer: b) The Highland Lass
What is the girl's song described as?
a) Joyful and loud
b) Melancholy and sad
c) Cheerful and uplifting
d) Angry and harsh
Answer: b) Melancholy and sad
Where is the girl working in the poem?
a) In a house
b) In a field
c) In a garden
d) In a forest
Answer: b) In a field
What does the speaker compare the girl's song to?
a) A river
b) A nightingale’s song
c) A bell’s ring
d) A mountain’s echo
Answer: b) A nightingale’s song
What does the speaker wonder about the song?
a) If it is about happiness
b) If it is about a battle
c) If it is about nature
d) If it is about the seasons
Answer: b) If it is about a battle
What does the speaker take with him after hearing the song?
a) A sense of sadness
b) The music in his heart
c) The melody of the cuckoo
d) A memory of joy
Answer: b) The music in his heart
What is the emotional tone of the poem?
a) Angry
b) Peaceful
c) Sad and reflective
d) Excited
Answer: c) Sad and reflective
Where does the girl sing?
a) In a city
b) In a desert
c) In a field
d) In a forest
Answer: c) In a field
What does the speaker do after hearing the song?
a) Closes his eyes
b) Continues his journey, carrying the music in his heart
c) Starts to sing along
d) Goes back to the girl
Answer: b) Continues his journey, carrying the music in his heart
What is the setting of the poem?
a) A dark forest
b) A sunny garden
c) A field in the Scottish Highlands
d) A beach
Answer: c) A field in the Scottish Highlands
Summary:
In "The Solitary Reaper," the speaker encounters a young Highland girl working alone in a field. She is singing a sad and melancholic song while reaping the grain. The beauty and power of her song captivate the speaker, who compares it to the songs of nightingales and cuckoos. He wonders if the song is about sorrow from the past, like old battles, or perhaps something more personal, like current grief or pain. As the speaker watches her, he is moved by the deep emotion in her voice, and the song stays with him long after he leaves. He reflects on how music, even a simple song from a solitary person, can have a lasting impact on the listener’s heart.
Theme:
The theme of "The Solitary Reaper" is the power of music and nature to evoke deep emotions. The poem highlights how a simple, solitary act, like the girl singing in the field, can have a profound effect on the soul, transcending time and place.
Bangla Translation (Summary)
"দ্য সলিটারি রিপার"-এ বক্তা এক হাইল্যান্ডের তরুণীর মুখোমুখি হন, যিনি একা মাঠে কাজ করছেন। শস্য কাটার সময় তিনি একটি বিষণ্ণ ও বিষণ্ণ গান গাইছেন। তার গানের সৌন্দর্য এবং শক্তি বক্তাকে মোহিত করে, যিনি এটিকে নাইটিঙ্গেল এবং কোকিলের গানের সাথে তুলনা করেন। তিনি ভাবছেন যে গানটি কি অতীতের দুঃখের কথা, পুরানো যুদ্ধের মতো, নাকি সম্ভবত আরও ব্যক্তিগত কিছু, যেমন বর্তমানের শোক বা বেদনা। বক্তা যখন তাকে দেখছেন, তখন তিনি তার কণ্ঠের গভীর আবেগে অনুপ্রাণিত হন এবং গানটি তার চলে যাওয়ার পরেও দীর্ঘ সময় ধরে তার সাথে থাকে। তিনি ভাবছেন যে কীভাবে সঙ্গীত, এমনকি একজন একাকী ব্যক্তির একটি সাধারণ গানও শ্রোতার হৃদয়ে স্থায়ী প্রভাব ফেলতে পারে।
Ad
Vocabulary (30 words):
Solitary - alone, single
Reaping - cutting or harvesting crops
Melancholy - sadness, sorrow
Strain - a musical composition or tune
Nightingale - a small bird known for its beautiful song
Thrilling - exciting, thrilling
Cuckoo - a type of bird with a distinctive call
Plaintive - expressing sorrow or sadness
Lay - a song or ballad
Whate'er - whatever
Theme - the central idea or subject
Lass - a young girl
Hymn - a song of praise or worship
Mournful - feeling or expressing sorrow
Echo - a sound reflected back
Bend - to move downward or lean
Vale - a valley
Sickle - a tool used for harvesting
Haunt - a place of habitation or frequent visit
Familiar - well-known or easily recognized
Stranger - unfamiliar, foreign
Jubilant - expressing joy or happiness
Silent - quiet, without sound
Exhilarating - making one feel very happy, animated
Reverberate - to echo, to resound
Profound - deep, meaningful
Awe - a feeling of wonder or reverence
Gently - softly, in a mild manner
Resonant - producing a deep, clear, full sound
Sorrow - sadness or grief
Comments