Solitary Reaper

Questions Answers

Q1- Briefly describes what happened to the poet while he was traveling?

Ans. While the poet was traveling on the mountain, with his companion he saw a girl. She was singing a melodious song in her native language, the poet impressed very much with the sweet sound of the girl. He listened to her song silently and although the song was not in the poet’s language he impressed so much that he composed a poem.

Q2- Briefly describe how William Wordsworth enjoyed the song?

Ans. The girl who was singing a song while she was reaping the crop became a complete source of nature for the poet. Her attractive sound impressed the poet so much that he could not remain silent and composed a poem. Her natural sound became the source of joy for the poet who compares the song with the melodies sounds of nightingale and cuckoo. Even after the song was over and the poet approached his work he, in his imagination, enjoyed the song. It remained a source of joy for the poet in his remaining life.

Q.3 Why did the poet compare the song of the solitary reaper with those of the nightingale and the cuckoo - bird? What did he think of the maiden's song?

Ans. The poet was deeply moved by the sweet melancholic song of the Highland Lass. It was so profound that be compared it with the song of the nightingale and the cuckoo - bird. The nightingale sings to welcome weary travelers in the Arabian Desert - the maiden's singing is compared to the soothing effect of the nightingales singing on the travelers. Similarly, the cuckoo - bird's song announces the onset of spring in the Hebrides island and this singing is so pleasant that it breaks the silence of the gloomy winter - the maiden's singing has the same effect on the poet. The entire valley was overflowing with this music and the melody lingered on in the poet’s ears long after she had completed singing her song.