THE SOLITARY REAPER
5-MARK QUESTIONS
Q1. Write in your own words the substance of the poem, “The Solitary Reaper”.
Ans. Wordsworth came across a solitary girl who was reaping and singing a sad song in a
valley in the hilly regions of Scotland. The song sounded sweeter than the charming notes
sung by the Nightingale in an Arabian oasis. It was more thrilling than the heart-arresting
notes of the Cuckoo. The poet could not understand the meaning of the song of the reaper
girl. Therefore, he guessed that the song must about some sad, old incidents or about the
regular miseries of the singer. However, he carried the music in his heart only to make it
immortal in his poem.
Q2. Briefly explain the significance of the title of the poem.
Ans. In the superb lyric, “The Solitary Reaper” the focus has been laid on the supreme
sweetness of the song sung by an unknown reaper girl and its profound impact on the
poet. The lonely waif was reaping and singing simultaneously a melancholy song in a
desolate cornfield. The poet listened to her song motionlessly. As he failed to understand
the meaning of the song, he guessed that the song might about some old unhappy
incidents or about the daily oppression of the girl. In fact, the poem gyrates round the
reaper‟s song and the poet‟s emotional response to it. Hence the title is apt.
Q3. Explain the comparisons that the poet employed to bring home to the reader the
supreme sweetness of the song of the reaper girl.
Ans. To share with the reader his feelings about the song of the reaper girl the poet
employs two comparisons. First, he compares the song of the reaper girl to the hilarious
notes of the Nightingale that refreshes the exhausted travellers in an Arabian oasis. The
song of the solitary reaper is sweeter than the charming notes of the Nightingale. Second,
the song of the Highland reaper girl is more thrilling than the notes of the Cuckoo that
thrill the Hebrides into the state of wakefulness in spring. This couple of analogies
adequately reveals the sweetness of the song of the reaper girl.
Q4. What did the poet guess about the theme of the reaper girl‟s song?
Ans. As the reaper girl was singing in her local Gaelic dialect, the English poet could not
understand what she was singing about. Nobody was there at that time to help him
understand the meaning of the song. Therefore, the poet started guessing about the theme
of the song. From the sad tune of the song the poet inferred that the song might be about
some old, unhappy incidents or about natural sorrows, losses and sufferings. It might also
be about the regular oppression of the reaper girl wrought by hard struggles for bare
survival.
Q5. Write in your own words about the impact of the song on the poet.
Ans. Wordsworth was profoundly moved by the sweetly melancholy song of the solitary
reaper. He fervently requested the fellow travellers not to disturb the singer by making
any movement. He himself listened to the song spellbound. He could not move an inch.
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The whole valley seemed to be overflowing with the reaper girl‟s sad notes. The romantic
English poet was so charmed by the song that he carried the music in his heart as a source
of perpetual joy. He mounted up the hill in a trance like state.
Q6. How does the poet create an atmosphere of silence in the poem?
Ans. In the beautiful lyric, “The Solitary Reaper” Wordsworth nicely evokes an
atmosphere of silence through suggestions. The reaper girl reaps the harvest in the valley
and sings a sad song. The deluge of melody overflows the valley and captivates the poet
and his companions. The uphill flight of the song suggests that silence prevails in the
whole area.
Again, the poet describes the Hebrides in winter when the surrounding seas get
frozen and the fishermen shift to their upland camps. The entire area remains enveloped
in deep silence which, as the poet imagines, is broken by the thrilling voice of the cuckoo
bird. Thus, through subtle suggestions the poet evokes an atmosphere of silence in the
present poem under discussion.
Q7. What was the impact of the song of the reaper girl on Nature?
Ans. The poet listened to the song of the solitary reaper spell-bound. He could not move
an inch. The haunting melody of the sad song arrested his heart and soul. Similarly,
Nature was deeply moved by the „plaintive strain‟ of the solitary girl. There was no other
noise in Nature when the reaper girl was pouring out her soul in absorbing melody. Like
the poet, Nature was so profoundly affected by the song that she lay in trance for the time
being..
