Greg Facchine
AP Literature and Composition
Title analysis
11/11/09
The "Solitary Reaper"
In a poem the denotation of the title has little relevance to the poem until the connotation
of the title is considered in relation to the content of the poem. When somebody hears the title
“The Solitary Reaper” they may respond with multiple interpretations and mixed emotions. Many
times the title “Solitary Reaper” creates the image of some kind of evil creature of death that stalks
the night all by its lonesome self. This could be a possible interpretation due to the common
interpretation of a Reaper to be a phantom that harvests souls with its sythe. However, after
reading the actual poem, it is recognize that “Solitary Reaper” has a completely different
connotation and denotation. In the case of this poem, the specific denotation of “Solitary Reaper”
is used to explain what the poem is about. However the connotation of “Solitary Reaper” is used
to influence the emotions of the reader.
The denotation of the word “Solitary” is something or someone who is alone, without any
companions, and it is associated with the numeral one. The word “Solitary” is a simple adjective
that describes the quantity of something. The denotation of the word “Reaper” is, a person who
uses certain tools to cut or harvest crops. Another denotation of the word “Reaper” is less
specifically one who takes, gathers, or harvests something. Both denotations of this word can be
used to interpret the poem. In a general context, these two words have little emotional worth.
“Solitary Reaper” by itself invokes very little response in a reader.
The connotations of the words “Solitary” and “Reaping” are within the content of the
poem. In the poem, “Solitary” has a sorrowful and depressing connotation. The Speaker finds a
“Solitary Highland Lass” (line 2) who is all alone in the middle of a valley singing a very
gloomy song. The speaker uses words such as “melancholy,” (6) and “plaintive” (18) to describe
how downhearted the measures of the ballad are. The sadness of the song the girl sings can be
related to the connotation of “Solitary” because “Solitary” describes the girl. Solitude is usually
connected with loneliness, and most people relate loneliness to depression. Therefore, a common
connotation for the word “Solitary” is dismal.
The connotation of the word “Reaping” is very complex and can be interpreted multiple
ways depending on the denotation. The word “Reaper” is used because it has a specific effect that
causes a greater emotional response as compared to its synonyms such as harvester or farmer. The
word “Reaper” has an ominous, spooky, and mysterious tone. “Reaper” relates to the occupation
of the girl, who is singing the dreary song. The speaker of the poem believes the theme of the
girl’s despondent song to be about “Some natural sorrow, loss, or pain / That has been, and may
be again”(23-24). These two lines are meant to send chills down the backs of the reader. It
creates a gloomy tone that can be related to the word “Reaping” in the title. The words “sorrow,”
“loss,” and “Pain” creates a sad feeling that relates to the title. When interpreting “Reaper” it can
be imagined as a girl swinging a large scythe in the middle of a Highland Valley, while singing a
dreary song, it gives oneself a very foreboding feeling. However, it could also be understood that
the girl is a “Reaper” because she is harvesting the speaker’s heart and soul. The Highland
Reaper is drawing the man in through her alluring song. She has captivated or reaped his
awareness and attention. The poem title, “Solitary Reaper,” relates to the girl who sings a song of
sadness. Therefore the title conveys a very heartrending emotion.
“The Solitary Reaper” is about the Speaker who is traveling a path when he encounters a
girl, who is reaping the crops of a field, while she is singing a melancholy song. The speaker is
greatly attracted to the tone of the song that she sings. He does not know what she is saying, but
he still longs for the sound of the ballad. He feels a connection to the song. This could mean that
the poet is reminded of how he is a lonesome and Solitary person walking a gloomy path. The
poet has a great desire for something that may be long gone. When the poet thinks about it, it
stirs up a sorrowful emotion. The connotation of the title expresses how the poet is filled with
gloom.
The title “The Solitary Reaper” creates ominous emotions that are used to affect the
emotions of the reader. The connotation can be used to enhance the emotional outcome of the
theme of the poem. The denotation is also considered when interpreting the meaning of the title.
When the denotation and the connotation are combined it creates a deeper meaning for the title.
Work Cited
Wordsworth, William. "The Solitary Reaper." Perrines Literature. Eds. Thomas R. Arp and Greg
Johnson. N.p.: Michael Rosenberg, 2006. 1019-20. Print
Name
Topic/Title
Area
Ideas and Content
Organization
Word Choice
Sentence Fluency
Lower Order Concerns
Presentation (Research Guide)
Insight
Introduction and Conclusion
TOTAL out of 32
Date
Score
Comments
3
4
4
3
3
3
3
4
27
Comments
See comments for revisions regarding clarity and content; revise LOCs