The rhyming is easy and, overall, the poem reads well. Clearly, the poet wanted to emphasize the beauty of the poem through song but he wanted to keep it simple. Wordsworth also utilizes several literary devices in the poem. For example, Wordsworth sets the mood and tone of the poem by describing a girl is in a field singing alone. Connotation includes what the lady might be singing about or what caused her to sing in the first place. Another example of connotation occurs with the reaper, the song, and the field. These things are very real and they are significant to the meaning of the poem. Denotation occurs as the poet describes the song as a "melancholy strain" (6) and a "vale profound" (7). The poet also alludes to the Arabian sands" (12) and the Hebrides islands. The poet wonders about both. He asks, "Will no one tell me what she sings?" (17) and he then begins to speculate on her song. Perhaps she could be singing about "old, unhappy, far-off things/and battles long ago" (19-20). It is important to note that the poet does not have to have any of his questions answered in order to appreciate what is before him.

Wordsworth also employs simile, metaphor, apostrophe, allegory, and other devices in "The Solitary Reaper." An example of simile can be seen when the poet speaks of the maiden's song "as if her song could have no ending" (26). The poet also uses a nice metaphor with the comparison of the lady to a nightingale. We also see an example of metonymy with the reaper's song and how it is like a welcome oasis for "weary bands/of travelers" (9-10). An example of apostrophe occurs when the poet breaks the poem with a question he poses to the reader in line 17. Personification takes place when the poet presents us with...

The allegory in this poem is simple - we are to stop and slow down enough to enjoy the simple things in life. Regardless of where we live, we should always take time to slow down and enjoy the beautiful things in life. These techniques occur easily in the poem, allowing us to enjoy the poem first and foremost.
The idea Wordsworth wishes to express with "The Solitary Reaper" is one of appreciation - for nature, solitude, and music. None of these things needs to be completely explained. We do not know who the lady is and we have no idea what she could be singing about or to whom she might be singing. In short, it does not matter. In fact, the song the poet hears might be more lovely because he does not have all this missing pieces to the puzzle. Things do not need to be that straightforward, says the poet. We should be open to a little mystery, which can make life beautiful. Through a series of literary devices, Wordsworth creates a poem that sets out to prove that beauty does not need language to make it so - all it needs is our attention.

Works Cited

Pottle, Frederick. "The Eye and the Object in the Poetry of Wordsworth." Gale Resource Database. http://www.infotrac.galegroup.com.Site Accessed February 25, 2008.

Wordsworth, William. The Solitary Reaper." Immortal Poem of the English Language. New York: Washngton Square Press, 1965.