ONE MARK AND THREE MARK QUESTIONS:
Q1. Where did Wordsworth behold the solitary reaper?
Ans. Wordsworth came across the solitary reaper girl in a corn field in the valley of
Scotland.
Q2. How does the poet highlight the loneliness of the reaper girl?
Ans. The loneliness of the reaper girl has been depicted against the solitary backdrop of a
valley. Besides, such words as „single‟, „solitary‟ „alone‟etc. have intensified the
loneliness of the Scottish girl.
Q3. Why could not the poet understand the theme of the reaper girl‟s song?
Ans. The reaper girl was singing in the local Gaelic dialect. Therefore, the English poet
could not decipher the meaning of the song.
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Q4. “Perhaps the plaintive numbers flow”
What are the plaintive numbers? Why do they appear plaintive?
Ans. The melancholy song sung by the lonely reaper girl has been referred to here as
„plaintive numbers‟.
The song appears melancholy because it was pervaded by a sad note.
Q5. “Breaking the silence of the seas / Among the farthest Hebrides”
Who breaks the silence? Whose silence is referred to here? What is „Hebrides‟?
Ans. At the advent of spring the thrilling notes of the cuckoo bird break the silence of the
seas surrounding the Hebrides. „The Hebrides‟ is a group of islands away from the northwest coast of Scotland.
Q6. What makes the poet listen to the song enthralled?
Ans. The melancholy note of the song and the sweet voice of the reaper girl compels the
poet to listen to the song completely enthralled.
Q7. Explain the last couple of lines of the poem.
Ans. When the poet was listening to the song of the reaper girl, its sad notes were
recorded in his mind‟s lyre. The poet left the mountain with the hope that the notes would
be resounded in his mind in a state of tranquility.
Uphill
Q1. Central idea of the poem Uphill
Ans. Uphill is an allegorical poem which draws a parallel between the journey of material
life and an uphill journey. As the ascent to the hilltop involves much stress and strain, so
does the journey of life on earth. However, there is nothing to be afraid of because at the
end of that journey one will be rewarded by God. Similarly one who undertakes the uphill
journey is rewarded when one finds the inn at the summit of the hill. Therefore, we
should not be afraid of death because it is a divine reward----a portal to our eternal abode.
Q2. The significance of the Title of the poem Uphill
Ans. The poem Uphill focuses on the anxiety of a traveller as to whether he would find a
shelter at the end of the uphill journey. Through a meandering way he goes on climbing
the hill with a little bit of uncertainty in his mind. He may miss the shelter or pass by it in
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darkness. The same ambiguity disturbs our mind in course of the journey of our life on
earth. We want to be sure whether at the end of the odyssey of our life we would get a
secure shelter in heaven. The doubt disperses when we believe that the merciful God is
ready to give peace and solace to every pious soul. So, thematically and allegorically the
title of the poem is appropriate.
Q3. Comment on Rossetti‟s view of death and afterlife as revealed in the poem.
Ans. In the poem Uphill the poetess expresses her deep faith in God‟s mercy. When the
strenuous journey of our life comes to an end through death, the emancipated soul finds
shelter in heaven. Therefore, we need not worry about death. It brings us eternal solace
and peace. It is a divine embrace. It is a means of being united with the Soul of The
Almighty. It is, in fact, a great relief from the trials of material life. The state after death
is also unique because the emancipated soul gets all the rest and comfort in its eternal
abode.
Q4. Expalin the meaning of the expression “Of labour you shall find the sum”
Ans. The quoted extract epitomizes the central idea of the poem, Uphill. The pious
people believe that after death the soul comes out of our clay vesture and finds shelter in
heaven. God gives to the pious soul all the comfortable rest and peace. But, we should
remember that the extent of comfort and rest depends on the amount of labour done in the
material life. Paradisal happiness will be proportionate to this labour---nothing more,
nothing less.
Q5. “You cannot miss the inn”
Who says this? Where is the inn? Why cannot the traveller miss the inn?
