'The Solitary Reaper' by William Wordsworth : An Analysis

To feel the effects of a passing tune, once it lingers on no more

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The Solitary Reaper

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.

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Summary

This poem by Wordsworth is a poem of powerful recollection and memory, with an overwhelming emotional experience of how a song sung by a nameless maiden in a field is still remembered by the persona forever. The ‘ Solitary Reaper’ is this nameless maiden who is singing while she works in the field, without minding anybody else. The persona was mesmerized and awed by her song, comparing her to song-birds and speaks of the nature of the song, as well as the impact it has on him. Although the persona walks away after a while, the song keeps playing in his mind forever, a beautiful experience.

Subject Matter

The subject matter of this poem would be the solitary nameless maiden singing while she works, and the impact felt by the persona. The persona takes us on a whirlwind tour of how the song ought to be heard across different locations, as well as in comparison to song-birds singing,

Theme

The main theme would be of memory and recollection. Wordsworth himself said that poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings, and this poem perfectly encapsulates that. The sheer song and voice of the highland lass was enough for Wordsworth to drop everything and be enchanted by her as she sang and worked, all by herself in the vast field. Thus, the theme of solitude comes into play, which then further accentuates the powerful feelings felt by the persona at hearing the song. The power and meaning of song and the maiden’s voice somehow aid in the persona’s transfiguration to different geographical locations, such as a “shady haunt” or “Among the farthest Hebrides”. The persona also states how the song is incomparable to songbirds like the Nightingale and the Cuckoo-bird. The song launches the persona into thinking about the nature of the song, about it being from a distant past or relatively recent, but confirms that it is of melancholy in nature, coinciding with the themes of memory and solitude, and also showing us that sadness is universal. Obviously, the song ended, but for the persona, it is and will always be fresh in his mind, as the song has managed to evoke his soul and being.

Literary Devices

Imagery

Visual Imagery takes centre stage in this poem, as the persona utilises imagery of nature which ties in with the main elements of Romanticism. The persona paints the picture of a vast field of grain, and the nameless maiden singing by herself in such a wide area, all alone. The imagery helps to picture the solitude and serenity felt at that moment in time. Auditory Imagery is also really evident, with the diction used such as “profound”, “overflowing with the sound”, and “chaunt” among others. Auditory imagery is used here to highlight the plethora of sounds, and how the maiden’s song overpowers the rest.

Rhyme

This poem follows the rhyme scheme : ABABCCDD. The use of end rhymes, such as “still/hill”, “chaunt/haunt”, “ending/bending”, “bore/more” aids in the already melodious poem. These end rhymes could also be said to realise the very song the maiden was singing, as its rhythm and beat is very song-like.

Rhetorical Questions

This device is usually used to emphasise a certain point in any sort of work. In this poem, it helps to realise the personas questions on the identity of the song the maiden sings. For instance, “Will no one tell me what she sings?”, “That has been, and may be again?” and “Familiar matter of to-day?” to express his inquisitiveness over the theme and meaning of the song the maiden was singing as she worked by herself.