The Solitary Reaper Reference Context & Explanations

Reference
The lines given for explanation have been extracted from the poem entitled The Solitary Reaper, composed by William Words Worth.
About the Poet
Williams Words Worth is a poet who has developed his own immensely valuable theories concerning poetry. This is the reason why he possesses a unique and artificial style. His work shows his life long love for natural beauty, which gives hi the title Poet of Nature.
About the Poem
This poem relates to an incident, which deeply inspired the poet when he was walking alone through the barren hills of Scotland. He was fascinated by the sweet voice of a girl, who was singing a song in her native language.


Lines
Behold her, single in the field ---------------- Is overflowing with the sound
Explanation
In the above lines, which are the opening lines of the poem, the poet discloses one event of his personal experience. He tells us how enchanted he felt to see a mountain girl reaping and singing all alone in the field. He asks his companion to stop and see the young girl working alone in the field. The poet asks his companion either to stop or to pass silently, without disturbing the lovely reaper.
The poet was profoundly fascinated by the bewitching melody and her voice left an everlasting and indelible impression on the mind of the poet. He invites his readers to listen to that melodious voice. The poet found the voice of the girl scattered all over the deep valley. The deep valley is filled to overflowing with the rich straw of the music.


Lines
No Nightingale did ever chaunt ------------- Among the farthest Hebrides.
Explanation
In these lines, poet says that the musical notes of the young singer are symmetrical to the thrilling songs of the Nightingale and the Cuckoo. They were far sweeter than the humming of birds and impressed the heart deeply. The sweet melody appeals to the tired travelers of the Arabian Desert, who need relaxation after a long and monotonous journey. The voice leaves a deeper impact than the song sung by the Cuckoo birds. It gives more than just breaking the serenity and tranquility of the lonely seas.
In these lines the poet makes the competition of Solitary Reaper to the sweetest songs of Nightingale and Cuckoo birds simply to express his liking for her lovely song. The song echoes in the whole valley. He impressed the poet deeply. He therefore, compares her voice with that of sweet birds. It has magnificent effect on the poet. It is flight of his imagination.
Lines
Will no one tell me what she sings? ------------- That has been, and may be again!
Explanation
In these lines the poet tells us what song the lonely girl is singing. First of all, he thinks that perhaps it is some sad song, concerning some unhappy events as wars etc, which happened long ago. Or, the poet thinks, the highland girl is singing a song about some ordinary matter of daily life. It may be some natural sorrow, loss or pain, which has happened in the past, or is likely to be happening in the future.
In this stanza the poet puts a question whether any body could tell him as to what this girl was singing. The poet is going to make some guess work in this connection. It is also appearing that she was singing a song as if making a complaint to some body or is pointing towards something very old or a battle that happened in the past. It may also be common day affair. The poet is ignorant of the theme of the song because she was singing in unknown language. So he does not understand that song.



Lines
Whate’er the theme, the Maiden sang --------- Long after It was hear no more.
Explanation
In these lines the poet tells us how he felt when he left the place. He tells us that although he could not understand the actual subject matter of the lovely girl’s sweet song, it seemed to have no ending. At this time she kept on bending over her sickle. The poet listens to her song for quite a long time At last he was overjoyed. Then he climbed over the hill. But as he went away he could still draw pleasure form the memory of the song, which he had heard from the lovely reaper. The poet tells us that for a long time afterwards he remembered that song and enjoyed it in imagination.
In this closing stanza of poem, the poet says that the song sung by this unmarried young girl was sung in such a strain manner as it should never end. He says that he could not forget it with the passage of time. It flashes before his eyes and refreshes him even when he had left the place and could hear her voice no more; the haunting melody of the Highland girl still filled his heart.