Ans. The traveller who answers the questions of his companion says this.
The inn is situated at the peak of the hill the travellers are climbing up. Symbolically the
inn is the eternal abode of the emancipated souls.
After completing the journey of life, that is to say, the mundane duties, human beings die.
God shelters the pious souls in uniquely comfortable abode. A truly devout knows that
after death they would attain divine blessing and perpetual peace. It is predestined.
Therefore, even in the midst of darkness the devout would never miss the inn, a symbol
of divine peace and comfort.
Q6. Who do you think take part in the conversation?
Ans. The poem Uphill presents a conversation between two fellow travellers. One
traveller who represents the simple common man asks questions to his companion in
course of their uphill journey. The other traveller answers all the questions patiently. He
seems to be very wise. It may be that the second traveller represents the illuminated self
of the poetess or the enlightened inner self of the first traveller.
Where the Mind…….
Q1. Explain the significance of the title of the poem.
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Ans. The original Bengali poem is entitled Prarthana. The English rendering of the poem
does not have the title of its own. The first line of the poem has been chosen for its title.
The poem is actually an uninterrupted prayer breathed out of the poet‟s heart. The poet
prays to God to grant his countrymen emancipation from fear and imbecile prejudices
that have impeded the expansion of the „inner self‟ of his countrymen. The first line
adequately contains the philosophical microcosm of the poem. Hence the title is
appropriate.
Q2. Write in your own words about Tagore‟s concept of freedom.
Ans. The poem epitomises Tagore‟s concept of freedom. The poet craves for mental,
spiritual and political freedom of his compatriots. He optimistically dreams of the
emergence of a new India where pursuit of knowledge will be free to discover the greater
truth of life. India will be the paradise for all who seek truth and knowledge. The Indians
will free themselves from the insular attitude based on caste, creed, prejudice and
religion.
Q3. Write the central idea of the poem Where the Mind is Without Fear .
Ans. In Tagore‟s idealist vision, India is captured as a truly progressive country free from
baseless prejudice, casteism and religious fanaticism. The poet also wants that the fellow
citizens would direct their endeavour to bring out truth from the depth of their hearts.
They must think about life and its pursuits quite rationally. They must discard those effete
customs that impede the spiritual progress. They should enjoy the freedom of mind that
helps enlarge their hearts.
Q4. “Into that Heaven……awake.”
Explain the meaning of the quoted line.
Ans. The quoted line sums up the poet‟s prayer. The poet prays wholeheartedly for the
emergence of India as the heaven of freedom. That heaven would be inhabited by
fearless, truthful and unselfish people. They must be guided by reason in all pursuits of
life. The knowledge would be unrestricted and free from all dead habits. People would
make new attempts to explore new territories of thought and action.
Q5. “Where the clear stream of reason….. habit.”
Elucidate the meaning of the quoted extract.
Ans. The use of double metaphor has made the poet‟s message much more appealing.
Reason has been compared to „clear stream‟ and worn out habits have been compared to
„desert sand‟. The poet craves for that India where people‟s rational faculties would not
be swamped by the timeworn, illogical customs, habits and traditional convictions. That
which is not to be justified in the light of reason must be discarded because that will
choke the flow of reason.
Q6. How can a man, according to Tagore, be perfect?
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Ans. Rabindranath Tagore, the frontline Indian thinker, contends that a man may advance
towards perfection through continuous effort. He will have to free himself from the
baseless prejudices and conventions that thwart spiritual and intellectual progress. He
must devote himself to his tasks till he can reduce the flaws to an irreducible minimum.
He must not, however the circumstances may be compelling, keep himself away from
untiring effort.
Q7. “Where the mind is without fear…..high.”
What does the poet want to mean by the phrase, „the head held high‟?
Ans. The quoted expression lays emphasis on the moral courage of man. A man must
have the courage not to compromise with what threatens his self-dignity and honour. He
must not be afraid of establishing truth and reason. He must live with his head held high
in self-confidence. Rabindranath argues that every Indian must hold their heads high as
crusaders for truth. They should not live in fear with their heads bent down in servile
shame.
