Literary Devices in the Solitary

Literary Devices in "The Solitary Reaper"

William Wordsworth's poem, "The Solitary Reaper," is an example of the poet's attraction to the humble aspects of life. By focusing on the very basic elements of the sight - a single girl in a field singing an unknown song - the poet has no choice but to appreciate only what is before him. This intense focus gives the poem greater meaning and, as a result, our minds are less likely to stray from the poet's main idea. Through a combination of literary devices, Wordsworth creates a lovely poem that expresses appreciation and art. The poem is lyrical, which is very much Wordsworth's style but it is also about nature and beauty, two other elements that are important to Wordsworth. The poet adds to the complexity and richness of the poem, by creating a captivating mood and tone. Humanity, nature, and beauty converge in this poem, making it delight to read.

One of the most powerful aspects of the poem is the setting. Frederick Pottle states that Wordsworth creates the "optimum situation: solitude, in the single human figure against the landscape with more than a hint of visionary dreariness in it; society, its affections and passions presented not directly but felt in the distanced, muted, managed form of song" (Pottle). With this very limited setting, we can see only what the poet wants us to see. Keeping this in mind, we can see how Wordsworth utilizes many literary devices to emphasize the solitary reaper and her lovely song.

Perhaps the most obvious symbol in the poem is the reaper, which is symbol of humanity. Pottle explains:

This symbol of the singing reaper will express the whole solemn mystery of human existence. The mystery of human existence: that is the first meaning of the bird metaphors of the second stanza. The song can stand for mystery because it is itself mysterious. Like the song of the nightingale and the song of the cuckoo, it is in a foreign tongue" (Pottle).

The reaper is significant in her singleness. The imagery we see here is powerful in that we see a lone lady working in an open field, "singing by herself" (Wordsworth 3). This is a moving image, even though it does not seem like much. This is the beauty of the poet - his ability to single out one small act and recognize the beauty in it. This is Wordsworth's trademark. The irony of the poem is the beauty of a song that the poet cannot define and has no idea what it is about. The poem is interesting in that it is just as much about the poet's mind as it is about nature, the reaper, and her song. All of these things operate together to create the experience. It is composed with simple language to impress upon us the simple nature of the reaper and the beauty of her simple, yet incomprehensible song. This notion is also the paradox of the poem. While the poet has no idea what words the lady is singing, he does not care because they would not have any impact on the song's beauty.

The poem is much like the song in that it is majestic and melancholy. As with Wordsworth's style, we find that there is beauty with such solitary sight and sound. The meter and rhyme scheme of each stanza in the poem is ABABCCDD in iambic tetrameter, save the first and last stanza. The poem is musical in how it reads. 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 image of the song "breaking the silence of the seas" (15). 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.