The Solitary Reaper

The Solitary Reaper

Read the extracts and answer the questions that follow.

1. ‘Behold her, single in the field,

Yon solitary Highland Lass!

Reaping and singing by herself;

Stop here, or gently pass!’


a. Who does the phrase ‘Highland Lass’ refer to?

........refers to the young Scottish girl who lives in the mountains.

b. What is she doing? How does the poet emphasize the fact that

she is all alone in the field?

The young girl is singing a melodious song while reaping the corn.

The poet has used the words –single, solitary and by herself to

emphasize the fact that she is all alone in the field.

c. What does the poet say in the last line of the extract? Why?

The poet asks a passer-by to stop and listen to the young girl’s

song or pass by gently without disturbing her.

2. ‘Alone she cuts and binds the grain,

And sings a melancholy strain;

O listen! for the Vale profound

Is overflowing with the sound.’


a. Who does the pronoun ‘she’ refer to? What is she doing?

The pronoun /.... the solitary reaper who cuts and binds the stalks

of grain into sheaves.

b. What does the phrase ‘melancholy strain’ mean?

The phrase ‘melancholy strain’ means a sad song.

c. What effect does the sound have on the poet?

The poet is so taken up and enthralled by the beauty of her song

that he stands still and watches her for some time.

3. ’ No Nightingale did ever chaunt

More welcome notes to weary bands

Of travellers in some shady haunt,
Among Arabian sands:’ a. What does the poet say when he compares the girl’s song to that

of the nightingale?

The poet says that the nightingale’s melodious song eases the

fatigue of travellers who stop to rest in a shady oasis during the

course of their travels. The girl’s song is by far sweeter than the

nightingale’s soothing melody.

b. What is referred to by the word ‘notes’?

The word ‘notes’ refers to a song.

c. Identify the figure of speech in the last line of the extract.

Alliteration. The ‘a’ sound has been repeated.

3. ‘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.’

a. Why has the poet compared the cuckoo and the nightingale’s

song to the solitary reaper’s song?

The cuckoo’s song to herald the coming of spring and

nightingale’s song to relieve weary travellers in the desert are

compared to the girl’s song. The girl’s song is more melodious than

their songs.

b. What is the Hebrides?

Hebrides is a group of islands located to the north-west of

Scotland.

4. ‘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?’

a. What does the poet ask in the first line of the stanza? Why?

The poet asks someone to reveal to him the theme of the lyrics of

the song. The reaper sings in a language that is not understood by

the poet.

b. Explain ’plaintive numbers’.

The phrase plaintive numbers means refers to the song that is very

heart-rending and sad.

Answer briefly (30-40 words each)

a. What effect did the song have on the poet?

The song fascinated the poet enough to render him motionless and

still. He stood transfixed to the spot and listened to the sweet

melodious strains. He was moved by the experience and carried

the memory of the music and the beauty of the moment in his

heart for a long time afterward.

b. What is the central idea of the poem?

The central ides of the poem is that a beautiful experience

enriches our life and gives us life-long pleasure.

c. Music has the power to change a person’s frame of mind. Explain

this statement with reference to the poem.

Music has the power to influence a person’s state of mind. It

touches the senses and brings joy, peace or sadness. The poet

was so influenced by melodious song of the reaper that he

retained the memory long after he had left the scene.

d. What are the poet’s guesses about the lyrics of her song?

The poet tries to make a guess about the subject matter of the

song. He guesses that the song could be about events that took

place in the distant past but has left deep scars on her memory or

it could be about the misery and suffering brought on by battles

that were fought long ago. The song could also be about

something as ordinary as routine day to day happenings. It could

perhaps be about the death or illness of a loved one.