Nature
Q1. Write in your own words the substance of the poem, “Nature”.
Ans. When the day comes to an end, an affectionate and caring mother gently leads her
child to bed. The child goes with her half willingly because he does not want to stop
playing with his favourite toys right then. He still gazes at them. His mother‟s promise of
buying him better toys cannot solace him. Similarly, Nature, who is the mother of all,
gently leads us to the land of eternal spring taking away from us all our trivial worldly
possessions. We follow her without knowing the nature of eternity.
Q2. Justify the significance of the title of the poem.
Ans. In the octave the poet describes how a child is gently led to bed by the fond mother
at the close of the day. The mother-child image has been nicely used to illustrate the role
of Nature in the shaping of human attitudes. Towards the end of our earthly life Nature
takes away all our material possessions and leads us to the eternal world like the fond
mother. Nature‟s spiritual influence on human life has been emphasized in the poem.
Hence, the title is quite significant.
Q3. What is allegory? Do you think the poem “Nature” is all allegorical poem?
Ans. An allegory is an extended narrative which carries a second meaning along with its
surface meaning. When the surface meaning is clearly analyzed, the inner meaning comes
out spontaneously.
The poem “Nature” is an allegorical poem. Through the episode of the fond
mother and the child, the poet describes how we are led by Nature to the eternal abode at
the end of our earthly existence. Here the main focus is on the role of Nature in
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conducting man‟s journey from the phenomenal world to the world of eternity. So, the
allegorical pattern of the poem is quite obvious.
Q4. Bring out in your own words the central idea of the poem.
Ans. We are born and brought up on earth. Gradually we become too much preoccupied
with worldly possessions. We feel deep emotional attachment with this finite world.
Therefore we forget that this is all illusion. But when time is ripe for going back to our
original heavenly abode, Nature takes away all our worldly playthings and gently
prepares us for eternal rest. We leave behind all our material possessions and start the
voyage through the see of mighty time to arrive at the shore of eternity.
Q5. Show how the two parts have been connected in the poem.
Ans. In the octave of Longfellow‟s sonnet “Nature”, it has been described that a fond
mother gently leads her child to bed at the end of the day. She takes away from the child
all the toys and promises to buy him better playthings. The child follows her hesitantly
and still gazes at the broken playthings. In the same way Mother Nature leads us to the
eternal world towards the close of our earthly existence. We follow Nature leaving behind
all our worldly possessions. The poet begins the poem by using the adverb “As” and
connects the octave with the sestet by using the illative co-ordinate conjunction “So”.
Q6. “Hal willing and half reluctant….”
Why is the child half willing and half reluctant/
Ans. As the day‟s play is not yet over, the child is half reluctant and half willing to go to
bed. His mind is still occupied with the playthings lying scattered on the floor. Even the
promise of the mother to buy better toys cannot comfort him fully.
Q7. “Still gazing at them…….”
Why does the child still gaze at the playthings?
Ans. The child is so much fond of his playthings that he is not willing to part with them.
He is tired, yet he wants to continue to play. So, when his mother leads him to bed, he
gazes at them wistfully.
Q8. “Which, though more splendid……”
Why may not the splendid things please him more?
Ans. The affectionate mother persuades the child to go to bed at the day‟s end. she takes
away all his playthings one by one and makes the promise that she would buy him more
splendid playthings. But the child does not seem to be happy because he has developed a
kind of deep affection for his old toys.
Q9. “So Nature deals with us….one”
Why does Nature take our playthings?
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Ans. Towards the close of our earthly existence Nature takes away from us all our
worldly possessions symbolized here as „playthings‟ to prepare us for our final departure
from the finite world. She takes away the playthings to sever our emotional ties with
them.
Q10. “How far the unknown……”
Explain the significance of this line.
Ans. The unknown world of eternity transcends the finite world in the sense that the
eternal world provides man with eternal peace whereas in the finite world he is oppressed
with cares and anxieties.
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