William Wordsworth:
A lawyer's son, Wordsworth was educated at Cambridge. In 1791, inspired by the Revolution, he went to France where an affair with Annette Vallon produced a daughter. His revolutionary faith broken by Napoleon's ambitions, Wordsworth was consoled by his sister Dorothy. In 1799 he went to Dove Cottage, Grasmere, and in 1802 married Mary Hutchinson. He was made Distributor of stamps for Westmoreland and Cumberland in 1813 and was appointed Poet Laureate in 1843. Whether writing long philosophical reflections in the Prelude (1850) or short pieces, as in, for instance, The Lyrical ballads (1798), he impresses by the imaginative quality of his meditation, as in his Immortality Ode:
"To me, the meanest flower that blows can give Thoughts that do often lie too deep for tears."
Idea of Poem:
This is a delightful poem by Wordsworth. During his tour of Scotland, he came across a lovely maiden at work in the fields all alone. Her lovely presence and her song in a foreign language local dialect had a deep impression and moved the poet to compose these verses. The lovely singer appeared to be a part of the beauty of Nature representing its sweetness, joy and mystery. The recollection of this happy experience became a pleasure giving permanent possession, retrievable like computer-memory. Thus:
Long after it was heard no more.
Words Meaning
Melancholy strain sad song
Vale profound deep valley
Chaunt sing
Hebrides A group of Islands off western Scotland.
Humble lay simple song.
Reference:
These lines have been taken from the poem “The Solitary Reaper” written by Wordsworth.
Context:
In this poem, the poet tells us the story of a lovely Highland Girl, who is working in a filed and singing a song. He is deeply impressed by her song and remembers the melody of her song even after he has left the place. He cannot understand the language of the song but the sad beauty of her voice goes straight to his heart. The atmosphere of the poem and the song of the girl as a part of the beauty of Nature leave a lasting impression on the mind of the poet.Stanza:
Yon solitary Highland lass;
Reaping and singing by herself;
Stop here, or gently pass.
Explanation:
Stanza:
And sings a melancholy strain;
O listen; for the Vale profound
Is overflowing with the sound.
Explanation:
Stanza:
More welcome notes to weary bands
Of travellers in some shady haunt
among Arabian sands;
Explanation:
Stanza:
In spring-time from the Cuckoo-bird.
Among the farthest Hebrides.
Will no one tell me what she sings?
Explanation:
Stanza:
for old, unhappy, far-off things,
And battles long ago.
Or is it more humble lay,
Explanation:
In these lines, the poet tells us about the language of the song. He does not understand the alien language of the song. He says will no one tell him the meaning of the song of the girl. He says that perhaps the girl is singing some sad song of the past. He guesses the language and the meaning of the song. Perhaps the girl is singing some unhappy song or singing about events that have taken place in the past. Perhaps she is singing about battles that have been fought in the far off past.Stanza:
Some natural sorrow, loss or pain.
That has been, and may be again?
Whatever the theme, the Maiden sang
Explanation:
These lines are also an expression of the un-understandable language of the song. The poet again guesses at the theme. Perhaps she is singing a simple song on some ordinary matter of the present age. Perhaps she is singing simple sorrow of loss or of some misery. Maybe she is singing for the lover who has jilted her. Probably, the incident of loss or pain has taken place in the past and it may be experienced again in the future.Stanza:
As if her song could have no ending;
I saw her singing at her work,
And o'er the sickle bending-
Explanation:
Stanza:
And, as I mounted up the hill,
The music in my heart I bore,
Long after it was heard no more
No comments:
Post a Comment